KOSPI outperforms Asian peers with record point gain on Nvidia boost, Samsung labor deal SEOUL, May 21 (AJP) - South Korean stocks sharply outperformed regional peers Thursday, as Nvidia’s upbeat earnings and Samsung Electronics’ tentative labor deal triggered a powerful rally in Seoul’s chip-heavy market despite mixed trading across Asia. The KOSPI jumped 606.64 points, or 8.42 percent, to finish at 7,815.59, dwarfing other gains across Asia. Japan’s Nikkei 225 rose more than 3 percent, while Chinese and Taiwanese shares lost ground, undersco May 21, 2026

HD Korea Shipbuilding wins $1.2 bln order for 6 ammonia carriers SEOUL, May 21 (AJP) - HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering said Thursday it has signed a contract with a European shipowner to build six very large ammonia carriers. The deal is worth 1.08 trillion won ($1.2 billion), the intermediate shipbuilding holding company of HD Hyundai said in a regulatory filing. The vessels will be built by HD Hyundai Samho and delivered by the second half of 2029. With the latest order, HD Korea Shipbuilding has secured orders for 104 ve May 21, 2026

Two South Koreans released after Israeli seizure of Gaza-bound vessels SEOUL, May 21 (AJP) - Two South Koreans detained after Israeli forces seized vessels bound for the Gaza Strip have been released, Cheong Wa Dae said on Thursday. Their release comes after the Gaza-bound ship Kyriakos X, carrying humanitarian aid, was seized by the Israeli navy in international waters in the Mediterranean Sea near Cyprus last Thursday, and another vessel, Rina al Nabulsi, was seized by Israeli forces in waters near the Gaza Strip two days later, both carrying Sou May 21, 2026

Hanwha Qcells to supply modules for South Korea's largest solar project SEOUL, May 21 (AJP) - Hanwha Solutions' Qcells division announced it will supply high-efficiency solar cells and modules for a 400-megawatt solar power project being developed by Korea South-East Power (KOSEP), the largest solar installation ever built on a single site in South Korea. The plant, set to rise across about 4.63 square kilometers of land in Haenam County, South Jeolla Province, is scheduled for completion in June 2028. KOSEP selected a preferred EPC (engineering, pr May 21, 2026

NCT's Taeyong begins 'WYLD' promotions with music shows, Seoul Jazz Festival SEOUL, May 21 (AJP) - Taeyong of K-pop group NCT will perform at the Seoul Jazz Festival this week as he begins promotions for his first full-length solo album "WYLD," SM Entertainment said Thursday. The 30-year-old rapper, dancer and songwriter is the leader of NCT and its subunit NCT 127. Taeyong will perform tracks from "WYLD" at the 18th Seoul Jazz Festival 2026, which runs from May 22 to 24 at Olympic Park in Seoul. The festival has grown into one of Sout May 21, 2026

ASIA INSIGHT: Samsung dispute exposes wider risks to chip supply despite last-minute deal SEOUL, May 21 (AJP) - For the past couple of weeks, Samsung Electronics was locked in a labor dispute that, on its surface, looked like a routine clash between management and workers over wages and performance bonuses. But the tremors it sent through markets suggested something far larger was at stake, not just a labor standoff over pay but the stability of the global semiconductor supply chain. Even before a tentative agreement was reached late last night, the negotiations, describ May 21, 2026

Korean capital return to home stock market a trickle versus Wall Street rush SEOUL, May 21 (AJP) - A South Korean government account designed to lure retail capital home from overseas markets has drawn nearly 2 trillion won ($1.33 billion) in its first two months, with investors cashing out of Nvidia and Tesla to buy Samsung Electronics and SK hynix, according to the Korea Financial Investment Association Thursday. Impressive in isolation, the return however is paltry against the roughly 300 trillion won Koreans now hold in Wall Street, a record set this mo May 21, 2026

South Korea happy to stay the laggard in self-driving race in Asia SEOUL, May 21 (AJP) - The self-driving race on Asian roads is heating up, but South Korea is in no hurry as it bets safety-first approach will take it farther at the end of the day. China is rapidly scaling up commercial robotaxi fleets while Japan has unlocked Level 4 services on public roads. Modest in comparison, Hyundai Motor Group is launching a citywide testbed in Gwangju to close the gap with overseas rivals. Speaking to reporters last week at the group’s headquart May 21, 2026

aespa maps emotional journey on upcoming album 'LEMONADE' SEOUL, May 21 (AJP) - K-pop girl band aespa has introduced additional tracks from its upcoming second full-length album "LEMONADE," highlighting an emotional arc that moves through freedom, self-protection, desire and connection, SM Entertainment said Thursday. The 11-track album is set for release at 1 p.m. (0400 GMT) on May 29 through major streaming platforms and will also be available as a physical album. “LEMONADE” marks aespa’s first ful May 21, 2026

AMCHAM invites former White House acting chief of staff Mulvaney SEOUL, May 21 (AJP) - The American Chamber of Commerce in Korea hosted a special luncheon seminar at Grand Hyatt Seoul on Wednesday, inviting former White House Acting Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney to discuss the future direction of U.S. policy under a possible second Donald Trump administration. The event, titled “The Return of America First: What Trump 2.0 Means for Business and Geopolitics,” focused on shifting U.S. policy priorities, glob May 21, 2026