Samsung leads Q1 smartphone markets in LatAm, Middle East, SE Asia SEOUL, May 25 (AJP) - Samsung Electronics retained its top position in smartphone market share across Latin America, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia in the first quarter of 2026, despite a broader global market slowdown and rising memory costs. In Latin America, Samsung shipped 12.9 million units, reflecting a 9 percent year-on-year increase and securing a 37 percent market share. This marks the company's highest quarterly share in the region since the first quarter of May 25, 2026

AJP Focus: Uncertain weekend for Iran deal that leaves much to be desired SEOUL, May 25 (AJP) - President Donald Trump’s warning on Sunday that U.S. negotiators should “not rush into a deal” with Iran underscored growing doubts over an emerging framework agreement that could reopen the Strait of Hormuz while leaving many of the Middle East conflict’s most dangerous questions unresolved. The remarks came soon after Washington officials said a deal with Tehran had been “largely negotiated” aimed at ending the war that e May 25, 2026

How wishes rise from cliff-side temple on Buddha's birthday SEOUL, May 24 (AJP) - Lotus lanterns glowed across South Korea on Sunday as temples filled with worshippers marking Buddha's Birthday, one of the country’s most widely observed religious celebrations and a day centered on compassion, reflection and prayer. At Hyangiram Hermitage in the southern coastal city of Yeosu, visitors climbed steep stone stairways beneath rows of colorful lanterns hung in honor of the birth of Siddhartha Gautama, the founder of Buddhism. The May 25, 2026

Police locate missing foreign national hiker in Korea after safe return home SEOUL, May 24 (AJP) -A woman believed to be a foreign national who was feared missing on Mount Cheolma after reporting that she had lost her way while hiking had safely returned home, authorities said Sunday, ending a two-day intensive search operation. According to the Gyeonggi Northern Fire and Disaster Headquarters, police located the woman at her residence in Seoul’s Gangbuk district at 10:51 a.m. Sunday. Officials said she was found in stable condition with no apparent in May 24, 2026

Hormuz reopening nears, but energy aftershocks to hit hard on Asia for months SEOUL, May 24 (AJP) -A draft framework between the United States and Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz is nearing finalization, Washington claims, offering hopes for relief from one of the worst energy supply disruptions in recent years. But for energy-dependent Asian economies including South Korea, the shock is far from over as crude shipments from the Gulf still require weeks to reach refineries even after maritime traffic resumes. U.S. President Donald Trump said Saturda May 24, 2026

Lanterns adorn temples nationwide as South Korea celebrates Buddha's Birthday SEOUL, May 24 (AJP) - Buddhist temples across South Korea held celebrations on Sunday for Buddha's Birthday, one of the country's major religious holidays, as lantern-lit temple grounds drew worshippers, locals and foreign tourists. The day commemorating the birth of Buddha falls on the eighth day of the fourth month of the lunar calendar and has been observed as a national holiday in South Korea since 1975. At Bongeunsa in southern Seoul, col May 24, 2026

Starbucks Korea under fire as marketing blunder spills into politics ahead of local elections SEOUL, May 24 (AJP) - Starbucks Korea has found itself at the center of a growing political and social controversy just about a week ahead of local elections slated for June 3. The American coffee chain has already thrown in the towel, pulling its marketing campaign and posting an apology on its website. Shinsegae Group, the retail conglomerate that manages Starbucks in South Korea, also sacked its chief executive Sohn Jeong-hyun for "inappropriate marketing." Shinsegae May 24, 2026

Korea's red-hot rally demands a cooler head SEOUL, May 24 (AJP) - South Korea's stock market has moved to the center of the global financial conversation. The country once defined by the "Korea discount" — that catch-all phrase for chronic undervaluation — is now one of the hottest markets that international investment banks and the financial press are watching. The Financial Times noted recently that the speed of Korea's rally has outpaced even the U.S. Nasdaq's climb during the late-1990s d May 24, 2026

Lee calls for national unity on Buddha's Birthday SEOUL, May 24 (AJP) - President Lee Jae Myung pledged to build a government that "saves people's lives" in remarks at a Buddha's Birthday ceremony at Jogyesa Temple in central Seoul on Sunday. Lee said he would "do my utmost to build a government that saves people's lives" and put into practice Buddha's teaching that "everyone is noble and equal." "The government will take Buddha's precious words as a lamp," he added May 24, 2026

Samsung faces pressure from shareholders amid union vote on tentative deal SEOUL, May 24 (AJP) - Samsung Electronics has allowed access to its register of shareholders. It comes amid growing opposition from some retail investors over a last-minute, tentative deal between management and its labor union last week that averted an 18-day strike but sparked fresh controversy over how the electronics giant distributes its unprecedented profits, fueled by an artificial intelligence-driven chip supercycle. ACT, a platform for retail shareholders, said Samsung a May 24, 2026