State-backed investment fund sparks frenzy as retail investors flood in SEOUL, May 22 (AJP) - A government-backed fund to invest in key strategic industries sparked a buying frenzy, with its online allocations selling out within minutes as soon as it became available on Friday. The fund, designed to invest in advanced industries such as artificial intelligence (AI) and semiconductors as part of President Lee Jae Myung's push to shift household assets away from heavy reliance on real estate and into the stock market, attracted strong demand from reta May 22, 2026

AJP Focus: Divided Samsung faces critical capex test in the AI era SEOUL, May 22 (AJP) - Samsung Electronics by March has reclaimed the top position in the global memory oligopoly after falling behind local rival SK hynix in the early race for artificial intelligence infrastructure chips, particularly high bandwidth memory (HBM). But whether the Korean tech giant can maintain that lead during the rest of AI supercycle is becoming increasingly uncertain as the company sinks deeper into internal wage conflict and spiraling compensation costs. At May 22, 2026

French-South Korea chamber unveils anniversary book at National Assembly SEOUL, May 22 (AJP) - The French-South Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry launched its 40th anniversary commemorative book at the National Assembly in Seoul, signaling a deepening of economic ties as the two nations mark 140 years of diplomatic relations. The exclusive reception gathered approximately 80 diplomats, lawmakers, and business leaders to celebrate the historical evolution of the bilateral partnership. The event, organized with the support of the South Korea-France May 22, 2026

K-pop band BTS performs for 152,000 fans at Stanford Stadium SEOUL, May 22 (AJP) - K-pop legend BTS has performed for about 152,000 fans over three days at Stanford Stadium in the United States, drawing large crowds that waved South Korean flags and sang in Korean. The performances on May 16, 17, and 19 were part of the "BTS WORLD TOUR 'ARIRANG' IN STANFORD". The concerts highlighted the group's presence in the global music scene, as they became the second musical act to headline the venue since it opened in 1921, foll May 22, 2026

South Korea bans travel to more parts of Congo as Ebola outbreak spreads SEOUL, May 22 (AJP) - A highest-level travel warning has been expanded to more parts of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) as Ebola infections continue to spread, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Friday. Taking effect from 2 p.m., travel to Ituri Province has been banned under the highest level of the four-tier overseas travel advisories amid a recent rise in Ebola-related deaths there, expanding the no-travel zone to three provinces including North Kivu and South Kivu i May 22, 2026

Samsung Biologics wins court penalty against union strike SEOUL, May 22 (AJP) - A South Korean court has ordered Samsung Biologics' labor union to pay 20 million won ($13,196) every time it violates an injunction restricting strike action at sensitive bioreactor lines, escalating a legal standoff at the world's largest contract drugmaker. Reports on Friday said the Incheon District Court granted Samsung Biologics' application for indirect compulsion against the union. The ruling reinforces an earlier injunction that bars union May 22, 2026

South Korean researchers discover limits of carbon conversion catalyst models SEOUL, May 22 (AJP) - Researchers from Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology and Korea University have identified limitations in theoretical models used to design catalysts that convert carbon dioxide into high-value chemicals. The joint research team found that current evaluation methods do not fully explain how complex compounds are formed, the prominent institute based in the central city of Daejeon said Thursday. The scientists tested the accepted theory that matc May 22, 2026

ASIA INSIGHT: With South Korea's local elections weeks away, how AI is changing political scene across Asia SEOUL, May 22 (AJP) - With South Korea's local elections less than two weeks away, the political landscape looks strikingly different from what it was just a few years ago, with voters now witnessing entirely new forms of campaigning shaped by artificial intelligence (AI) and digital technology. Loudspeaker trucks still circle neighborhoods and candidates still bow at subway stations during the morning rush, but increasingly, the real campaign is unfolding elsewhere, driven by May 22, 2026

K-culture boom fuels global rise of AI Korean-learning app SEOUL, May 22 (AJP) - Riding the global mainstreaming of K-pop, Korean dramas and streaming blockbusters, a South Korean AI language-learning startup is rapidly expanding overseas, with the U.S. emerging as one of its biggest markets. TEUIDA, a South Korean language-learning app that uses AI voice recognition to simulate conversations with native speakers, has surpassed 6 million cumulative downloads worldwide, Chief Executive Jang Ji-woong said on Tuesday at Google’s annual May 22, 2026

Starbucks Korea promotion sparks police probe, government boycott SEOUL, May 22 (AJP) - Starbucks Korea is facing a widening political and legal backlash after a marketing campaign tied to the anniversary of the 1980 Gwangju uprising triggered accusations of mocking South Korea’s democratic trauma, drawing police investigations, boycott calls and government sanctions. Chung Yong-jin and former Starbucks Korea chief executive Sohn Jung-hyun are now under police investigation following complaints accusing them of insulting victims of the May 1 May 22, 2026