KOSPI closes at fresh record as Korea defies broader Asia weakness SEOUL, May 08 (AJP) - South Korea's benchmark KOSPI index closed at an all-time high for a fourth consecutive session on Friday. Domestic investors absorbed a significant sell-off by foreign funds as geopolitical tensions in the Middle East rattled regional markets. The index edged up 0.1 percent to finish at a record 7,498.0. It fluctuated during the day between a low of 7,318.96 and an intraday record of 7,511.01. Regional sentiment soured following reports of renewed mil May 8, 2026

Hybe artists BTS, TWX and ILLIT sweep music charts in China, Japan and US SEOUL, May 08 (AJP) - Hybe artists swept the top positions in international music rankings for the final week of April, securing the first through third spots in China, Japan, and the United States. According to data released by Hanteo Chart on May 8, South Korean acts including BTS, TWS, and ILLIT led the charts in these major global markets. The results demonstrate the broad reach of the South Korean entertainment conglomerate across different regions and sub-labels. The data su May 8, 2026

SK hynix pledges 'water positive' future starting with salmon route fix SEOUL, May 08 (AJP) - South Korean chipmaker giant SK hynix inc. has signed a multilateral agreement with the government and local authorities to restore the aquatic ecosystem of Namdaecheon Stream, a move aimed at reviving the country’s largest salmon spawning ground. Under the "Water Positive" initiative, the memory chipmaker will cooperate with the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment and the Gangwon provincial government to modernize aging weirs that hav May 8, 2026

BIGBANG member Taeyang releases first full-length album in nine years SEOUL, May 08 (AJP) - K-pop legend BIGBANG Taeyang is set to release his fourth full-length album alongside a dedicated exhibition on May 18, the 37-year-old's agency said Friday. The record, titled Quintessence, arrives as the performer's first studio album in approximately nine years. The BIGBANG member's exhibition will be held at the Working With Friend gallery in the Yongsan District near central Seoul. The exhibition is designed to offer an immersive, multi-senso May 8, 2026

KT fined for failing to properly inform customers over phone pre-orders SEOUL, May 8 (AJP) - Telecom provider KT was fined 640 million won (about US$460,000) for failing to properly inform customers about available benefits and subscription-related terms when accepting pre-orders for Samsung's handsets in January last year, the Korea Media and Communications Commission said on Friday. After a meeting at the government complex in Gwacheon in Gyeonggi Province, the communications watchdog decided to impose the fine along with corrective orders, citi May 8, 2026

S. Korea expands drone security push with Army pact, coastal test site SEOUL, May 08 (AJP) - South Korea is expanding efforts to strengthen its drone security capabilities, as the National Intelligence Service signed a cooperation agreement with the Army and the government opened the country’s first integrated test site for land, sea and aerial unmanned systems. The moves reflect Seoul’s push to turn lessons from overseas battlefields into practical drone operations at home, as unmanned systems play a growing role in both military and publi May 8, 2026

Seoul imposes 30-day taxi suspensions, but deeper issues remain SEOUL, May 08 (AJP) - “I thought that was just the normal price at first,” said Teo, a 28-year-old Singaporean who visited Seoul last month after paying around 50,000 won ($36) for a roughly 20-minute taxi ride from Seoul station to his hotel. South Korea will suspend taxi drivers for 30 days from their very first violation if they are caught overcharging foreign passengers, as authorities move to curb mounting complaints from overseas visitors. However, experts say to May 8, 2026

YG doubles operating profit Q1 on year on BLACKPINK comeback SEOUL, May 08 (AJP) - South Korea’s K-pop powerhouse YG Entertainment more than doubled first-quarter operating profit as revenue from BLACKPINK and rising contributions from younger artists boosted earnings, reinforcing expectations for a stronger comeback cycle this year despite weaker-than-expected net profit. According to its earnings report released Thursday, YG Entertainment posted an operating profit of 19.4 billion won ($13.2 million) in the January-March period, up May 8, 2026

Samsung Elec management, union to sit down at govt mediation SEOUL, May 08 (AJP) - Samsung Electronics and its union agreed to meet next week to iron out differences and possibly avert a full-scale strike scheduled for May 21, after the South Korean government stepped in amid fears that labor unrest could undermine a key pillar sustaining the economy and the stock market rally. The Samsung Electronics Labor Union (SELU) announced Friday it will enter a formal "post-mediation" process, with intensive negotiations scheduled for May May 8, 2026

New Zealand ambassador hosts Māori culture night in Seoul SEOUL, May 08 (AJP) - New Zealand Ambassador Dawn Bennet hosted an evening of traditional Māori performance at her Seoul residence on Thursday, emphasizing the deep-seated societal parallels between New Zealand and South Korea. The event brought together influential guests to witness indigenous cultural displays, signaling a continued commitment to soft-power diplomacy between the two nations. The two nations share a history that predates their modern economic ties, beginning with May 8, 2026