All articles tagged with #south korea
North Korea launched several projectiles, including at least one short-range ballistic missile, from near Chongju and hitting waters off the west coast after traveling about 80 km; it was the first missile test since April. Seoul urged Pyongyang to respond to peace overtures and reaffirmed its goal of complete denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula through a phased, internationally coordinated approach.
North Korea fired a short-range ballistic missile and other projectiles toward the Yellow Sea, the latest in a string of weapons demonstrations this year, with South Korea and the United States keeping a high readiness to deter provocations.
South Korea plans to launch its first-ever single-stock leveraged ETFs linked to Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix, aiming to deliver twice the daily moves of these chipmakers. Analysts expect strong retail demand but warn the products could amplify volatility and concentration risk in the Kospi, with regulators cautioning about potential losses as volatility remains elevated. The move underscores the AI stock rally’s influence on retail trading in Korea.
In Suwon, North Korea defeated South Korea 2-1 in a rare inter-Korean women’s match, with players remaining stone-faced despite the victory, illustrating the limits of sports diplomacy amid eight years since the teams last met on southern soil.
South Korea’s president denounced Israel’s detention of a Korean activist aboard the Gaza flotilla intercepted by Israeli forces, calling the seizure a violation of international norms and questioning the legal basis. He raised the issue of Netanyahu’s status amid an ICC arrest warrant and suggested he could face arrest if he enters South Korea, signaling heightened diplomatic tension over the incident.
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung said Seoul should consider the ICC arrest warrants for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, while condemning Israel’s seizure of a Gaza-bound flotilla carrying South Korean activists. He questioned the legal basis for intercepting the ships and highlighted international norms, noting that many European countries have issued warrants for Netanyahu. The flotilla, part of ongoing Gaza-relief efforts, involved participants from multiple countries and followed earlier Israeli actions against aid shipments to Gaza.
Samsung Electronics’ 70,000-strong union and management struck a late pay deal, averting a strike that could have disrupted Korea’s economy and the global AI hardware boom; after ministerial mediation, the agreement was reached around 10:30 pm - just 90 minutes before the deadline. The package grants semiconductor workers 10.5% of operating profits (up from 10%), adds a new bonus pool split by division and unit performance, and delivers an average wage rise of 6.2%, with bonuses tied to annual operating profits of 200 trillion won (2026–2028) and 100 trillion thereafter. Shares rose about 8%, and a union vote by May 27 will confirm the deal; some workers felt the agreement could have been stronger. The deal underscores Samsung’s central role in Korea’s exports and the global AI supply chain.
The Michael Jackson biopic Michael led the South Korean box office for the May 15–17 weekend, taking about $3.6 million from 470,375 admissions for a 51.0% market share and pushing its local total to $4.8 million from 647,916 admissions since its May 13 launch; other top titles included The Devil Wears Prada 2, The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, and Salmokji: Whispering Water, with the weekend box office totaling around $6.8 million as the market recovers.
North Korea’s Naegohyang Women’s FC touched down at Incheon Airport ahead of the AFC Women’s Champions League semifinals in Incheon, South Korea, with South Korean activists welcoming the team—highlighting cross-border sports diplomacy during a regional competition.
South Korea's KOSPI briefly hit a record around 8,046 before reversing to fall more than 2% as Trump signalled less patience with Iran, lifting oil and pulling US futures lower; the index remains on track for a sixth straight weekly gain despite the intraday selloff.
A South Korean user claims a Samsung Galaxy S24 exploded in their hand while being used to browse the internet (not charging) on May 11, 2026. The battery reportedly swelled, emitted smoke, and caused minor burn blisters. Fire officials found signs consistent with lithium battery ignition. Samsung has not commented publicly, but the user says a Samsung service center director reached out and the device will be inspected to determine the cause, as no prior damage was reported.
South Korea’s Blue House condemned the attack on a cargo ship operated by a Korean shipper in the Strait of Hormuz and said it would respond once the attacker is identified, following forensic analysis that found damage to the vessel’s engine room. Tehran has denied involvement, while the U.S. has urged Seoul to join efforts to secure shipping through the strait.
A humanoid robot named Gabi was ordained as a Buddhist monk at Seoul’s Jogye Temple, marking the first time a robot takes vows and leads in a Buddhist ceremony. Gabi received the Five Precepts—crafted with Gemini and ChatGPT—and pledged devotion to Buddhism, reflecting Korea’s push to integrate AI into society and keep Buddhism relevant amid shrinking adherents.
North Korea revised its constitution to drop the aim of reunifying with the South, defining the DPRK as a separate state with borders extending to China and Russia in the north and the Republic of Korea in the south. The changes remove references to the old founding constitution and give Kim Jong Un expanded authority over nuclear decisions, signaling a move to present Pyongyang as a normal state while the government has not issued an official response.
North Korea has deleted references to reunification with the South from its constitution and added a clause defining its territory, a move Seoul says signals a harder line toward the South after Kim Jong Un labeled Seoul the 'most hostile state.' The revision, reportedly introduced in March, accompanies Pyongyang's closer alignment with Russia and China and recent missile tests, while South Korea pursues talks with no preconditions.