KOSPI rebounds as Middle East tensions show signs of easing SEOUL, May 29 (AJP) - South Korean stocks opened higher on Friday, recovering from a brief decline the previous day, as the benchmark KOSPI climbed back above 8,400 on hopes that the prolonged conflict in the Middle East could soon come to an end. The KOSPI rose 2.31 percent to 8,374.58 shortly after trading began, nearing its recent intraday high of 8,457.09. The junior KOSDAQ, however, fell 2.31 percent to 1,078.89 as investors shifted toward large-cap stocks. The rebound follo May 29, 2026

Samsung Electronics ships industry's first 12-layer HBM4E memory samples SEOUL, May 29 (AJP) - Samsung Electronics has begun shipping samples of its 12-layer HBM4E memory chips to global customers. According to the company on Friday, this is the semiconductor industry's first 12-layer HBM4E sample to be shipped. The new memory component delivers a stable pin speed of 14 gigabits-per-second (Gbps) and is capable of scaling up to 16 Gbps. This marks a performance increase of more than 20 percent compared to Samsung's previous generation of HBM4 c May 29, 2026

Celltrion begins primate trials for quad-target obesity drug SEOUL, May 29 (AJP) - Celltrion has kicked off primate toxicity trials for its next-generation obesity drug candidate CT-G32, moving the compound into the final stretch of preclinical development ahead of a planned investigational new drug (IND) submission in the first half of 2026. CT-G32 simultaneously targets four biological pathways, including GLP-1, making it what Celltrion describes as a potential first-in-class therapy. The company said the drug is designed to address persist May 29, 2026

Korea, US to open talks on nuclear submarine, uranium enrichment rights SEOUL, May 29 (AJP) - South Korea and the U.S. will hold talks in Seoul next week on implementing agreements reached by their leaders, including Seoul’s plan to build a nuclear-powered submarine, the Foreign Ministry said Friday. The meeting is scheduled to take place in Seoul from June 2 to 3 to discuss follow-up measures in the security field under the Joint Fact Sheet issued last November after the Korea-U.S. summit, according to the ministry. South Korea’s delegat May 29, 2026

Cleanup work begins after overpass collapse in Seoul SEOUL, May 29 (AJP) - The removal of remaining structures and debris from an overpass in Seosomun, western Seoul began on Friday after a partial collapse during demolition earlier this week, according to the Seoul Metropolitan Government. City officials said the operation would take more than a day including safety reinforcement, dismantling and cleanup work. Should the work proceed as planned, it is expected to be completed by early Saturday morning, allowing train services unde May 29, 2026

Samsung Elec joins Anthropic funding round, fueling expectations of foundry order SEOUL, May 29 (AJP) - Samsung Electronics has taken a stake in Anthropic, the U.S. artificial-intelligence company behind the Claude model, in a deal that has raised expectations the South Korean firm will manufacture AI chips for Anthropic through its loss-making foundry business. Anthropic said on Thursday in the United States that it had raised $65 billion in a Series H funding round that valued the company at $965 billion, or about 1,440 trillion won — figures that rank am May 29, 2026

U.S. and Iran are "within reach" of a deal, news that may uplift Asian markets SEOUL, May 29 (AJP) -The United States and Iran are “within reach” of an agreement to end the three-month war that has rattled global energy markets, and the prospect of a reopening of the Strait of Hormuz may help lift Asian stocks Friday after a broad retreat the previous session. U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Washington and Tehran “perhaps have the makings of a deal,” with negotiations centering on a 60-day framework that would gradually unwin May 29, 2026

Campus dips into May festival mood SEOUL, May 28 (AJP) - Students and visitors filled the campus of Yonsei University in western Seoul on Wednesday as university festival season continued across South Korea. Club band performances and student-run booths took place throughout the Sinchon campus near central Seoul, while students wearing school uniforms and varsity jackets moved between food stalls and performance areas, enjoying the festive atmosphere. International students were also seen joining the celebrations a May 28, 2026

Korean authorities step in to contain lodging prices ahead of BTS Busan concerts SEOUL, May 28 (AJP) -South Korean authorities moved quickly to respond to BTS' call for restraint in overcharging the group's beloved global fans traveling to the southern port city of Busan for the next stop on their worldwide tour. The government has secured more than 1,300 alternative accommodation options ahead of the concerts next month, after the group publicly criticized sharp price hikes around the event. The measures were announced Thursday at a task force mee May 28, 2026

Chinese Embassy says USFK chief 'crossed the line' with 'dagger' remarks on Korea SEOUL, May 28 (AJP) - The Chinese Embassy in Seoul has strongly criticized Gen. Xavier Brunson, commander of U.S. Forces Korea, after he described South Korea as a “dagger” in Asia from China’s strategic perspective. In a written response to reporters Thursday, the embassy said Brunson’s recent remarks portrayed South Korea and USFK as a forward base aimed at China, warning that he had “clearly crossed the line.” Brunson said in a U.S. May 28, 2026