Two South Koreans return home after release from Israeli seizure of Gaza-bound vessels SEOUL, May 22 (AJP) - Two South Koreans detained after Israeli forces seized vessels bound for the Gaza Strip returned home on Friday following their release. They were Kim Dong-hyeon, who was aboard the Gaza-bound humanitarian aid vessel Kyriakos X when it was seized by the Israeli navy in international waters in the Mediterranean Sea near Cyprus last Thursday, and Kim Ah-hyun, who was aboard another vessel, Rina al Nabulsi, which was seized by Israeli forces in waters near the G May 22, 2026

AJP Watch: Samsung still unpatched as CEO and union plea exposes internal strife SEOUL, May 21 (AJP) -Samsung Electronics may have pulled back from the brink of an unprecedented general strike with a dramatic last-minute wage agreement, but the company is not yet out of trouble as internal divisions continue to simmer over a bonus structure that many employees say has shattered the sense of balance inside South Korea’s biggest company. The tentative 2026 wage agreement, reached late Wednesday after marathon negotiations involving the labor ministry, still May 21, 2026

From timid boy to war hero: India's wartime doctor honored in Korea SEOUL, May 21 (AJP) - At the unveiling of a new memorial near the heavily fortified border with North Korea, Kalpana Prasad, an Indian woman in her 40s and the grand-niece of Lt. Col. A.G. Rangaraj, recalled how her older family members spoke about their brother, who had served on the frontline during the Korean War. “His siblings rushed to tell their mother, but she refused to believe it because she still remembered him as a shy boy who was afraid to walk alone in the dark, May 21, 2026

CJ Olive Young to open first US store in Pasadena next week SEOUL, May 21 (AJP) - CJ Olive Young is set to open its first U.S. store next week, tapping into the world's largest beauty market. Located on Colorado Boulevard in Pasadena's main shopping district in California, the store is scheduled to open on May 29, along with the launch of its U.S.-only online mall. The South Korean version of America's multi-brand beauty retailer Sephora will carry more than 5,000 beauty products from about 400 health and cosmetics brand May 21, 2026

Former mimiirose member Hyori releases duet single 'Neutron Star' SEOUL, May 21 (AJP) - Hyori, former member of K-pop girl group mimiirose, has released a new duet single, "Neutron Star," with rookie vocalist Yuni, her agency Pocket7 Entertainment said Thursday. The digital single was released on major streaming platforms on May 16. Neutron Star is a ballad that uses images of the night sky and outer space to describe longing for someone who has grown distant but still exerts an emotional pull. The track pairs Hyori’s delic May 21, 2026

America-first policy to outlast Trump, says his former chief of staff SEOUL, May 21 (AJP) - Former White House chief of staff Mick Mulvaney said the “America First” brand of economic nationalism and a more restrained U.S. approach to overseas engagement are likely to remain defining features of Washington’s policy landscape long after Donald Trump leaves office. Speaking at a luncheon hosted by the American Chamber of Commerce in Korea at the Grand Hyatt Seoul, Mulvaney said protectionism and economic nationalism reflect broader stru May 21, 2026

AJP Focus: Samsung strike on hold, but shareholders see a new battle beginning SEOUL, May 21 (AJP) - The chip lines at Samsung Electronics ran uninterrupted Thursday morning. What had been dreaded as the opening day of an unprecedented 18-day walkout instead turned into relief rally on the market after labor and management reached a last-minute settlement shortly before midnight. Samsung shares surged as much as 7 percent during trading and closed at a fresh record high as markets priced out the immediate risk of production disruption at the world’s May 21, 2026

FSC to offer low-rate insurance for 10 Korean ships near Hormuz SEOUL, May 21 (AJP) - Financial Services Commission Chairman Lee Eok-won said Thursday the government will provide low-rate marine insurance for 10 vessels operated by small and midsized Korean shipping companies currently waiting near the Strait of Hormuz. Lee made the remarks during a meeting with shipping companies, policy lenders and insurers in Seoul, the fourth in a series of industry-finance meetings aimed at supporting sectors hit by the Middle East conflict. “The h May 21, 2026

KOSPI outperforms Asian peers with record point gain on Nvidia boost, Samsung labor deal SEOUL, May 21 (AJP) - South Korean stocks sharply outperformed regional peers Thursday, as Nvidia’s upbeat earnings and Samsung Electronics’ tentative labor deal triggered a powerful rally in Seoul’s chip-heavy market despite mixed trading across Asia. The KOSPI jumped 606.64 points, or 8.42 percent, to finish at 7,815.59, dwarfing other gains across Asia. Japan’s Nikkei 225 rose more than 3 percent, while Chinese and Taiwanese shares lost ground, undersco May 21, 2026

HD Korea Shipbuilding wins $1.2 bln order for 6 ammonia carriers SEOUL, May 21 (AJP) - HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering said Thursday it has signed a contract with a European shipowner to build six very large ammonia carriers. The deal is worth 1.08 trillion won ($1.2 billion), the intermediate shipbuilding holding company of HD Hyundai said in a regulatory filing. The vessels will be built by HD Hyundai Samho and delivered by the second half of 2029. With the latest order, HD Korea Shipbuilding has secured orders for 104 ve May 21, 2026