Yonhap News Summary

Yonhap News Summary

The following is the first summary of major stories moved by Yonhap News Agency on Wednesday.

■ (2nd LD) Seoul to review 'phased' contributions to U.S. initiative in Hormuz: defense chief

SEOUL -- Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back said Wednesday he has told his U.S. counterpart that Seoul will review making phased contributions to Washington's initiative in restoring safe passage in the Strait of Hormuz.

Speaking to reporters at the South Korean Embassy in Washington, Ahn said Seoul conveyed to Washington that it would "participate as a responsible member of the international community and review ways to contribute in phases" while sharing details of his discussions with his U.S. counterpart, Pete Hegseth, at the Pentagon earlier this week.

https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20260513000652315?section=national/diplomacy

Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back speaks to correspondents at the South Korean Embassy in Washington, D.C., on May 12, 2026. (Yonhap)

■ (2nd LD) Samsung Electronics' labor talks break down, raising fears of major strike

SEOUL/SEJONG -- Samsung Electronics Co. and its labor union failed to reach a wage agreement Wednesday, raising concerns over a major strike later this month that could disrupt operations at the world's largest memory chipmaker.

The breakdown came after two days of government-led mediation talks that had been viewed as a last-ditch effort to avert the strike scheduled for May 21.

https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20260513000352315?section=national/national

■ (LEAD) Court to hold additional mediation session on SK Group chairman's divorce settlement case

SEOUL -- An appellate court on Wednesday decided to schedule an additional mediation hearing in the high-profile divorce settlement case between SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won and his former wife, Roh Soh-yeong.

The Seoul High Court made the decision in a mediation session between the two sides that lasted about an hour. The court is said to have only heard their respective positions, deciding to hold another session at an early date.

https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20260513006152315

■ (2nd LD) S. Korea adds 74,000 jobs in April, lowest in 16 months

SEOUL -- South Korea added 74,000 jobs in April, marking the slowest growth in 16 months in the aftermath of the Middle East conflict, which led to higher oil prices and weaker consumers' sentiment, data showed Wednesday.

The number of employed people came to 28.96 million in April, compared with 28.88 million a year earlier, according to data from the Ministry of Data and Statistics.

https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20260513001252320?section=economy-finance/economy

■ Bessent arrives in S. Korea ahead of U.S.-China summit

SEOUL -- U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent arrived in South Korea on Wednesday for talks with a Chinese official ahead of a high-stakes summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing.

Bessent landed at Incheon International Airport, west of Seoul, on a private jet from Japan and left the building through a VIP exit.

https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20260513002800315?section=national/diplomacy

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