Yonhap News Agency Major Stories Summary

■ (2nd LD) Court mostly grants Samsung Electronics' injunction request against union strike

SUWON -- A court on Monday largely granted Samsung Electronics Co.'s request for an injunction against a general strike threatened by its unionized workers, in a blow to the planned collective action.

The Suwon District Court said staffing and operations must be maintained at normal levels during the strike to prevent potential damage to the company's safety-related and other facilities, and products, just three days before the start of the union's planned 18-day strike.

https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20260518005152315

■ (2nd LD) Lee says 1980 pro-democracy movement was reborn in thwarting 2024 martial law forces

SEOUL -- President Lee Jae Myung said Monday the solidarity demonstrated during the 1980 pro-democracy movement in the southern city of Gwangju was revived in the public's efforts to thwart the 2024 martial law attempt and safeguard democracy.

Lee made the remarks at a ceremony in Gwangju commemorating the May 18 democratization movement, during which civilians stood up against the military junta led by then Gen. Chun Doo-hwan, who sent troops to suppress the movement. Chun later became president.

https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20260518005352315?section=national/politics

■ Labor disputes spill over to major S. Korean tech firms

SEOUL -- Labor disputes over performance-based pay and profit sharing were spilling over to major South Korean industries Monday, with companies like Samsung Biologics Co. and Kakao Corp. facing standoffs with unionized workers.

The bio arm of Samsung Group has been continuing its work-to-rule campaign, after a five-day strike held in early May, as management and the labor union failed to reach an agreement in wage negotiations.

https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20260518007000320?section=economy-finance/economy

■ S. Korea to invest over 50 bln won until 2030 to develop homegrown AI humanoids

SEOUL -- South Korea will invest 50.4 billion won (US$33.5 million) over the next five years to develop core technologies needed in artificial intelligence (AI)-based humanoid robots with universities and local tech companies, the science ministry said Monday.

The Ministry of Science and ICT held the inaugural meeting of the buildup project at the Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST) in Seoul, the ministry said.

https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20260518005800320?section=economy-finance/economy

■ (LEAD) Unification white paper pivots to peaceful 'two-state' coexistence with N. Korea

SEOUL -- The Lee Jae Myung government has shifted its focus to a peaceful "two-state" coexistence with North Korea, rather than pressure and confrontation, the unification ministry's white paper showed Monday, striking a markedly different tone from its predecessor.

The annual paper reflects the push by the Lee government, which took office in June last year, to repair the strained inter-Korean relationship based on building mutual trust.

https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20260518004051315

■ Official campaigning for June 3 local elections to begin Thursday

SEOUL -- Official campaigning for the June 3 local elections and parliamentary by-elections will begin this week, the election watchdog said Monday.

The 13-day campaign period will begin Thursday and last until the eve of the elections, with only limited forms of electioneering permitted before the official campaign period begins, according to the National Election Commission.