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Yonhap News Summary: Search for Missing in Nepal, Samsung Union Probe, AI Project Blueprints

A roundup of major stories from Yonhap News Agency covering foreign rescue efforts, union investigations, AI project reveals, art biennale disputes, and defense exports.

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South Korea continues rescue efforts in Nepal floods, Samsung union leaders face investigation over a data leak, major tech firms unveil AI blueprints, Gwangju Biennale regrets Chinese artist withdrawal, and Hanwha Aerospace nears a defense deal with Croatia.

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Yonhap News Agency summarizes top national and international stories involving South Korean interests.

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The following is the second summary of major stories moved by Yonhap News Agency on Friday.

■ Multipronged search continues for 9 S. Koreans missing in Nepal floods

SEOUL -- Despite bad weather and rugged terrain, South Korea continued a multipronged search Friday for nine nationals and others still missing after last week's devastating floods in Nepal, the foreign ministry said.

The nine Koreans, along with local employees, were working at the Upper Trishuli-1 (UT-1) hydropower plant construction site in Nepal's Rasuwa District when massive floods and landslides struck the area near the Nepal-Tibet border on Aug. 26.

https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20260904006800315?section=national/diplomacy

■ Samsung Electronics union leaders under probe over 'union blacklist'

SEOUL -- The leader of Samsung Electronics Co.'s largest labor union and a senior union official are under investigation on suspicion of stealing the personal information of about 100,000 company employees to create a "union blacklist," information obtained by Yonhap News Agency showed Friday.

The Hwaseong Dongtan Police Station referred Choi Seung-ho, head of the Samsung Electronics labor union, and the unidentified senior union official to the prosecution without detention on charges of violating the personal information protection law, according to the information.

https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20260904008600315?section=national/national

■ (LEAD) S. Korean firms unveil plans for gov't-led AI project

SEOUL -- Three consortia each led by SK Telecom Co., KT Corp. and Kakao Corp. on Friday unveiled their blueprints for the government-led project to develop artificial intelligence (AI) services accessible to everyone.

The companies presented the details of their envisioned AI services at a press event held in central Seoul, with SK Telecom Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Jeong Jai-hun, KT CEO Park Yun-yeong and Kakao CEO Chung Shin-a attending.

https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20260904005951320?section=economy-finance/economy

■ (LEAD) Gwangju Biennale chief regrets China's withdrawal over Taiwan row

SEOUL -- The chief executive of the Gwangju Biennale on Friday expressed regret over the withdrawal of Chinese artists from the art festival following a dispute over the naming of a Taiwan exhibition space, pledging to reform the event's pavilion system to prevent future controversies.

Youn Bum-mo, the chief executive of the South Korean contemporary art exhibition, said he had wanted the artists to participate in the Chinese Pavilion until the last minute but was disappointed they ultimately pulled out.

https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20260904008451315

■ Hanwha Aerospace nearing deal to export Chunmoo rocket launchers to Croatia: sources

SEOUL -- South Korean defense firm Hanwha Aerospace Co. is nearing a deal to export its Chunmoo multiple launch rocket system (MLRS) to Croatia, industry sources said Friday.

Hanwha Aerospace has been in final negotiations with Croatia to supply 18 Chunmoo launchers and guided missiles in a deal estimated at 435.2 million euros (US$510 million), according to industry sources and Croatian media reports.