United News of Bangladesh

Global stock markets traded mixed on Tuesday as uncertainty over the Iran war and its impact on oil supply continued to unsettle investors. European markets opened higher, with France’s CAC 40 rising 0.6% to 8,034.62, Germany’s DAX gaining 1.1% to 24,574.98 and Britain’s FTSE 100 up 0.6% at 10,384.15. In contrast, US futures pointed slightly lower, with the S&P 500 futures down 0.2% and Dow Jones futures slipping less than 0.1%. In Asia, Japan’s Nikkei 225 fell 0.4% to close at 60,550.59, erasing earlier gains despite government data showing the economy expanded for a second straight quarter in January–March, driven mainly by stronger-than-expected consumer spending. South Korea’s Kospi dropped sharply, ending 3.3% lower at 7,271.66 after falling more than 4% earlier in the session. Major stocks were hit hard, with Hyundai Motor falling 8.9%, LG Electronics down 11.7%, Samsung Electronics losing 2% and SK Hynix declining 5.2%, tracking losses in US tech shares. Elsewhere in the region, Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 rose 1.2% to 8,604.70, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng gained 0.5% to 25,797.85 and Shanghai Composite added 0.9% to 4,169.54. In energy markets, US crude oil fell 63 cents to $108.03 per barrel, while Brent crude dropped $1.59 to $110.51 per barrel. Prices have been volatile amid concerns that the Iran war could disrupt shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for global oil transport. Brent crude had been trading near $70 before the conflict escalated. Prices briefly eased after US President Donald Trump signalled a pause on a planned military strike on Iran, saying “serious negotiations” were underway. On Wall Street overnight, the S&P 500 slipped 0.1%, the Dow gained 0.3% and the Nasdaq fell 0.5%. Investors are now awaiting earnings from major US companies, including Nvidia, Target, Home Depot and Walmart, due later this week. In currency trading, the US dollar rose to 159.08 yen from 158.84 yen, while the euro slipped to $1.1632 from $1.1657.

Lee Jae Myung and Sanae Takaichi held their fourth meeting in about six months on Tuesday, as the two leaders moved to strengthen relations between their countries amid growing regional and global challenges. Lee hosted Takaichi in his hometown of Andong, a southeastern city known for its traditional folk village recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site. In January, the two leaders met in Takaichi’s hometown of Nara, making it the first time sitting leaders of the two countries have visited each other’s hometowns. South Korea’s presidential office said the summit was expected to build greater trust between the two leaders. Before the talks, Takaichi said she hoped to expand cooperation under difficult geopolitical conditions, including tensions in the Middle East and the Indo-Pacific. The meeting focused on economic and energy cooperation, the Iran war and broader bilateral relations. Experts said the talks were likely to proceed smoothly because both sides are currently prioritizing practical cooperation over historical disputes. “Both countries are focusing more on areas of cooperation than on contentious issues,” said Choi Eunmi of the Asan Institute for Policy Studies. South Korea and Japan are major allies of the United States, but their relationship has often been strained by unresolved issues stemming from Japan’s colonial rule of the Korean Peninsula from 1910 to 1945. Relations began improving in 2023 when the previous governments agreed to set aside some historical disagreements and work together on shared concerns, including US-China rivalry, supply chain risks and North Korea’s nuclear programme. When Lee and Takaichi took office last year, some analysts feared their differing political views could weaken ties. Instead, the two leaders have maintained close cooperation. In August last year, Lee became the first South Korean president to choose Japan as the destination for his first bilateral summit. At the end of their January meeting, Lee and Takaichi joined an informal drumming session featuring songs by BTS, including “Dynamite.” Analysts say the leaders are working more closely because they face mounting challenges, including President Donald Trump’s America First policies and economic disruption caused by the Iran war. Both South Korea and Japan have pledged major investments in the United States, but Trump’s tariff policies and transactional approach to security have raised concerns in both countries. Despite the recent improvement, experts warn that unresolved historical issues, including wartime forced labour and sexual slavery, could still trigger tensions if not properly addressed. Choi said the two governments are avoiding public debate on those issues, but there is no guarantee they will not resurface in the future.

The Embassy of Bangladesh in Seoul, along with Bangladesh Semiconductor Industry Association (BSIA), has hosted a high-impact two-day roadshow in South Korea, aimed at integrating Bangladesh into the global semiconductor value chain through strategic international collaboration, talent development, and advanced packaging initiatives. The roadshow commenced on May 12 with a series of one-to-one meetings with Korean semiconductor design houses and the Korea Semiconductor Industry Association (KSIA). A 12-member delegation, led by MA Jabbar, President of BSIA, visited South Korea in this regard. The main highlight of the roadshow activities was a banquet reception held on the day in DoubleTree by Hilton Pangyo hotel in Seoul. Bangladesh's Ambassador to South Korea Toufiq Islam Shatil delivered the welcome remarks highlighting the ample scope of joint collaboration between the semiconductor industries of both countries. He discussed the Asian Development Bank-proposed $79 billion, 20-year economic corridor from Teknaf to Tetulia as a future hub for high-tech industrialisation, creating a specialised ecosystem where semiconductor manufacturing, advanced packaging, and electronics can thrive outside the traditional urban centers.  BSIA President Jabbar emphasised the need to enter the semiconductor ecosystem through focusing strategic pathways like design verification, embedded system and advanced packaging. The technical sessions featured insights on “Silicon River” initiatives from Prof Muhammad Mustafa Hussain (Purdue University, USA) followed by capabilities overviews from seven leading BSIA member companies, namely Dynamic Solution Innovators, Test Bangladesh Limited, Ulkasemi Private Limited, Neural Semiconductor Ltd, PrimeSilicon Technology Inc, Siliconova Limited, and MARS Solutions Limited. On the concluding day on 13 May, the BSIA delegation met high officials of different semiconductor and research organisations, including Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), SK Hynix, Hana Micron, Korea Semiconductor Industry Association (KSIA), Koolmicro, Y-Tech, and Growith Associates.   A significant milestone of the roadshow was achieved with the signing of Letter of Intent (LOI) between KAIST Global Commercialization Center (GCC), Center of Research Excellence on Semiconductor Technology (CREST) and BSIA. This agreement aims to foster joint research, talent development and capacity building in the semiconductor sector. It is expected that Bangladesh’s emerging industry will highly benefit from the technological and economic cooperation from the global leaders of Korea in semiconductor manufacturing. The Embassy of Bangladesh in Seoul remains committed to supporting these initiatives to transform the nation into a global high-tech destination, according to a PID handout issued on Friday.

A US YouTuber who caused widespread anger in South Korea with a series of offensive online stunts has been sentenced to six months in prison. The Seoul Western District Court on Wednesday found Ramsey Khalid Ismael, known online as Johnny Somali, guilty of several charges, including disrupting businesses and sharing fake sexually explicit content. Prosecutors had asked for a three-year jail term. Ismael was also accused of harassing people at an amusement park, creating disturbances at a convenience store by playing loud music and throwing noodles on a table, and causing similar disruptions on public transport. He was also charged with distributing deepfake videos without consent. The court said the 25-year-old showed serious disregard for South Korean laws and hurt many people through his livestreamed actions aimed at earning money on YouTube. He was taken into custody immediately after the verdict, as the court considered him a flight risk. In October 2024, Ismael triggered public outrage after posting a video of himself kissing and performing a lap dance on a statue honoring victims of Japan’s wartime sexual slavery. He later apologized, saying he did not understand the importance of the monument. Ismael, who had been banned from leaving South Korea during the trial, earlier told reporters he regretted his actions and wanted to apologize to the public.

South Korean actor Lee Sang-Bo has been found dead at his home in Pyeongtaek. He was 44. According to local police, a family member discovered his body around 12:40 pm local time on Thursday. Officers said there were no signs of foul play, but an investigation is ongoing to determine the exact cause of death. His funeral is scheduled to be held at 10:30 am on March 29 at Jungang Funeral Home in Pyeongtaek. Following the incident, his agency, Korea Management Group, confirmed the news in a statement, saying the cause of death will not be disclosed at the request of his family. The agency also urged the media and public to respect the family’s privacy and avoid visits or unnecessary coverage. Lee’s death has also drawn attention to a 2022 incident that briefly affected his career. At the time, he was investigated over suspected drug use after being seen acting unsteadily in public and was briefly detained. However, later tests by authorities confirmed that no illegal substances were found in his system. Officials said his condition was linked to prescribed medications, including antidepressants and tranquillisers, taken after a personal loss. The case was later closed, clearing him of all allegations. Born in 1981, Lee began his acting career with the 2006 drama ‘Invisible Man Choi Jang Soo’. He went on to appear in several TV series, including ‘Private Lives’, ‘Miss Monte-Cristo’ and ‘The Elegant Empire’. His lead role in ‘Miss Monte-Cristo’ in 2021 brought him wider recognition, while his 2023 project ‘The Elegant Empire’ marked his return to the screen. In 2025, he signed an exclusive contract with Korea Management Group.

North Korea on Tuesday fired what are believed to be ballistic missiles toward the sea in an apparent show of force, according to officials in neighboring countries, amid rising tensions with South Korea ahead of a key political gathering in Pyongyang. Japan’s Prime Minister’s Office and Defense Ministry reported the launch of possible ballistic missiles, while South Korea’s Defense Ministry said it detected at least one unidentified projectile launched off North Korea’s eastern coast. Details regarding the range or trajectory of the weapons were not immediately disclosed. The launch followed recent threats from North Korea to retaliate over alleged South Korean surveillance drone flights across the border, reportedly occurring earlier this month and in September. South Korea has denied conducting drone operations during the periods mentioned and said it is investigating whether civilian drones may have been involved. Experts say the drone allegations are likely part of Pyongyang’s efforts to stoke anti-South Korean sentiment ahead of the ruling Workers’ Party congress, expected to be held in late January or February. During the congress, North Korea may formally incorporate leader Kim Jong Un’s declaration of a hostile “two-state” approach toward the Korean Peninsula into the party constitution — a move not seen in the past five years. Earlier this month, North Korea announced test flights of hypersonic missiles, which were reportedly observed by Kim Jong Un, who emphasized strengthening the country’s nuclear deterrence, according to state media. Read More: North Korea claims progress in hypersonic missile program amid regional tensions In December, the North said it had test-fired long-range strategic cruise missiles and new anti-aircraft missiles, and released images suggesting the construction of its first nuclear-powered submarine. Analysts believe North Korea is showcasing its progress in weapons development ahead of the upcoming party congress.

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and South Korean President Lee Jae Myung agreed to further strengthen cooperation between their countries, then surprised the public with a cultural exchange of their own by drumming together to K-pop hits. The impromptu jam session followed their summit on Tuesday in Nara, Japan’s ancient capital and Takaichi’s hometown. Wearing matching athletic jackets, the two leaders sat side by side and played drums to popular songs including BTS’ “Dynamite” and “Golden” by K-pop Demon Hunters in a short video released by Takaichi’s office on Wednesday. The performance was arranged as a surprise by Takaichi, a heavy metal fan who played drums during her university days. “Playing the drums has been my longtime dream,” Lee wrote on X, thanking Takaichi for arranging the session. “Just as we respected our differences and harmonised our rhythms, I hope Korea and Japan will deepen cooperation and grow closer step by step.” Takaichi praised Lee as a quick learner, saying he picked up the basics in just a few minutes. Japan to host South Korea summit as ties with China worsen She also said Japan and South Korea would continue close communication between their governments and push forward their “shuttle diplomacy” to develop bilateral relations in a forward-looking and stable manner.

Former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol was once again taken into custody Thursday over charges linked to his short-lived declaration of martial law late last year. The Seoul Central District Court approved the latest arrest warrant against Yoon over fears he could destroy evidence. He was previously held in custody following his initial arrest in January, but was released in March after the same court overturned his detention. Yoon was removed from office in April after the Constitutional Court upheld an impeachment motion submitted by the parliament over his imposition of martial law in December, which threw the nation into a months-long political crisis. The criminal investigation is being handled by a special counsel team led by special prosecutor Cho Eun Suk. The probe was launched after Lee Jae Myung was elected president in June to replace Yoon. Malaysian PM warns Southeast Asia that trade war is not ‘passing storm’ Yoon is already standing trial over allegations that his declaration of martial law amounted to an insurrection, which carries a maximum sentence of life in prison or death if convicted. He has denied the charges. The conservative former president defended himself during a court hearing on Wednesday over whether to issue the latest arrest warrant, which includes charges such as obstruction of official duties and abuse of power. Source: Kyodo News

South Korea’s new President Lee Jae-myung vowed Wednesday to restart dormant talks with North Korea and bolster a trilateral partnership with the US and Japan, as he laid out key policy goals for his single, five-year term. Lee, who rose from childhood poverty to become South Korea’s leading liberal politician vowing to fight inequality and corruption, began his term earlier Wednesday, hours after winning a snap election that was triggered in April by the removal of then-President Yoon Suk Yeol over his ill-fated imposition of martial law late last year. According to AP, in his inaugural address at the National Assembly, Lee said that his government will deal with North Korean nuclear threats and its potential military aggressions with “strong deterrence” based on the South Korea-US military alliance. But he said he would “open a communication channel with North Korea and establish peace on the Korean Peninsula through talks and cooperation.” South Koreans vote for new president in wake of Yoon's ouster over martial law He said he’ll pursue pragmatic diplomacy with neighbouring countries and boost trilateral Seoul-Washington-Tokyo cooperation. "Through pragmatic diplomacy based on national interests, we will turn the crisis posed by the major shift in global economic and security landscapes into an opportunity to maximize our national interests,” Lee said. It was unclear whether Lee’s election would cause any major, immediate shift in South Korea’s foreign policy. Lee, previously accused by critics of tilting toward China and North Korea and away from the US and Japan, has recently repeatedly stressed South Korea’s alliance with the US as the foundation of its foreign policy and avoided any contentious remarks that would raise questions on his views on the US and Japan.

North Korea on Thursday fired various types of short-range ballistic missiles into its eastern sea, South Korea’s military said, adding to a run in military displays that raised animosities in the region. South Korean military officials were analysing whether the tests were linked to the North’s weapons exports to Russia during its war in Ukraine, AP reports. South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said multiple missiles were launched from the area around the eastern port city of Wonsan from about 8:10 to 9:20 am, with the farthest traveling about 800 kilometres (497 miles). It didn’t immediately confirm the exact number of the missiles it detected. Lee Sung Joon, spokesperson for the Joint Chiefs, said in a briefing the North Korean launches were possibly intended to test the performance of weapons it plans to export, as the country continues to send military equipment and troops to fuel Russia’s warfighting against Ukraine. Lee said the tests likely involved a short-range ballistic missile system launched from vehicles — possibly modeled after Russia’s Iskander missile — and also large-caliber rocket artillery systems, which experts say blur the line between traditional artillery and ballistic systems due to their self-propulsion and guided flight. Tensions soar as Pakistan vows retaliation over Indian strikes The Joint Chiefs said South Korean and US intelligence authorities detected the launch preparations in advance and tracked the missiles after they were launched. The countries were sharing the launch information with Japan, the Joint Chiefs said. It issued a statement denouncing the launches as a “clear act of provocation” that threatens peace and stability in the region. It was the North’s first known ballistic activity since March 10, when it fired several ballistic missiles hours after US and South Korean troops began an annual combined military exercise, and the country’s sixth launch event of the year. Tensions on the Korean Peninsula have escalated in recent months as North Korean leader Kim Jong Un continues to accelerate the development of his nuclear and missile program and supply weapons and troops to support Russia’s war against Ukraine.