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SK hynix rises nearly 13% in debut on Wall Street as demand for memory chips soars amid AI frenzy

NEW YORK — Shares of Korean memory chipmaker SK hynix rose 12.8 percent as they made their debut on Wall Street, at a time demand for chips is surging thanks to the frenzy around artificial intelligence. The company is already one of the largest in Korea, along with Samsung Electronics, and is a member of the Kospi index. Even with a recent pullback, the country's Kospi index is up 77 percent so far this year and SK hynix shares have more than tripled. SK hynix priced its American depositary receipts, or ADRs, at $149 each Thursday. They opened Friday at $170 and closed at $168.01. The offering of 177.9 million ADRs raised proceeds of $26.5 billion, making it the biggest-ever initial share sale in the U.S. by a foreign company. An ADR is issued by a bank or broker and is a simplified way for U.S. investors to own foreign stocks through the U.S. markets. SK hynix is going public in the U.S. amid a surge in IPO proceeds. There were 48 IPOs raising a total of $104.8 billion during the second quarter, according to Renaissance Capital. It is the biggest quarter for deal proceeds in five ye

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Mikel Merino's goal lifts Spain past Belgium, into semifinals vs. France

INGLEWOOD — Spain's march into the World Cup semi-finals owed much to a familiar figure on Friday, with Mikel Merino once again coming off the bench to deliver in the dying moments of a crucial knockout match. The Arsenal midfielder struck an 88th-minute winner in Spain's 2-1 victory over Belgium, reacting quickest after replacement goalkeeper Senne Lammens spilled a shot to send Spain into the last four, where they will face World Cup favourites France in Dallas on Tuesday. Manchester United's Lammens had been brought on after a tearful Thibaut Courtois was forced off with a muscle injury in the second half. Merino, 30, has made a habit of appearing at precisely the right moment, having also come off the bench to score the only goal in stoppage time against Portugal in the last 16. Asked whether his sequence of dramatic interventions was down to luck, Merino insisted it was the product of preparation. "I believe in some coincidences, but I don't think this is one," he told reporters. "It's because I really prepare for when the time comes." My moment will come, says Merino Merino admit

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Investigators raid Gwangju police over suspicious handling of murder case

GWANGJU — Investigators raided the office of the Gwangju police chief Saturday as part of a widening probe into the police's suspected collusion with the father of the suspect in a high-profile murder case. The National Office of Investigation under the National Police Agency has formed a special team to investigate suspicions that the father, a police officer in the southwestern city of Gwangju, colluded with his colleagues to destroy evidence and access investigative information related to his son's alleged murder of a high school student in May. Investigators on the team executed warrants to search and seize material from the offices of the Gwangju Police Agency chief and the Gwangju Gwangsan Police Station chief and five other locations. The lead investigator for the murder case was arrested earlier this week over concerns he may destroy evidence. Acting National Police Agency Commissioner Yoo Jae-seong cut short his trip to the United States amid the controversy and returned home Friday. He apologized to the victim's family and the public while promising to hold those responsible t

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LNG reemerges as strategic fuel for Korea's AI, chip ambitions

Liquefied natural gas (LNG) is regaining strategic importance as the government reassesses its energy mix to support massive investments in artificial intelligence (AI) data centers and semiconductor manufacturing, while a prolonged global boom in LNG strengthens prospects for the country's broader LNG supply chain. Seoul is reconsidering LNG's domestic role after previously planning to reduce its share in the country's power mix under long-term decarbonization targets. Growing electricity demand from AI infrastructure and semiconductor manufacturing has renewed focus on LNG-fired power generation as a flexible backup source to balance the intermittency of renewable energy. The government is expected to consider a sharp increase in the share of LNG power in a new electricity plan, which will be drawn up later this year. It is also said to be reviewing a proposal to meet part of Samsung Electronics and SK hynix’s planned semiconductor cluster’s 6.3-gigawatt power demand in the southwestern region with LNG combined-cycle plants. Executives have also called for greater policy support fo

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Interview'Korean cinema's crisis is invisible from NY' says US film fest chief

"From New York, and the U.S. in general, the drought is almost invisible," Samuel Jamier, the executive director of the New York Asian Film Festival (NYAFF) said, challenging the prevailing anxiety surrounding the future of Korean cinema. "Film, television and K-pop blur into a single triumphant category — Korean content — and its sheer popularity overshadows the predicament of the industry that produces it." In a recent email interview with The Korea Times, the executive director offered a refreshing global perspective on Korea’s pop culture scene, arguing that while structural bottlenecks are very real in Seoul, the global appetite for Korean storytelling remains as fierce as ever. His insights come as NYAFF kicks off its landmark 25th anniversary edition, running from Friday (local time) to July 26 in New York, featuring a massive Korean cinema spotlight co-hosted by the Korean Cultural Center New York and the nonprofit Film at Lincoln Center. Supported by the Korean Film Council, this year's festival is screening 23 Korean movies across five venues. Opening the festival on Frid

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Search enters 3rd day for man swept away in torrent

The search for a 76-year-old man swept away in a torrent amid heavy rain was under way for a third day Saturday, officials said. The man fell into a stream while out on a walk in Yeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, on Thursday morning, according to authorities. Rescue authorities resumed their search for the missing man by mobilizing 374 personnel, including 140 firefighters, 97 police officers and 40 soldiers, as well as 73 pieces of equipment. An aerial search involving a firefighting helicopter was also conducted, with additional searches scheduled for later in the day.

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Korea faces sweltering weekend with tropical nights as monsoon retreats

As the summer monsoon begins to retreat from the Korean Peninsula, Korea is bracing for an extended spell of intense heat, with daytime temperatures forecast to soar to as high as 38 degrees Celsius over the weekend and heat wave alerts expected to expand across much of the country. According to the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA), Friday, rain will linger through the morning in parts of the greater Seoul area, Gangwon Province and Jeju Island, before largely clearing by the afternoon. Once the rain clouds move out, oppressive heat is expected to set in quickly. Heat wave advisories are already in effect for parts of South Jeolla Province, Gyeongsang Provinces and Jeju Island and the KMA expects the warnings to be extended to additional regions in the coming days. Beginning Friday, daytime temperatures in most parts of the country are forecast to exceed 30 degrees Celsius, with the heat index reaching around 31 degrees. In areas under heat wave advisories, the perceived temperature could rise to about 33 degrees. The KMA forecasts daytime highs of 28 to 34 degrees on Friday, cli

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Hyundai Motor, Kia, GM Korea on verge of strike amid faltering wage talks

Hyundai Motor, Kia and General Motors (GM) Korea are edging closer to labor action amid their stalled wage negotiations, sparking concerns over production disruptions that could cost hundreds of billions of won. Hyundai Motor's union will stage a two-hour partial strike each day starting Monday, as it failed to find a breakthrough in its wage negotiation with the carmaker’s management. Unionized workers from the automaker are demanding management provide a performance bonus equivalent to 30 percent of the firm’s net profit last year — a figure seen by its management as highly excessive, as the carmaker suffered a net profit fall of more than 20 percent in 2025 in the aftermath of U.S.-imposed auto tariffs. This year’s negotiations have also stalled over a new contentious issue: manufacturing automation driven by advances in physical artificial intelligence (AI). Earlier this year, Hyundai Motor Group shared plans to gradually deploy Boston Dynamics' Atlas humanoid robots across major production facilities in Korea and overseas, prompting strong opposition from the union. In respon

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Lee calls out IKEA Korea over alleged anti-labor practices

President Lee Jae Myung said Friday that the government will investigate allegations that IKEA Korea demoted an employee and pressured the worker to resign after returning from parental leave, vowing strict action if the allegations are confirmed. "If the allegations are found to be true after a thorough investigation, we will take stern measures in line with international standards," Lee wrote on X, formerly Twitter, as he shared a news report on the case. Lee said some multinational companies regarded as exemplary employers abroad had drawn criticism for adopting opaque management and anti-labor practices in Korea. "That was during a time when the Korean government pursued anti-labor policies and was tainted by corruption," Lee wrote. "Now that Korea is becoming a model society with a government that leads by example, such outdated management practices cannot be tolerated." He added that just as Korean companies should not engage in anti-labor practices overseas, foreign companies should not do so in Korea. The report alleged that IKEA Korea demoted an executive returning from parental

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JoongAng Ilbo begins workout as creditors back debt restructuring

JoongAng Ilbo, one of Korea's major newspaper publishers, won approval Friday to begin a workout program after facing a liquidity crisis. A workout is a debt restructuring process conducted through negotiations with creditors, allowing a company to retain greater control over its restructuring than under court-supervised rehabilitation. The decision came about three weeks after JoongAng Ilbo, the flagship of JoongAng Group, formally applied for a workout with its lead creditor, Hana Bank, on June 19, after a 22 billion won ($15 million) commercial paper issue was officially declared in default amid mounting financial strain across the group. Hana Bank and other financial creditors approved the launch of the workout at the first creditors' meeting, held through a written vote. By 6 p.m., creditors representing more than 75 percent of outstanding financial claims had backed the plan, meeting the threshold required to begin the process. Under Korean law, a workout requires approval from creditors representing at least three-quarters of outstanding financial claims. Following the approval, cre

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BTS faces 'SWIM' plagiarism lawsuit in US as BigHit Music denies allegations

BTS has been hit with a plagiarism lawsuit in the United States over its song “SWIM,” prompting agency BigHit Music to firmly reject the allegations and vow to fight the case in court. "The lawsuit contains only the plaintiffs' unilateral claims," BigHit Music told Xportsnews Friday. "We clearly maintain that 'SWIM' is an independent, original work. We will respond firmly through the legal process." The statement came after Billboard reported Thursday that songwriters Steve Cooper, John Sandler and Graylin Johnson filed a lawsuit the previous day, alleging that BTS' “SWIM” is substantially similar to a demo song of the same title that they had written. According to the report, the complaint names HYBE, HYBE America, BigHit Music and several songwriters credited on “SWIM,” including Ryan Tedder, the front man of American pop-rock band OneRepublic. BTS leader RM is also credited as one of the song's writers. However, the plaintiffs did not name any of the BTS members as defendants in the lawsuit. The case is expected to proceed through the U.S. legal system, where the court will

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Gwangju air base semiconductor hub plan risks new Korea-US friction

The Korean government's plan to transform the Gwangju Military Air Base into a flagship semiconductor cluster for the country's southwestern region is expected to require close consultations with the United States, as the facility serves as a Korea-U.S. Air Force Collocated Operating Base (COB). Though no U.S. Air Force operational units are permanently stationed at Gwangju during peacetime, as one of the five COBs in Korea, the base is designated as a location where U.S. air assets can rapidly deploy in the event of a contingency. Portions of the installation are understood to have been provided to the U.S. side under the Status of Forces Agreement, allowing American forces to use designated facilities during emergencies. As a result, any relocation or change in operational status of the base would likely require bilateral consultations and the formal redesignation of the COB. A Ministry of National Defense official said the government plans to work closely with the U.S. side to coordinate the timing of any changes. "We will swiftly discuss measures to coordinate specific timelines so t

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President calls for Mongolian legislative, government support for summit follow-up

ULAANBAATAR — President Lee Jae Myung called for follow-up support from Mongolia's legislature and government as he met the country's parliamentary speaker and prime minister in Ulaanbaatar, Friday, a day after holding a summit with Mongolian President Khurelsukh Ukhnaa. Lee held separate talks with Sandag Byambatsogt, chairman of the State Great Khural, Mongolia's parliament, and Prime Minister Nyam-Osor Uchral, after the two presidents agreed to strengthen the countries' complementary partnership during Thursday's summit. The summit took place on the first day of Lee's state visit, which runs through Saturday. "I hope that yesterday's summit will serve as a turning point for building an even deeper and stronger relationship between Korea and Mongolia, and in that regard, the role of the legislature is especially important," Lee said during his meeting with Byambatsogt. Meeting with Uchral, Lee expressed hope that the prime minister "will closely follow up on the various agenda items agreed upon yesterday," noting that he oversees the government's “day-to-day affairs.” The presiden

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Why is coed K-pop group KARD ending its journey?

KARD, one of the few coed groups in the current K-pop landscape, will end its 10-year run the way it spent most of it — as an exception. The quartet filled venues across Europe and the Americas for years, yet never converted that momentum into comparable recognition at home. The first full-length album of its career, out July 28, will also be its last. DSP Media announced Monday that the group will disband after releasing "Where To Now? (Part.2): NOWHERE" and wrapping a final world tour, closing a journey that began with the pre-debut single "Oh NaNa" in December 2016. "After careful discussions with all four members, we have agreed to conclude KARD's journey following these activities," the agency said, asking fans to support BM, J.Seph, Somin and Jiwoo as they move on to individual careers. That a group could tour the world for a decade before releasing a full-length album says much about how KARD operated, and about the market that barely made room for it. Modern K-pop runs on fandom. Physical album sales, music show votes and concert revenue are driven by "superfans," the deeply eng

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From 'cute navy' to RIMPAC command

HONOLULU — Foreign navies once referred to the Korean Navy as the “cute navy.” Rear Adm. Kim In-ho, commander of the Republic of Korea Fleet, recalled hearing the nickname from senior officers who participated in earlier Rim of the Pacific exercises (RIMPAC), when sending two frigates across the Pacific to Hawaii was considered an achievement. Those days are long gone. Today, Korea commands the maritime component of the world’s largest multinational naval exercise. Kim, the first officer from an Asian country to lead the Combined Force Maritime Component Command (CFMCC), said the experience extends beyond this year’s exercise and will help strengthen the Korean military’s combined maritime capabilities as it prepares for the wartime transfer of operational control (OPCON). “RIMPAC is designed to improve interoperability, protect sea lines of communication and strengthen multinational responses to maritime threats,” Kim told reporters during a media roundtable. “In that sense, it also provides a valuable opportunity for our military to further strengthen its combined marit

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Gyeonggi Province pushes phone-free school policy

Gyeonggi Province's education office is pushing ahead with a "phone-free school" initiative that would restrict students' mobile phone use during the school day — one of Superintendent Ahn Min-seok's flagship campaign pledges — drawing mixed reactions over whether the policy is enforceable and legally valid. The initiative aims to limit phone use at elementary, middle and high schools across the province to support learning, strengthen interpersonal relationships and restore the educational environment. It has gained momentum as students spend increasing amounts of time on smartphones, exposing them not only to excessive screen use but also to online gambling, fraud, deepfake-related crimes and even prostitution, prompting continued calls for stronger regulation of smartphone use among students. According to a survey of 1,000 people conducted by the education office from June 27 to 29, 77.3 percent said schools should collect and store students' mobile phones during the school day to protect the right to learn. Support was even higher among parents, with 84 percent backing the measur

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Samsung Electronics' largest union urges withdrawal of local voucher wage bill

Samsung Electronics' largest labor union on Friday called for the withdrawal of a proposed revision to the Labor Standards Act that would allow employers to pay part of workers' wages with local gift certificates, arguing that the bill undermines the principle that wages should be paid in legal currency. According to a wage agreement reached in May, employees in Samsung Electronics' Device Solutions (DS) Division could receive performance-based incentives of up to 600 million won ($397,000) each if earnings meet expectations, while employees in the Device eXperience (DX) Division, the company's consumer electronics business, are expected to receive company shares worth about 6 million won. The Samsung Electronics Labor Union (SELU) criticized proposed legislation, introduced Wednesday by Rep. Park Min-kyu of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea, which would amend the Labor Standards Act to allow employers to pay part of workers' wages, including performance bonuses, in local gift certificates or other non-cash forms with employees' explicit consent or under a collective bargaining agre

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Hong Sang-soo's new film sees Kim Min-hee's return

Korean filmmaker Hong Sang-soo's latest film, "Nowhere to Lay My Eyes," will premiere in the main competition of the 79th Locarno Film Festival. The film marks Kim Min-hee's return to acting after giving birth to her first child. International distributor Finecut announced the selection Thursday. The project is Hong's 35th feature and will compete for the Golden Leopard, the festival's top prize. This is Hong's fifth film selected for the festival. His previous entries include "By the Stream" (2024), which won a best performance award; "Hotel by the River" (2018), which also earned a best performance award; "Right Now, Wrong Then" (2015), which won the Golden Leopard and a best performance award; and "Our Sunhi" (2013), which won the best director award. The Locarno Film Festival, founded in 1946 and held annually every August in Locarno, Switzerland, is famous for showcasing artistic and experimental auteur films. Announcing the lineup, the festival said that they were all deeply moved by how the film conveyed the meaning, beauty and complexity of life through the poetic and sophisticat

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IU, Lee Jong-suk break up after 4 years of public dating

Singer-actress IU and actor Lee Jong-suk have ended their relationship after four years of public dating, with both agencies confirming the split. Representatives from IU's agency, EDAM Entertainment, and Lee's agency, Ace Factory, told Xportsnews on Friday that the couple had broken up. "It is true that they have ended their relationship. They have decided to remain good colleagues," the agencies said. Earlier in the day, Korean entertainment outlet Dispatch reported that the two recently parted ways due to their busy schedules. Both agencies quickly confirmed the report. IU and Lee first met in 2012 while serving as co-hosts of SBS music program “Inkigayo (K-POP Countdown)”. They remained friends for about a decade before confirming their relationship in late 2022 after months of dating speculation. Their romance quickly became one of Korea's most high-profile celebrity relationships, with fans often praising the pair for quietly supporting each other's careers while keeping their private lives largely out of the spotlight. The couple have now decided to go their separate ways, with

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Kim Soo-hyun's Eider lawsuit takes turn after damages claim cut

Actor Kim Soo-hyun's legal battle with one of his advertisers has taken an unexpected turn, raising questions about whether the shift could influence other similar lawsuits. A Korean court has recommended that outdoor brand Eider and Kim reach a settlement after the company significantly reduced the amount it is seeking in damages. The development comes after the criminal case surrounding allegations involving the late actress Kim Sae-ron also took a dramatic turn. According to Star News on Wednesday, the 45th Civil Division of the Seoul Central District Court recommended that Eider and Kim, along with his agency Gold Medalist, resolve their dispute through a settlement during the second hearing of the company's damages lawsuit. Eider initially filed the lawsuit seeking about 2.5 billion won (about $1.8 million) in damages, arguing that the brand's image had been harmed after allegations surfaced that Kim had dated the late actress Kim Sae-ron while she was a minor. Kim has consistently denied wrongdoing. At the latest hearing, however, Eider sharply reduced its claim to about 400 millio

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Hundreds of educators to convene in Seoul as demand for Korean language teaching soars

At a time when digital acceleration threatens to replace traditional classrooms with algorithms, hundreds of educators are gathering in Korea to make a case for the deeply human power of cultural connection through language. On July 13, approximately 550 Korean language educators from around the globe will assemble at Coex convention center in southern Seoul for the 2026 World Korean Language Educator Conference. The event marks a significant bureaucratic milestone, bringing together four major government bodies — the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Overseas Koreans Agency — for their first joint assembly in nine years as they work together to streamline global educational support. The conference comes during a historic surge in global demand for Korean language teaching, driven by the enduring footprint of Korean cultural content, academic migration and professional opportunities. The 547 international attendees reflect a diverse lineup, including 211 instructors from King Sejong Institutes, 43 primary an

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Editor's Pick

Korea's push to raise retirement age raises fears over youth job market

Korea's push to raise retirement age raises fears over youth job market

In Korea's superaged society, where those aged 65 or over account for more than 20 percent of the total population, a renewed debate has emerged over what the retirement age should be. The discussion resurfaced last month after the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) floated the idea of raising the retirement age from 60 to 65. The party, however, is taking a cautious approach and avoiding railroading the policy plan since it is closely related to youth employment. The issue now is balancing longer careers for older adults with the potential cost of fewer job opportunities for young workers. Income cliff A retirement age of 60 is usually observed in the public sector and most private companies, although some companies set their own ages under a labor-management agreement. At the heart of the issue is the income cliff between the retirement age and the national pension eligibility age, which ranges from 60 for those born in 1952 or earlier to 65 for those born in 1969 or later. For those at the higher end, that gap can mean five years without receiving national pension payments after re

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Life in Korea

Monsoon rains to soak Korea through Thursday

Monsoon rains to soak Korea through Thursday

Monsoon season rains are forecast to drench the nation through Thursday, the state-run weather agency said. The broader Seoul area, inland parts of the eastern province of Gangwon and the central-western province of South Chungcheong already experienced rainfall overnight, with downpours forecast to hit the entire nation through Thursday, according to the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA). The KMA attributed the rainfall to a stationary front moving back and forth across Korea. The broader Seoul area, inland and mountainous parts of Gangwon and central and northern parts of the southeastern province of North Gyeongsang are expected to see 50 to 100 millimeters of rainfall through Thursday, the KMA said. The central provinces of South and North Chungcheong and the southwestern province of North Jeolla are forecast to receive 80 to 150 mm of rain over the period. Some parts of the region could see more than 200 mm of rainfall. A heavy rain advisory was issued for the central city of Sejong, the provinces of South and North Chungcheong, and parts of North Jeolla Province, prompting t

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Lifestyle

The Korean hair tie behind Norway's Viking hero

Amid Norway's unexpected breakout success in the 2026 FIFA Men's World Cup, all eyes are on Erling Haaland, who has become the viral poster child of his national team. While Haaland was already famous for his status as one of the best strikers in the world, the World Cup has brought widespread focus on the footballer’s striking features and imposing 1.95-meter frame that make him instantly recognizable on and off the field, even to first-time football fans. Of particular note is Haaland’s long blond hair, which he ties into a slicked-back bun during his games. This iconic hairstyle is helped along by KKNEKKI, a brand that has its roots in Korea. KKNEKKI, meaning yarn in Gyeongsang dialect, was created in Korea in 1987, incorporating Korea’s traditional artisan spirit into its production. It was later bought by the family-owned Norwegian group Bon Dep. The hair ties are made from woven polyester fabric and tied off with a plastic bead. The soft weave provides a comfortable and snag-free tie, especially for fragile and easily-damaged hair. There are over 700 colors to choose from, in

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The Korean hair tie behind Norway's Viking hero

K-Culture

TXT's Yeonjun to drop 2nd solo album

Yeonjun of boy band Tomorrow X Together (TXT) will release his second individual album Friday, his agency BigHit Music said. The EP, titled "No Labels: Part 02," set for release at 1 p.m., marks the first release from Yeonjun in about eight months after his first solo record, "No Labels: Part 01." The new album consists of six tracks, including the lead track "Ice Cream," "Vanilla" and "No More Disco." Yeonjun took part in creating the choreography for "Ice Cream" and penning the lyrics for "Baby Wassup?" and "Long Way Long Ride." "Ice Cream" is a summer song that portrays a relationship where two people maintain a certain distance despite being sweet to each other. "I felt selecting 'Ice Cream' as the lead track was the right decision, as it best reflects my color in this album," Yeonjun said. "It is a song that shows both my exterior and inner self." Yeonjun is set to take the stage as a solo artist on ABC's "Good Morning America" Summer Concert Series on Aug. 7 (U.S. time).

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TXT's Yeonjun to drop 2nd solo album

Celebrities

Fans hope 'Agent Kim Reactivated' star's wife returns to acting

As SBS action drama “Agent Kim Reactivated” continues its ratings streak, renewed attention is also turning to one of its stars, Choi Dae-hoon, and his heartfelt love story with his wife, former actor and beauty queen Jang Yoon-seo. The Friday-Saturday series has quickly become one of Korea's biggest TV hits, surpassing 21 percent in nationwide viewership after just four episodes, according to Nielsen Korea. The drama follows an ordinary father who transforms into a dangerous fighter to rescue his daughter. Choi plays Sung Han-soo, a former Olympic taekwondo gold medalist and the longtime friend of the title character, played by So Ji-sub. Following his breakout popularity in last year's Netflix hit “When Life Gives You Tangerines,” Choi is once again drawing attention through “Agent Kim Reactivated.” As interest in the actor grows, fans have also begun revisiting his relationship with Jang, whom he married in 2015. The couple have one daughter. Choi debuted in the 2002 film “In The Jungle” and built his career through films, television dramas and theater productions. He

2 MIN READ
Fans hope 'Agent Kim Reactivated' star's wife returns to acting

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Opinion

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Top 10 Stories

  1. Korea faces sweltering weekend with tropical nights as monsoon retreats

  2. IU, Lee Jong-suk break up after 4 years of public dating

  3. SK hynix rises nearly 13% in debut on Wall Street as demand for memory chips soars amid AI frenzy

  4. Gwangju air base semiconductor hub plan risks new Korea-US friction

  5. SK hynix lists ADRs on Nasdaq to expand global AI presence

  6. From 'cute navy' to RIMPAC command

  7. Hong Kong retail investors reel as SK hynix ETF swings turn painful

  8. Hyundai Motor, Kia, GM Korea on verge of strike amid faltering wage talks

  9. Mikel Merino's goal lifts Spain past Belgium, into semifinals vs. France

  10. Jailed for Kim Soo-hyun defamation, YouTuber claims 'survival threat' after rival freezes funds

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