Iran Foreign Minister to Visit Pakistan as US-Iran Talks Are Floated Again

 
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is expected to visit Pakistan, according to reports, as the possibility of renewed U.S.-Iran negotiations is being discussed again, though no schedule has been set.

Reuters reported on the 24th that Pakistani sources said Araghchi was expected to arrive in Islamabad with a small delegation. The timing of any U.S.-Iran talks remains undecided.

The Associated Press, citing two Pakistani officials, also reported that Araghchi could visit as early as that day and no later than this weekend.

Pakistan has played a mediating role between Washington and Tehran. Reuters said Islamabad has kept security measures in place in case talks are held, but uncertainty has caused confusion locally because no date has been confirmed.
   
President Lee Jae-myung returned to South Korea on the 24th after a six-day trip to India and Vietnam, arriving via Seoul Air Base.

Air Force One carrying Lee, first lady Kim Hye-kyung and aides landed at about 9:03 p.m. at the base in Seongnam, south of Seoul.

They were greeted by Democratic Party leader Jung Cheong-rae, presidential chief of staff Kang Hoon-sik and senior presidential secretary for political affairs Hong Ik-pyo. Prime Minister Kim Min-seok and Interior and Safety Minister Yoon Ho-jung also welcomed the couple.

Lee and Kim stepped off the plane and shook hands with officials who came to receive them.

Lee began the trip on the 19th with a two-night, three-day state visit to India.

In a summit with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the two agreed to expand cooperation in strategic industries including shipbuilding, artificial intelligence and defense. They also agreed to set up an industrial cooperation committee and speed talks to improve the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, strengthen supply-chain cooperation, and continue coordination on global issues including Middle East developments.
   
South Korea’s KOSDAQ closed above 1,200 for the first time since 2000, lifted by gains in semiconductor materials, parts and equipment makers and biotech shares. The KOSPI, after setting repeated records, traded narrowly as investors took profits.

The Korea Exchange said on the 24th that the KOSDAQ rose 29.53 points, or 2.51%, to finish at 1203.84. It was the first close above 1,200 since Aug. 4, 2000, about 25 years and eight months ago.

The rally was driven by chip-supply-chain and biotech stocks. As large semiconductor shares eased on profit-taking, buying shifted toward KOSDAQ growth stocks, widening gains.

The KOSPI slipped 0.18 point to 6475.63. It climbed as high as 6516.54 early but gave up gains to end near flat. Profit-taking after three straight record closes through the previous day, along with geopolitical risk in the Middle East, limited the advance.
   
A Samsung Electronics labor union has reported plans to hold a rally outside the home of Chairman Lee Jae-yong on the first day of a planned general strike, as a dispute over the bonus system extends beyond the workplace.

Samsung Electronics’ National Samsung Electronics Union said on the 24th it filed a notice that morning with Yongsan Police Station in Seoul for a gathering at 1 p.m. on May 21 outside Lee’s residence in Hannam-dong, Yongsan-gu. The reported turnout was about 50 people.

The union has announced an 18-day strike from May 21 to June 7. The gathering is expected to be conducted more as a news conference to publicize the strike plan than as a large-scale protest, according to the report.

The union is demanding the removal of a cap on performance bonuses and payment of 15% of operating profit as bonuses. The joint union struggle headquarters held a rally the previous day outside Samsung’s Pyeongtaek campus in Gyeonggi province, urging management to accept its demands.