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 👀 Today’s Email about:

• Samsung's chief will accompany the delegation for President Yoon's sales diplomacy trip to the Czech Republic.

• BOYNEXTDOOR has reached the top of the Oricon album chart with their release '19.99'.

• KwakTube is facing criticism after defending a controversial former idol.

NEWS 📰

Samsung's chief will accompany the delegation for President Yoon's sales diplomacy trip to the Czech Republic.

The leaders of South Korea's top conglomerates — Samsung, Hyundai Motor, SK, and LG — will accompany President Yoon Suk Yeol on his upcoming state visit to the Czech Republic, aiming to strengthen ties in nuclear energy and advanced technology sectors. The visit, part of Yoon's sales diplomacy initiative, is focused on securing a major nuclear energy construction project. The 24 trillion won ($18 billion) project involves building two nuclear reactors in Dukovany, with a consortium of South Korean companies leading the construction.

The business delegation includes Samsung Electronics Executive Chairman Lee Jae-yong, Hyundai Motor Group Executive Chair Chung Euisun, SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won, and LG Group Chairman Koo Kwang-mo. This trip could offer significant business opportunities for these corporations, especially in tech-related sectors like semiconductors, batteries, and energy.

Samsung's Lee Jae-yong is expected to explore potential semiconductor partnerships with the Czech Republic, following his recent visit to Samsung's research and production facilities in Poland. Hyundai Motor has a significant presence in the country, where it operates its largest European manufacturing base, producing over 530,000 vehicles annually. Hyundai Motor's Chairman Chung may expand the company's investments in the Czech Republic, especially in light of its recent donation to flood relief efforts in the country.

SK Group, which currently has limited business ties with the Czech Republic, sees potential to expand into the battery and energy sectors. Chairman Chey Tae-won will preside over a business forum aimed at strengthening cooperation between South Korea and the Czech Republic. Similarly, LG Group, with its longstanding consumer electronics business in the country, is exploring investment opportunities in battery manufacturing, responding to the Czech Republic's interest in LG Energy Solution.

BOYNEXTDOOR has reached the top of the Oricon album chart with their release '19.99'

BOYNEXTDOOR's latest album "19.99" has made a significant impact in Japan and Korea, continuing their rise as one of the most promising rookie groups. Their success with the album marks a new milestone for them, surpassing previous achievements both in terms of sales and recognition.

ENTERTAINMENT 🌄

KwakTube is facing criticism after defending a controversial former idol.

KwakTube, a popular travel YouTuber with over 2.1 million subscribers, is facing backlash after defending Lee Na-eun, a former member of the disbanded K-pop group April, who had been accused of bullying a fellow member, Lee Hyun-joo. Kwak, who has openly shared his own experiences with school bullying, traveled with Lee Na-eun in Italy for a YouTube video where he expressed regret over blocking her on social media due to the bullying accusations. He explained that, as a bullying victim himself, he initially reacted emotionally but later reconsidered after seeing articles suggesting the allegations were false.

Lee Na-eun also expressed her sadness in the video, saying she felt misunderstood by people who believed the rumors. However, she has yet to fully address the bullying accusations, which led her to take a two-year hiatus from the public eye.

Despite removing the video and issuing an apology, Kwak’s defense of Lee Na-eun sparked widespread criticism. The Ministry of Education removed a school violence prevention video featuring Kwak from its YouTube channel, and there have been calls for the Busan Metropolitan Government to cancel his appearance at an upcoming travel event.

Lee Hyun-joo had previously revealed in 2021 that she endured bullying from her April group members, including physical and verbal abuse, and that her agency, DSP Media, did not intervene despite being aware of the situation. The controversy around KwakTube has reignited debates about how public figures handle bullying issues, particularly when they involve sensitive personal experiences.

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