Samsung Electronics union and management will return on May 18 to a second post-mediation session at the National Labor Relations Commission, days before a planned strike. Chairman Lee Jae-yong apologised to customers worldwide and the public, calling employees and the union “one family” and saying he would take responsibility. The company changed its lead negotiator, while the union agreed the outgoing negotiator could attend without speaking. Talks focus on performance bonuses and whether to institutionalise the scheme.

Kurly posted record quarterly results in the first quarter, supported by balanced growth across its businesses and logistics upgrades. Revenue rose 28.4 percent from a year earlier to 745.7 billion won. Operating profit surged 1,277 percent to 24.2 billion won, and net profit turned positive at 20.3 billion won. Gross merchandise value increased 29 percent to 1.09 trillion won. Kurly said it will step up its IPO roadmap.