Google has expanded its AI-enabled browser, Gemini in Chrome, in South Korea, raising a key test for market leader Naver\'s AI response. The update adds in-browser tools such as webpage summaries, cross-tab comparisons, email drafting, image conversion and integrations with Gmail, Maps, Calendar and YouTube. Naver plans to launch an AI tab in the second quarter and aims to link search with its vertical services, including shopping, places and payments, while managing rising GPU-related infrastructure costs.

South Korean financial authorities are accelerating efforts to tighten capital market discipline, pledging tougher action against illegal practices aimed at avoiding delisting and pushing for timely exits of so-called zombie firms. Korea Exchange will introduce rules from July to delist penny stocks and raise standards for dealing with weak companies. Regulators also plan to curb duplicate listings and tighten reviews. Some decisions, including Hong Kong ELS fines and Samsung Securities approvals, remain delayed.