HMM Namu blast, Samsung union tensions and constitutional vote boycott — Ep. 131

This week’s episode begins with the confusion over an explosion and fire aboard an HMM-operated vessel near the Strait of Hormuz, as South Korean officials worked to determine whether the incident was caused by a strike or an onboard accident.  The episode then turns to South Korea’s consumer prices, which rose 2.6% year on year in April, driven largely by higher petroleum costs.  On business and labor, the hosts look at internal divisions within Samsung’s labor unions, especially tensions between semiconductor workers and employees in the company’s device experience division over bonus demands.  The episode also examines a failed National Assembly vote on proposed constitutional amendments, including changes related to the May 18 Gwangju Democratization Movement, checks on executive power and regional development.  About the podcast: The Korea Pro Podcast is a weekly conversation hosted by Korea Risk Group Executive Director Jeongmin Kim, Managing Editor John Lee and correspondent Joon Ha Park, delivering deep, clear analysis of South Korean politics, diplomacy, security, society and technology for professionals who need more than headlines. Uploaded every Friday. This episode was recorded on Thursday, April 29th, 2026. Audio edited by Alannah Hill