China Extends Gold Buying Streak as Reserves Surge Despite Volatile Prices 
Bank of Japan Signals Readiness for Near-Term Rate Hike as Inflation Nears Target 
Japanese Pharmaceutical Stocks Slide as TrumpRx.gov Launch Sparks Market Concerns 
U.S.-India Trade Framework Signals Major Shift in Tariffs, Energy, and Supply Chains 
Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang Says AI Investment Boom Is Just Beginning as NVDA Shares Surge 
Toyota’s Surprise CEO Change Signals Strategic Shift Amid Global Auto Turmoil 
Japan Economy Poised for Q4 2025 Growth as Investment and Consumption Hold Firm 
Oil Prices Slip as U.S.–Iran Talks Ease Supply Disruption Fears 
Rio Tinto Shares Hit Record High After Ending Glencore Merger Talks 
U.S. Stock Futures Slide as Tech Rout Deepens on Amazon Capex Shock 
Asian Markets Slip as AI Spending Fears Shake Tech, Wall Street Futures Rebound 
Dow Hits 50,000 as U.S. Stocks Stage Strong Rebound Amid AI Volatility 
Nvidia Nears $20 Billion OpenAI Investment as AI Funding Race Intensifies 
Global PC Makers Eye Chinese Memory Chip Suppliers Amid Ongoing Supply Crunch 
Vietnam’s Trade Surplus With US Jumps as Exports Surge and China Imports Hit Record 
OpenAI Expands Enterprise AI Strategy With Major Hiring Push Ahead of New Business Offering 
Ford and Geely Explore Strategic Manufacturing Partnership in Europe 
Namyang Dairy Product recently lost two of its leaders - chairman Hong Won Sik and CEO Lee Kwang Bum this week. The two decided to leave over the controversies created by the company’s claim about the effectiveness of its Bulgaris yogurt in fighting COVID-19 symptoms.
The controversy that led to Namyang’s heads exit
Chairman Hong Won Sik stepped down on Tuesday, May 4, and he announced his departure through a press conference. CEO Lee Kwang Bum also left his job on Monday, and their exit came two days after Namyang Dairy’s offices were raided by the authorities as it investigates the COVID-19 false claims.
The two resigned three weeks after the company held a symposium and announced that its Bulgaris yogurt effectively lowers the chance of contracting COVID-19 by at least 77%. However, the South Korean Ministry of Food and Drug Safety called out Namyang for such doubtful claims and immediately launched an investigation.
The public reportedly flocked to grocery stores to buy Namyang’s Bulgaris yogurts, and the company experienced a surge in its shares. This is another reason why a probe has been launched.
New scandal besetting the dairy company
Now, while the yogurt controversy is not yet over, The Korea Times reported that Namyang is facing a new issue. This time it has something to do with a patent infringement violation.
The outlet reported that Namyang’s Inner Care yogurt drink comes with a supplement pill. This is placed in the cap so it can easily be taken when drinking the yogurt. However, the company’s rival, Korea Yakult, that sells MPRO3, which is a probiotics beverage, claimed that the yogurt and pill combination was imitated by Namyang from them.
MPRO3 also comes with a supplement, and Yakult Korea is claiming that they are the originator of this product that was first launched in 2019. On the other hand, Namyang’s Inner Care was only released in February.
With the identical special features between Inner Care and MPRO3, Natural Way, which has the patent rights over Yakult Korea’s design of placing the pill inside the bottle caps, filed a patent lawsuit against Namyang. It was revealed that the filing was done last month.
