Kakao first-ever strike spares users but unnerves investors SEOUL, June 10 (AJP) - The chat platform through which most South Koreans communicate and work, along with its cab-hailing, payment and navigation services, operated normally Wednesday despite a four-hour walkout by about 600 workers, or roughly 15 percent of the workforce, near the headquarters of Kakao. The first strike in the platform operator's 20-year history left flagship services untouched but rattled investors, sending Kakao shares lower and exposing tensions that could June 10, 2026

Son Heung-min named among '26 players to watch' at upcoming World Cup SEOUL, June 10 (AJP) - Striker Son Heung-min of Los Angeles FC (LAFC) has been named among the "26 players to watch" at this year's FIFA World Cup, which is set to kick off in North America later this week. Yahoo! Sports on Wednesday unveiled its list of standout players from 48 countries for the quadrennial football tournament, just days before the month-long event kicks off across the three host countries of Canada, Mexico and the U.S. on Thursday. Son, set to mak June 10, 2026

Seoul picks 15 firms in AI unicorn drive SEOUL, June 10 (AJP) -South Korea has selected 15 promising artificial intelligence and digital firms for a state-backed program aimed at turning them into globally competitive "unicorns," the science ministry said. The Ministry of Science and ICT presented Wednesday certificates to the chosen companies at a ceremony at the Lotte Hotel in Seoul, marking the seventh year of its ICT unicorn fostering program. Run with the National IT Industry Promotion Agency and partners June 10, 2026

Watchdog cracks down on unfair K-pop membership practices SEOUL, June 10 (AJP) - Unfair practices are rampant among paid memberships offered by major entertainment agencies and K-pop fandom platforms, the Korea Fair Trade Commission (KFTC) said on Wednesday. After surveying about 18 entertainment agencies and six fandom platform operators, the commission found a range of unfair clauses and binding terms, prompting it to request revisions, which the companies agreed to make voluntarily. Such memberships usually offer benefits like early June 10, 2026

South Korea's 20s and 30s were born into democracy, which explains their anger On the evening of June 3, voters in Seoul's Jamsil neighborhood lined up at their polling stations and were turned away. Not by armed soldiers, but by a paper shortage. Ballots had simply run out. It sounds almost absurd — a punchline for a country that has spent decades positioning itself as a model of democratic development in Asia. South Korea holds transparent elections, produces peaceful transfers of power, and boasts one of the most digitally sophisticated elector June 10, 2026

Hanwha Qcells completes US solar hub, to begin cell production in July SEOUL, June 10 (AJP) - Hanwha Solutions Qcells has completed its solar cell production line at its Cartersville plant in Georgia and will begin mass production in July, the company said Wednesday. With the completion, Hanwha Qcells has finalized the construction of its U.S. “solar hub,” an integrated solar manufacturing base that covers the full value chain from ingots and wafers to cells and modules. The company said its U.S. production capacity now stands at 3.3 gig June 10, 2026

Korea's election watchdog faces scrutiny over ballot-printing cuts in June 3 vote SEOUL, June 10 (AJP) - South Korea's election watchdog is facing growing scrutiny after it emerged that the minimum ballot-printing threshold for the June 3 local elections was lowered from 60 percent to 50 percent of registered voters through internal approvals without a formal commission meeting, a move that could be associated with the unprecedented ballot shortages. The controversy has fueled calls for investigations and reforms amid ongoing blockade of a polling station i June 10, 2026

SpaceX debut threatens to siphon capital from Korea's chip rally SEOUL, June 10 (AJP) - Elon Musk's SpaceX is emerging as an unexpected headwind for South Korea's semiconductor-driven stock rally as global investors reposition portfolios ahead of the company's blockbuster Nasdaq debut on Friday. The world's largest-ever initial public offering is expected to begin trading after attracting more than $250 billion in investor demand for an offering seeking to raise about $75 billion at a valuation nearing $1.8 trillion, according to June 10, 2026

Original Beer Company launches first canned lagers through GS25 SEOUL, June 10 (AJP) - Original Beer Company, a South Korean craft brewer known for its champagne-style bottled beers, will launch its first canned products through GS25 convenience stores nationwide on June 11 as it seeks to expand beyond premium retail channels and reach a broader consumer base. According to the company Wednesday, the initial lineup consists of OBC Lager Helles and OBC Lager Vienna, priced at 13,000 won ($8.5) for a four-can bundle. The launch marks the brewery June 10, 2026

U.S.-Iran tensions and SpaceX debut weigh on Asia, drag KOSPI below 8,000 SEOUL, June 10 (AJP) - The volatile Seoul market gave ground Wednesday, surrendering part of the previous session's explosive gains as investors locked in profits while renewed military clashes between the United States and Iran rattled global markets. As of 10:33 a.m., the benchmark KOSPI was down 2.80 percent at 7,870.03, extending losses after slipping below the 8,000-point mark earlier in the session. The junior KOSDAQ edged up 0.27 percent to 970.38. The Korean won als June 10, 2026