Vietnamese Food Companies Target South Korean Market at Seoul Food 2026 Twenty-eight Vietnamese food companies are participating in Seoul Food 2026, marking a significant push into the South Korean market. Amid growing trends toward health, eco-friendliness, and convenience, these companies aim to expand exports and discover new partnerships by showcasing high-value products. According to Vietnamese media reports on June 10, Seoul Food 2026 opened on June 9 at KINTEX in Goyang, South Korea, and runs until June 12. The event features around 1,800 booths, attra June 12, 2026

South Korea Advances Commercialization of Graphene, a 'Dream Material' The South Korean government is moving forward with the industrialization of graphene, often referred to as a "dream material." The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy hosted the "Global Graphene Technology Exchange Conference" on June 11-12 at the Korea Science and Technology Center in Seoul, bringing together experts from academia and industry both domestically and internationally. Graphene is a two-dimensional material made of carbon atoms arranged in a honeycomb structure. It boasts June 12, 2026

Employment Decline Marks 17-Month Low Amid Ongoing Middle East Conflict Kwon Chang-jun, Deputy Minister of Employment and Labor, stated on June 12 that it is difficult to predict when the employment situation will recover due to the prolonged Middle East conflict. He emphasized that all government departments must work together to respond swiftly, and the Ministry of Labor will do its utmost to improve employment conditions. Kwon made these remarks during an employment situation assessment meeting with key officials from the ministry and heads of seven regiona June 12, 2026

Jung Cheong-rae Criticizes Opposition's Election Fraud Theories, Considers Special Investigation Jung Cheong-rae, the leader of the Democratic Party, criticized the People Power Party on June 12 for its unfounded claims regarding election fraud, which arose from the mismanagement of the Election Commission during the June 3 local elections and by-elections. The Democratic Party announced its intention to utilize all measures, including a national investigation and a special probe, to address the situation. During a Supreme Council meeting in Gwangju, Jung stated, "The People Power Pa June 12, 2026

President Lee's Approval Rating Drops to 57% Amid Election Concerns President Lee Jae-myung's approval rating has fallen to 57%, marking the lowest level this year, according to a survey released on June 12.The Korea Gallup poll, conducted from June 9 to 11 with 1,002 eligible voters aged 18 and older, found that 57% of respondents rated Lee's job performance positively. This represents a 7 percentage point drop from a survey conducted just before local elections in the third week of May. Lee's approval rating had previously reached 58% in surveys from the third June 12, 2026

Kyowon Wells' Wellness Talk Show 'Shinshin Dangbu' Surpasses 13 Million Views Kyowon Wells' wellness talk show series 'Shinshin Dangbu' has surpassed 13 million cumulative views. On June 12, Kyowon announced that 'Shinshin Dangbu' is a YouTube content series featuring brand ambassador Shin A-ra sharing wellness tips for daily living. The series has been presented since March as part of Kyowon Wells' wellness branding strategy. The content is designed to promote Kyowon Wells' wellness solutions, targeting the health-conscious 40 to 50 age group, with a focus on di June 12, 2026

Han Byeong-do: No Plans to Hand Over Legislative Committee to People Power Party Han Byeong-do, the leader of the Democratic Party, demanded on June 12 that the People Power Party cooperate in the formation of committees, stating, "The position of the chair of the Legislative and Judiciary Committee is not negotiable." He emphasized the need to secure the committee to expedite the processing of national agenda items and legislation affecting people's livelihoods. During a Supreme Council meeting held in Gwangju, Han noted, "The legislative progress in areas where the June 12, 2026

Government Seeks Cooperation from Major Exporters Amid Currency Stability Concerns The South Korean government has requested cooperation from major exporters, including Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix, to stabilize the foreign exchange market as the won-dollar exchange rate has remained above 1,500 won for 17 consecutive trading days. This news has drawn criticism online, with many users arguing that the government is overly reliant on corporations. On June 11, Heo Chang, the Second Vice Minister of the Ministry of Economy and Finance, and Moon Shin-hak, the Vice Minis June 12, 2026

Kioxia Surpasses Toyota to Become Japan's Most Valuable Company Amid AI Memory Boom On June 12, Kioxia Holdings, a Japanese semiconductor memory company, briefly surpassed Toyota Motor Corporation to become the most valuable publicly traded company in Japan during trading on the Tokyo Stock Exchange. This milestone was fueled by a surge in demand for NAND flash memory, driven by increased investments in artificial intelligence (AI) data centers, allowing a semiconductor firm to outpace the iconic Japanese manufacturer. According to the Nihon Keizai Shimbun (Nikkei), Kio June 12, 2026

Hyundai Rotem Unveils Strategy for K-Rail Industry Growth and Collaboration Hyundai Rotem is launching a cooperation program with its partners to promote the growth of the K-rail industry. On June 11, Hyundai Rotem held the '2026 Hyundai Rotem Rail Solution Cooperation Conference' at its Changwon plant in Gyeongnam, where it announced strategies to enhance financial support for partners and expand joint ventures abroad. The event aimed to strengthen the foundation for sustainable growth with partners and create an innovative ecosystem in the rail industry. Atten June 12, 2026