Korean-American Singer Lee Jae Shines at North America World Cup Opening Ceremony 2026 FIFA North America World Cup opening ceremony featured Korean-American singer-songwriter Lee Jae, who captivated global soccer fans with his performance of Korean lyrics. On June 12, at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, the opening ceremony showcased the official World Cup theme song "DNA." The stage included renowned tenor Andrea Bocelli and Lee Jae, marking the commencement of the tournament. During the performance, Lee Jae passionately sang the Korean lyrics, "Even if I fall again, I June 12, 2026

Hanwha Ocean Shares Rise 8% on KDDX Project Win Expectations Hanwha Ocean is experiencing a surge in its stock price following reports that it has been effectively selected as the contractor for the detailed design and lead ship construction of the next-generation Korean destroyer (KDDX) project, valued at 7.8 trillion won. The Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) reportedly scored Hanwha Ocean slightly higher than its competitor, HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, boosting expectations for significant defense contracts. As of 10:56 a.m. on June 12, 2026

Jung Jeom-sik Calls for Opposition Control of Judiciary Committee Chair Jung Jeom-sik, the leader of the People Power Party, urged the government and ruling party on June 12 to shift their national policy direction and asserted that the chair of the Judiciary Committee should be returned to the opposition in the formation of the National Assembly's second half. In his first press conference since taking office, Jung stated, "The composition of the National Assembly in the second half must fully reflect the public sentiment for checks and balances demonstrated in the June 12, 2026

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