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

Understanding the Concept of 'Actual Residence' in Housing Policy The real estate market is difficult to navigate, and so is home ownership. Government policies are equally challenging. This is where the complicated view of real estate begins. In terms of area, one region in South Korea rivals Seoul. However, its population has been steadily declining, now teetering around 50,000. The proportion of residents aged 65 and older has surpassed 40%, while the youth demographic is below 10%. Although the administrative boundaries remain unchanged, the populat June 12, 2026

South Korea Prepares Approval for 27.4 Million Flu Vaccine Doses The Korea Food and Drug Administration (KFDA) is gearing up to approve approximately 27.4 million doses of flu vaccine for this year. The agency is also establishing a support system to ensure smooth distribution of the vaccine in the second half of the year and timely vaccinations for the public. On June 12, the KFDA announced it will hold an information session for manufacturers and importers of the flu vaccine to assist with the national approval process. National approval is a system June 12, 2026

Safety Measures Enhanced for World Cup Viewing Events in Gwanghwamun The Ministry of Interior announced that it will implement joint safety management measures for the World Cup viewing event taking place in Gwanghwamun Square, Seoul, on June 12, 2026. This viewing event marks the first of its kind during the World Cup, prompting thorough assessments of potential risks at every stage of the event. The Ministry is collaborating with the Seoul Metropolitan Government, Jongno District, police, and fire departments to inspect risk factors in and around the v June 12, 2026

Surge in Stock Market Drives Demand for Borrowing to Invest, Banks Tighten Credit Controls The recent surge in the stock market has led to a significant increase in demand for borrowing to invest, prompting banks to tighten their management of credit loans. According to the financial sector on June 12, Hana Bank has implemented voluntary measures to ensure stable management of household debt. The bank will limit the maximum credit loan amount for all borrowers, including high-income earners, to 100 million won. Hana Bank will also strengthen its management of overdraft acco June 12, 2026

Gaon Cable Secures North American Certification for AI Data Center Product Gaon Cable is set to target the North American market with its new high-capacity power solution, the Cable Bus, designed for AI data centers. This expansion follows its existing product lines of cables and bus ducts, aimed at meeting the growing power demands of AI infrastructure. According to industry sources on June 12, Gaon Cable has received CSA certification for its Cable Bus, marking the first time an Asian company has achieved this certification in the Cable Bus sector. The Cable June 12, 2026

Real Estate Statistics: Rising Home Prices Amid Declining Transactions Highlight Growing Inequality Apartment prices in Seoul continue to rise, but transaction activity is cooling. While reconstruction and redevelopment areas and regions near the semiconductor industrial belt are showing strength, high-end districts in Gangnam are experiencing a wait-and-see attitude, causing the proportion of record transactions in the metropolitan area to drop below 10% for the first time this year. In the new sales market, the average price for standard apartments in Seoul has surpassed 2.1 billion wo June 12, 2026

President Yoon Receives Italy's Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Merit President Yoon Suk Yeol will receive the Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic on June 11 (local time) in Rome.Chief Presidential Secretary Kang Yu-jeong announced during a briefing in Rome that President Yoon will be awarded the prestigious honor at a dinner hosted by President Sergio Mattarella.The Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Merit, established on March 3, 1951, is Italy's highest honor, awarded to citizens and foreign heads of state who have made significant June 12, 2026

President Lee Emphasizes Enhanced Strategic Partnership with Italy President Lee Jae-myung expressed his pleasure at visiting Italy during a state dinner hosted by Italian President Sergio Mattarella on June 11, stating, "It is very meaningful to visit this place in a special year marking the 80th anniversary of the establishment of the Italian Republic." He added, "I am very happy that our two countries have elevated our relationship to a 'special strategic partnership.'"Opening his speech with the Italian greeting "Buonasera" (Good evening), President Lee hig June 12, 2026