2026 Craft Week to Kick Off on June 19 in South Korea The largest craft festival in South Korea, "2026 Craft Week," will take place nationwide from June 19 to 28, the Korea Craft and Design Promotion Agency announced on June 2. Craft Week focuses on discovering and planning unique craft cultural content through collaboration with local craft institutions. This year's central city for "2026 Craft Week" is Buyeo, selected for its theme "Buyeo, Where Crafts Stay," proposed by the Baekje Cultural Foundation. The event will kick off with an open June 2, 2026

President Lee Calls for Expansion of Voting Rights for Overseas Koreans President Lee Jae-myung emphasized on June 2 that discussions in the National Assembly regarding the expansion of voting rights for overseas Koreans should not be neglected, even in challenging circumstances. During a Cabinet meeting and emergency economic assessment session at the Blue House, President Lee addressed Kim Kyung-hyup, the head of the Overseas Koreans Agency, stating that this issue is the most significant grievance for overseas Koreans and a fundamental right as citizens, not mere June 2, 2026

MHS Unveils AI Semiconductor Cooling Solutions at Computex 2026 As competition intensifies in the performance of artificial intelligence (AI) semiconductors, heat management has emerged as a critical issue for next-generation AI infrastructure. High-performance semiconductors consume more power and generate more heat, making cooling technology a key factor in the performance, stability, and energy efficiency of servers and data centers. On June 2, MHS, a semiconductor cooling solution company, showcased its proprietary water cooling technology for nex June 2, 2026

Korea Investment & Securities Raises Hanmi Pharmaceutical Target Price by 12% Korea Investment & Securities announced on June 2 that it has raised its target price for Hanmi Pharmaceutical from 660,000 won to 740,000 won, a 12% increase, following a significant technology transfer agreement with Eli Lilly. The firm maintained its "buy" rating on the stock. Analyst Weh Joo noted, "While there has been anticipation in the market regarding technology transfers, the fact that the asset involved is sonepaglutide and the counterparty is Eli Lilly is a surprise." Hanmi P June 2, 2026

President Lee Urges Accountability from Prosecutors, Cautions Against Errors President Lee Jae-myung stated on June 2 that "any organization should apologize and retract if it makes a mistake." During a Cabinet meeting and emergency economic assessment session at the Blue House, President Lee made these comments after receiving a report from Acting Prosecutor General Koo Ja-hyun on the government's achievements in its first year. He cautioned, "We must not fall into the trap of believing we are infallible." He emphasized, "It applies to any organization that if they make June 2, 2026

Trump Warns Netanyahu Amid Tensions Over Lebanon Front in Iran Deal Talks Donald Trump, the President of the United States, stated that a peace agreement with Iran could be reached within a week. Discussions are ongoing regarding a memorandum of understanding (MOU) that would extend the current ceasefire by 60 days and allow for the resumption of civilian shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. However, Israel's offensive in Lebanon has emerged as a last-minute variable, with Iran labeling it a violation of the ceasefire, causing negotiations to falter. On June 1, loc June 2, 2026

Rising Demand for Cooling Sleep Products Amid Early Heat Waves As early heat waves and tropical nights grip the region, sales of cooling sleep products designed to enhance comfort during sleep are surging. According to industry reports, Simmons' 'All-Season Cooling Set' saw a staggering 175% increase in sales from May 11 to 15 compared to the previous week. The product features a combination of twill cooling material and 80-count bio-washed cotton, allowing for dual-sided use depending on the season or indoor temperature. Similarly, Ace Bed report June 2, 2026

South Korea Streamlines EUV Equipment Import Process for Semiconductor Production The South Korean government is significantly simplifying the domestic import procedures for extreme ultraviolet (EUV) equipment to support the growing semiconductor production for artificial intelligence (AI) exports. As a result, the import timeline will be reduced from 34 days to just 9 days, with an expected cost savings of approximately 500 million won (about $375,000). On June 2, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy announced that the Cabinet approved amendments to the High-Pres June 2, 2026

Candidates Make Final Appeals Ahead of Local Elections As the June 3 local elections and National Assembly by-elections approach, candidates in key districts such as Gyeonggi, Daegu, and Busan, as well as Pyeongtaek and Busan Buk-gu, are making final appeals for support. They emphasized the importance of voter participation, stating, "We will win and bring about tangible change." In Daegu, a significant battleground for the Democratic Party, candidates Kim Boo-kyum and Choo Kyung-ho urged voters to cast their ballots on election day, highligh June 2, 2026

NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang's Visit Sparks Surge in AI-Related Stocks The South Korean stock market is experiencing a surge across the AI value chain following the visit of NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang. The buying momentum has spread beyond semiconductors to include robotics, cloud services, platforms, and power infrastructure, reflecting growing expectations for an 'AI alliance.' This optimism suggests that South Korea could emerge as a key hub in NVIDIA's global AI supply chain. On June 1, the Korea Exchange reported a significant rise in stocks related to AI, June 2, 2026