South Korean President Lee Jae-myung Promotes Cultural Diplomacy in Italy Lee Jae-myung, the President of South Korea, engaged in cultural diplomacy during his visit to Florence, Tuscany, on June 13, 2026. He met with the governor and visited the Uffizi Gallery, marking his first European trip since taking office.This visit to a city other than the capital, Rome, aligns with the tradition of state visits to Italy. During his visit in 2023, Italian President Sergio Mattarella toured the Korean Peninsula, including the Demilitarized Zone and Haeinsa Temple in Gyeongnam. June 14, 2026

Energy Voucher Program to Begin Cash Support for Vulnerable Groups Starting this year, vulnerable groups who previously found it difficult to use vouchers due to energy costs being included in rent or management fees will be able to receive cash support. The government plans to fully implement the energy voucher program beginning in July.The Climate Energy Environment Ministry announced on June 14 that applications for the 2026 energy voucher program will be accepted from June 15 to December 31 at local administrative welfare centers and through the WelfareNet June 14, 2026

Expansion of Major Disaster Prevention Initiatives Nationwide with Tailored Support for 11 Local Governments A nationwide expansion of tailored major disaster prevention initiatives is underway, focusing on vulnerable groups in industrial settings, such as small businesses and foreign workers. On June 14, the Ministry of Employment and Labor announced that 11 local governments are implementing customized safety support for small businesses and foreign workers through the newly introduced "Local Major Disaster Prevention Blind Spot Resolution Project." This initiative allows local governments June 14, 2026

Discounted Food Available Through Delivery Apps Starting June 15 Consumers will soon be able to purchase food nearing its expiration date or unsold items at discounted prices through delivery apps. The Ministry of Climate, Energy, and Environment announced on June 14 that it will launch a smartphone app and web-based service for unsold food discounts starting June 15, in collaboration with platform operators and food retailers.This service aims to provide consumers with information about unsold food items from restaurants, bakeries, and convenience stores, th June 14, 2026

Financial Supervisory Service Chief Warns of Growing AI-Driven Cyber Threats The Financial Supervisory Service (FSS) has initiated a review of cybersecurity measures in the finance sector amid increasing hacking sophistication driven by advanced artificial intelligence (AI). FSS Chairman Lee Chan-jin emphasized the need for financial company executives to take direct responsibility for security. On June 12, Lee visited the Financial Security Institute's Cybersecurity Control Center in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province, to assess the progress of the "2026 First Half Blind June 14, 2026

Lee Byung-hoon Appointed as New Head of Korea Industrial Human Resources Agency Lee Byung-hoon, a former professor at Chung-Ang University, has officially taken office as the new head of the Korea Industrial Human Resources Agency (KIHRA).KIHRA announced on June 14 that Lee has been appointed as its 17th chairman, effective June 15, with a term lasting until June 14, 2029.His appointment followed a recommendation from the agency's executive recommendation committee and the Minister of Employment and Labor, culminating in presidential approval. Lee will oversee key operation June 14, 2026

South Korea's Finance Ministry Selects Four Innovative AI Projects A generative artificial intelligence (AI) service that automatically converts press releases into card news and drafts audit opinions has been recognized as an outstanding project at the Finance Ministry's hackathon. The Ministry of Finance held the "Generative AI Service Discovery Hackathon" from June 10 to 12 at the Narakium Training Center in Taean, South Chungcheong Province. The event aimed to integrate generative AI technology into key areas of the ministry's work, including ec June 14, 2026

Kyungdong Navien Fined $52,000 for Improper Subcontracting Practices Kyungdong Navien, the leading boiler manufacturer in South Korea, has been penalized by the Fair Trade Commission for failing to issue legally required written contracts during its subcontracting process.On June 14, the Fair Trade Commission announced it would impose a fine of 52 million won ($52,000) on Kyungdong Navien for violations of subcontracting laws.According to the commission, from June 2021 to June 2024, Kyungdong Navien failed to properly issue a total of 436 price agreements to 98 s June 14, 2026

Minister Jeong Eun-kyeong: Past Year Focused on Normalizing Social Welfare, Administrative Efforts to Build Basic Safety Net As the second year of the Yoon Suk-yeol administration begins, the Ministry of Health and Welfare has defined the past year as a period of preparation for normalizing social welfare and restructuring the system. Starting in the second half of the year, the ministry plans to focus its administrative efforts on building a comprehensive 'basic safety net' to address polarization and welfare crises. Additionally, it has unveiled a blueprint to cultivate the biohealth industry as a leading nati June 14, 2026

Hyundai Card's Jeong Tae-young Transforms from Brand Builder to AI Entrepreneur Few executives have disrupted the traditional order of South Korea's financial industry like Jeong Tae-young, Vice Chairman of Hyundai Card. While the card industry remained focused on interest rates, fees, and sales networks, he integrated design, culture, data, and technology into finance. He transformed Hyundai Card from a mere payment company into a recognized brand, innovating everything from card plate designs to super concerts, PLCC, and Apple Pay, thereby changing market rules.However, a June 14, 2026