Journalist
Kim Hee-su김희수
khs@ajupress.com
ReporterMinistry of Foreign Affairs, Seoul City Hall & Defense, Foreign Affairs
Kim Hee-su is a bilingual reporter at AJU Press, covering defense and foreign affairs. Before joining AJP in 2025, she worked at The Korea Times, where she wrote interview stories, including a profile of North Korean defector Kim Gum-hyok, and produced digital content. She also previously worked as a researcher for KBS News 9’s International News Department, supporting correspondents in 10 countries around the world. She graduated from the University of Toronto in Canada with a double major in Book and Media Studies and East Asian Studies.
"I'm driven by storytelling."
Latest by Kim Hee-su
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US approves $292 million sale of AMRAAM missiles to South Korea SEOUL, June 11 (AJP) - The United States has approved the sale of advanced medium-range air-to-air missiles and related equipment to South Korea in a deal worth $292 million, the State Department said Wednesday. The department said it approved a possible Foreign Military Sale to Seoul of 70 AIM-120C-8 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles, known as AMRAAMs, and two AMRAAM guidance sections. The package also includes AMRAAM containers, control sections, support equipment, spare parts, weapons system support, and classified and unclassified software, according to the department. The State Department said the proposed sale will support U.S. foreign policy and national security objectives by improving the security of a major ally that it described as an important force for political stability and economic progress in the Indo-Pacific region. It said the sale will improve South Korea’s ability to meet current and future threats by expanding its air defense capabilities, deterring regional aggression and ensuring interoperability with U.S. forces. The department added that the proposed sale “will not alter the basic military balance in the region” and “will have no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness.” 2026-06-11 11:19:28 -
Second Korean vessel exits Strait of Hormuz after being stranded amid Middle East war SEOUL, June 11 (AJP) - A second Korean vessel stranded near the Strait of Hormuz due to the Middle East war has passed through the waterway, South Korea’s Oceans Ministry said Thursday. The latest passage came after the HMM-operated tanker Universal Winner became the first Korean vessel to exit the strait. The tanker, carrying 2 million barrels of crude oil, arrived at the port of Ulsan on Wednesday. The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries said the second vessel was a liquefied natural gas carrier operated by a Korean shipping company. Eight Korean crew members were aboard the ship, which has now left the Strait of Hormuz and is sailing safely, according to the ministry. The vessel is headed to a third country, not South Korea, officials said. Negotiations with Iran to secure the vessel’s passage were reportedly led by the foreign charterer. A charterer refers to a company that leases a vessel from its owner or operator. “The ministry is supporting safe navigation through real-time monitoring and other measures,” the ministry said. “Detailed information on the vessel, including the shipping company, vessel name and charterer, cannot be disclosed in consideration of the crew members and the shipping company.” With the latest passage, the number of Korean vessels stranded in the Strait of Hormuz has fallen to 24. A total of 139 Korean crew members, including those aboard foreign-flagged vessels, remain in the area. The Foreign Ministry said Seoul has continued to stress to Iran the need for the swift and safe navigation of all vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, including Korean ships. “We are also continuing communication with relevant countries on the matter,” the ministry said. 2026-06-11 10:50:49 -
North Korea's nuclear spending rises as global focus on denuclearization fades SEOUL, June 10 (AJP) - North Korea spent an estimated $656 million on its nuclear weapons program last year, according to a new report that underscores Pyongyang's steady advance toward a larger nuclear arsenal as wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, along with intensifying great-power rivalry, push denuclearization further down the global agenda. The International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons, or ICAN, said in its latest report that the world's nine nuclear-armed states spent a record $119 billion on their nuclear arsenals in 2025, up $16.8 billion, or 19 percent from a year earlier. The figure means the nine countries spent $3,768 every second on nuclear weapons last year, according to the report titled Premeditated: Nuclear Weapons Spending in 2025. The United States accounted for the largest share, spending $69.2 billion, more than all other nuclear-armed states combined. China came second with $13.5 billion, followed by the United Kingdom with $12.6 billion, Russia with $9.5 billion and France with $7.7 billion. North Korea's estimated spending was the smallest in absolute terms among the nine nuclear-armed states, but the figure carries particular significance for South Korea because Pyongyang's nuclear arsenal remains the most immediate security threat on the Korean Peninsula. ICAN estimated North Korea's nuclear weapons spending at $655.8 million, or 590 billion North Korean won, in 2025, up about $26 million from the previous year. The group said North Korea spent roughly $1,248 every minute on its nuclear program. The report noted that there is very little public information about North Korea's nuclear or military spending. ICAN based its estimate on assumptions that North Korea allocates about 35 percent of its gross national income to the military and about 6 percent of its military budget to its nuclear program. The estimate highlights how Pyongyang continues to channel resources into nuclear weapons despite years of international sanctions and persistent economic hardship. According to the report, North Korea spent 3,854 times its assessed contribution to the United Nations on its nuclear arsenal in 2025. ICAN also estimated that the amount devoted to nuclear weapons could have helped save the lives of some 4 million people facing acute food insecurity. For every North Korean citizen, the regime spent about $25 on its nuclear arsenal last year, the report said. One hour of nuclear weapons spending would have covered the annual salaries of 62 state workers. The findings come as North Korea appears increasingly confident in advancing its nuclear ambitions. Pyongyang has deepened military cooperation with Russia since supplying troops, artillery shells and weapons systems to support Moscow's war in Ukraine. The relationship is believed to have provided North Korea with additional financial resources, technological assistance and diplomatic backing, easing some of the pressure that years of international sanctions sought to impose. The growing nuclear burden also comes as China appears less willing to publicly emphasize denuclearization in its dealings with Pyongyang. During this week's summit between Chinese President Xi Jinping and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in Pyongyang, Chinese and North Korean state media highlighted stronger bilateral ties and expanded cooperation but made no public mention of denuclearization. The omission has fueled concerns among some analysts that Beijing may be moving closer to tacitly accepting North Korea's nuclear status, or at least prioritizing strategic competition with the United States and regional stability over renewed pressure on Pyongyang. That shift could further complicate Seoul's diplomatic approach. South Korea has long viewed China as an important stakeholder in efforts to restrain North Korea's nuclear ambitions. Beijing's silence on denuclearization at the summit, however, suggests such expectations may be increasingly difficult to sustain as geopolitical alignments harden across Northeast Asia. Asked at Tuesday's briefing whether China's omission signaled a shift in Beijing's approach, the Foreign Ministry said Seoul's position remains unchanged. "The denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula is a consistent goal of the international community confirmed by multiple U.N. Security Council resolutions," Foreign Ministry spokesperson Park Il said. "Our government will continue to uphold that goal without wavering." The long-term outlook raises concerns in Seoul, where North Korea's expanding nuclear and missile capabilities have fueled calls for stronger deterrence measures. The government has launched plans to pursue nuclear-powered submarines armed with conventional weapons, arguing they would strengthen South Korea's ability to counter North Korea's growing submarine-based nuclear and missile threats. Experts say Pyongyang's nuclear buildup is increasingly tied to a broader military modernization effort. "North Korea is using the maritime domain as a core battlefield to advance and operationalize its nuclear weapons," said Ban Kil-joo, assistant professor at the Korea National Diplomatic Academy. "South Korea now needs a multilayered diplomatic and security strategy based not only on its own capabilities and the South Korea-U.S. alliance." 2026-06-10 17:19:48 -
Hanwha Qcells completes US solar hub, to begin cell production in July SEOUL, June 10 (AJP) - Hanwha Solutions Qcells has completed its solar cell production line at its Cartersville plant in Georgia and will begin mass production in July, the company said Wednesday. With the completion, Hanwha Qcells has finalized the construction of its U.S. “solar hub,” an integrated solar manufacturing base that covers the full value chain from ingots and wafers to cells and modules. The company said its U.S. production capacity now stands at 3.3 gigawatts each for ingots, wafers and cells, and 8.6 gigawatts for modules, making it the largest silicon-based solar module manufacturer in North America. The completion of the solar hub is expected to strengthen the company’s profitability by expanding benefits from U.S. clean energy policies. The company also expects its U.S.-made modules to gain a price premium in the American market, as the use of U.S.-made cells is considered important for solar project developers seeking to qualify for the Domestic Content Bonus Credit under the U.S. Inflation Reduction Act. Under the credit, developers that meet domestic content requirements can receive an additional tax credit equivalent to 10 percent of their total investment. Hanwha Qcells said it has maintained a strong position in the U.S. solar module market. Citing global research firm Wood Mackenzie, the company said it held a 38.5 percent share of the U.S. residential module market and a 15.5 percent share of the commercial module market in 2025. The figures marked the company’s eighth consecutive year at No. 1 in the U.S. residential module market and its seventh consecutive year at No. 1 in the commercial module market. “The completion of the U.S. solar hub is a milestone that reflects the technological and business capabilities Hanwha Qcells has steadily built despite external uncertainties and market changes,” said Park Seung-deok, CEO of Hanwha Qcells. “It is also significant in that we have established a strategic base to move beyond solar manufacturing and become a comprehensive renewable energy company,” he said. 2026-06-10 13:19:27 -
Seoul sees no rift with Washington over nuclear subs despite U.S. bill SEOUL, June 09 (AJP) - South Korea said Tuesday there is no disagreement with the United States over its ambition to build nuclear-powered submarines domestically, despite a move in the U.S. Congress to bar Navy combat vessels from being built at foreign shipyards. The government said Washington understands Seoul's plans and that the two sides remain in "close consultations" following the launch of follow-up talks on security agreements earlier this month. "As you know, South Korea and the United States held a launch meeting on June 2 and 3 for follow-up consultations on security agreements included in the joint fact sheet," a Foreign Ministry official told AJP during a regular briefing. "During the meeting, our side explained in detail our basic plan for developing nuclear-powered submarines," the official said. "The two sides share an understanding on the importance of such cooperation, and the government will continue close consultations with the U.S. side to produce substantive results based on that understanding." The remarks came after the House Armed Services Committee last Friday approved amendments to the National Defense Authorization Act sponsored by Rep. Jared Golden (D-Maine), including a provision prohibiting the use of Navy funds to procure battle-force ships built in foreign shipyards. The measure is aimed at preventing the U.S. Navy from outsourcing warship construction overseas amid debate in Washington over whether allied shipbuilders in South Korea and Japan should help address chronic delays and capacity shortages in the U.S. shipbuilding industry. "American military spending should support American jobs," Golden said after the committee vote. "The idea that we would build any portion of our surface fleet on foreign soil with foreign labor is unconscionable." The amendment represents a setback for proposals associated with the "Make American Shipbuilding Great Again" initiative, which envisioned a larger role for Korean capital and shipbuilders in revitalizing U.S. shipbuilding capacity. Still, Seoul does not appear to view the congressional move as directly targeting its own nuclear-powered submarine program. According to government officials, South Korea's plan centers on building the submarines domestically using South Korean shipyards and technology while seeking cooperation from the United States on low-enriched uranium fuel. The proposal has become a key element of Seoul's effort to strengthen deterrence against North Korea's expanding submarine-launched ballistic missile and nuclear capabilities. The House provision specifically targets U.S. Navy combat vessels rather than allied naval programs. The NDAA amendment is also far from becoming law. The House bill must still pass the full chamber before being reconciled with the Senate's version of the defense authorization legislation. Nevertheless, the debate has highlighted growing resistance within parts of Washington to expanding foreign participation in sensitive naval programs. Sen. Angus King of Maine was quoted by Breaking Defense as saying that building ships and destroyers in South Korea or Japan would be "the worst idea since the Red Sox traded Babe Ruth to the Yankees." "It doesn't make sense to be handing over that level of technology, even to our allies," he said. Golden has similarly argued that U.S. shipbuilding jobs should remain in the United States. "In the same year that American shipbuilders might get laid off, the U.S. Navy wants to employ foreign workers," he said, according to Breaking Defense. Industry officials say divisions remain inside the U.S. government over how much participation foreign shipbuilders should be allowed in future naval programs. A senior industry official familiar with the matter said there remains strong resistance within parts of the U.S. Navy toward relying on foreign shipyards, while skepticism persists inside the Pentagon over transferring sensitive naval technologies. The State Department appears more open to discussions, the official said, but lacks the authority to move forward without broader consensus across the U.S. national security establishment. South Korean and U.S. officials agreed after the June 2-3 launch meeting to move as quickly as possible toward tangible outcomes and establish a mechanism to review progress throughout the year. No timetable has been announced for the next round of consultations. 2026-06-09 17:24:09 -
Hanwha Qcells to supply tandem solar cells for NASA-funded lunar experiment SEOUL, June 09 (AJP) - Hanwha Qcells will supply its next-generation tandem solar cells for a lunar surface solar power demonstration project, the company said Tuesday, as it seeks to test the technology’s potential use in space environments. Hanwha Q CELLS GmbH, the company’s German unit, will provide samples of its perovskite-based tandem cells for the Space Science & Technology Evaluation Facility – First Flight Lunar In-Situ Solar Cell Experiment, or SSTEF-1, a project funded by NASA and led by U.S.-based Aegis Aerospace Inc. The Georgia Tech Research Institute, a nonprofit applied research unit under the Georgia Institute of Technology, selected Hanwha Qcells’ tandem cells for the demonstration mission to evaluate solar cell performance in space. The samples will be installed on the surface of a lunar lander and exposed to the space environment to collect data under conditions different from those on Earth, including vacuum, extreme temperature fluctuations, ultraviolet radiation and cosmic radiation. The research will be led by W. Jud Ready, principal research engineer at GTRI and director of Georgia Tech’s Space Research Institute. Hanwha Qcells said it plans to use data from the project to shape its research and development roadmap for highly reliable space solar power technologies. Tandem technology, seen as a potential game changer for the future terrestrial solar market, uses a perovskite top cell and a silicon bottom cell to capture different wavelengths of light. The company said the technology could also offer advantages for space applications by achieving high efficiency while reducing weight compared with conventional solar cells with the same installed capacity. Hanwha Qcells is aiming to commercialize tandem products for terrestrial use by 2029, while also expanding the technology into the space solar power sector. Hanwha Qcells said it is also testing its tandem modules outdoors at its Thalheim R&D center and a third-party site, where they have maintained stable power generation for about one year and six months, respectively. “Space solar power is not only a future energy source that can effectively respond to rapidly growing electricity demand beyond the limits of terrestrial solar power, but also a platform industry with major ripple effects across key industries closely linked to security, including AI data centers, defense and communications,” said Park Seung-deok, CEO of Hanwha Qcells. “Based on the technological capabilities and market competitiveness we have built in solar manufacturing, Hanwha Qcells will leap forward as a global renewable energy solutions company opening the era of space solar power,” he said. “This project will be an important turning point in expanding the potential of sustainable energy into space.” 2026-06-09 11:28:14 -
South Korea at odds with Japan as allies seek broader security ties SEOUL, June 8 (AJP) - South Korea is increasingly seen as a security partner as U.S. allies look to strengthen ties amid doubts growing about how reliable Washington's broader defense commitments really are. But President Lee Jae Myung appears reluctant to deepen military cooperation with Japan, casting uncertainty on how far Seoul is willing to go. During a press conference in Seoul on Monday marking his first anniversary in office, President Lee Jae Myung was asked about pursuing an Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement (ACSA) with Japan, which simplifies logistical support and supplies. He said he had told Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi that it would be difficult for South Korea to accept such an arrangement at this stage due to public sentiment. "I believe there is a practical need," Lee said. "But if I say this, I will get in trouble. Please understand our position." His remarks came as Europe searches for new security umbrellas in the face of Russia's continued threat, the war in Ukraine and concerns that U.S. President Donald Trump could scale back its military presence in Europe. The debate has gained attention after Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto called for NATO to expand beyond Europe and North America to include countries such as Australia, Brazil, India, Japan, and South Korea. In an interview with the New York Times, Crosetto said NATO should seek new members beyond its traditional geographic boundaries because "the world has evolved." He also said the alliance should no longer remain a "club for the elites of the global north," arguing that a broader organization is needed to provide security and stability across the world. The same anxiety has also revived interest in joining the European Union. Nine countries currently have EU candidate status including Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Georgia, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, Turkey and Ukraine. Moldova and Ukraine applied for EU membership soon after Russia's invasion of Ukraine, while several Western Balkan countries are seeking to speed up accession talks. In northern Europe, Iceland is set to hold a referendum in August on whether to resume EU accession negotiations, and calls for another debate on EU membership have also resurfaced in Norway. The trend reflects a broader shift in Europe, where the EU is increasingly seen not only as an economic bloc but also as a security umbrella at a time when U.S. commitments appear less predictable. For South Korea, such discussions carry both opportunity and burden. South Korea's growing defense exports and its role in the Indo-Pacific have made it a more visible player in discussions about global security. But Seoul's approach to Japan shows that broader security cooperation is constrained not only by strategy, but also by domestic sentiment, historical disputes and distrust over Japan's expanding military role. Japan has repeatedly raised the issue of an ACSA in recent defense consultations with South Korea, but Seoul has effectively dismissed the idea, saying it is not considering such an agreement. An ACSA is not a mutual defense treaty or a combat pact. It is a logistics-sharing arrangement that allows militaries to exchange supplies and services such as fuel, food, transportation, maintenance and medical support during joint drills, peacekeeping operations, disaster relief missions or other contingencies. Such agreements are common among allies and friendly countries and are meant to make joint operations more efficient by allowing forces to share supplies and services. Ban Kil-joo, a professor of international security at the Korea National Diplomatic Academy, said an ACSA itself is not unusual, as such logistics-sharing agreements can be signed not only between allies but also between friendly countries. But he said an ACSA between the two neighboring countries carries a different meaning because they are geographically close and their military cooperation cannot be separated from their shared history. He said such an agreement could allow the two countries to use each other's ports and exchange supplies when necessary, which may appear natural in peacetime. But in a wartime context, it could create room for Japan to become involved on the Korean Peninsula. "If a second Korean War breaks out on the Korean Peninsula, Japan could provide logistics support under the agreement, which would mean Japan becoming involved," Ban said. "That would create an uncomfortable point when viewed in light of the history between South Korea and Japan." He also warned that the agreement could create risks in the opposite direction, as South Korea could face pressure to support Japan in a conflict, potentially drawing Seoul indirectly into a Taiwan contingency. The concern has become more politically charged as Japan moves beyond the security limits it adopted after World War II and seeks to become a more "normal" military power. Tokyo has revised its defense export rules to allow the transfer of lethal weapons, expanded defense spending and acquired counterstrike capabilities, steps that signal a shift toward active combat readiness. Ban said South Korea does not need to completely shut the door on discussing an ACSA with Japan. But he said moving directly to such an agreement at the early stage of renewed shuttle diplomacy between Seoul and Tokyo would be premature. Military cooperation, he said, should proceed gradually, starting with less sensitive areas such as search and rescue exercises. One example is the SAREX drill conducted by the South Korean Navy and Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force in international waters southeast of Jeju on Sunday for the first time in nine years. Such steps could help Seoul and Tokyo build trust before moving toward more institutionalized military cooperation. Ban said South Korea should also review whether the risks surrounding an ACSA can be reduced before deciding whether to move forward. Lee also said South Korea and Japan should continue managing areas where cooperation is possible, despite disputes over history and territory. But he added that military cooperation between South Korea and Japan, as well as trilateral military cooperation among South Korea, the U.S. and Japan, remains a unique and sensitive issue. "In the long term, I believe Northeast Asia's security should move toward a complex multilateral security system," Lee said. "But there are aspects we need to be careful about for now." Still, Ban said trilateral cooperation among South Korea, the U.S. and Japan could gain more leverage if NATO weakens under growing uncertainty over U.S. commitments. He said such cooperation is important not only for regional stability and deterrence against North Korean threats, but also for managing alliance with Washington. The challenge for Seoul is how to strengthen such cooperation without moving too quickly on politically sensitive military arrangements with Japan. 2026-06-08 16:57:58 -
US House panel passes defense bill provision barring foreign construction of Navy warships SEOUL, June 08 (AJP) - A U.S. House committee has approved a provision in the fiscal 2027 defense policy bill that would prohibit the Navy from using funds to build warships at foreign shipyards, a move that could complicate Washington’s recent push to tap allied shipbuilding capacity, including South Korean yards. Rep. Jared Golden, a Democrat from Maine, said in a press release on Friday that the House Armed Services Committee had adopted his amendment to the fiscal 2027 National Defense Authorization Act, or NDAA, saying, “Under a provision in the NDAA approved by the House Armed Services Committee early this morning, the U.S. Navy will have to scrap plans to send shipbuilding jobs overseas.” The NDAA is an annual bill that authorizes defense spending and sets policy priorities for the Pentagon. It must still pass both the House and Senate and be signed by the president before taking effect. The House Armed Services Committee passed the fiscal 2027 NDAA on June 5 in a 44-12 vote after considering a series of amendments. Golden said two of his amendments were approved by the committee, including one aimed at blocking what he called the Navy’s outsourcing plan. According to his office, the amendment states that none of the funds authorized for the Navy in fiscal 2027 may be obligated or spent to enter into a procurement plan for a battle force ship that would be built in a foreign shipyard. “American military spending should support American jobs,” Golden said. “The idea that any part of our surface fleet would be built on foreign soil, by foreign labor, is unacceptable.” He added that the plan posed a threat to U.S. industry, jobs and national security. The provision is not final, as the bill still needs approval from the full House and must be reconciled with the Senate’s version. Still, if the restriction survives the legislative process, it could affect recent Pentagon discussions on using allied shipyards to help procure next-generation naval vessels. South Korean shipbuilders have been seen as possible partners as Washington seeks to address delays, cost overruns and limited capacity in its own naval shipbuilding sector. The move could also weigh on broader South Korea-U.S. shipbuilding cooperation under the MASGA initiative, short for “Make American Shipbuilding Great Again,” which has been promoted as part of efforts to strengthen U.S. maritime industrial capacity through cooperation with allies. Breaking Defense reported last month that the Pentagon had requested $1.85 billion to study and potentially procure future Navy ships from allied shipbuilders, including yards in South Korea and Japan. South Korean shipbuilders have expanded their presence in the U.S. shipbuilding and maintenance market in recent years, while Seoul and Washington have discussed ways to link Korea’s shipbuilding capacity with U.S. efforts to rebuild its maritime industrial base. 2026-06-08 11:22:19 -
Seoul, Tokyo hold first rescue drill in 9 years SEOUL, June 08 (AJP) - South Korea and Japan held a bilateral search and rescue exercise in international waters southeast of Jeju Island on Sunday, marking the first such drill between the two countries in nine years amid efforts to rebuild defense ties. The maritime exercise, known as SAREX, is designed to rehearse joint procedures for responding to maritime emergencies involving distressed vessels and was held for the first time since December 2017. The South Korean Navy deployed the 4,900-ton Cheonjabong landing ship tank (LST-II), while Japan’s Maritime Self-Defense Force participated with the 7,250-ton Aegis destroyer Kongo and an SH-60K maritime helicopter. During the exercise, the two sides conducted joint firefighting drills simulating a fire aboard a distressed vessel, while the Japanese SH-60K helicopter carried out takeoff and landing operations on the flight deck of the Cheonjabong. South Korea and Japan launched the search and rescue exercise program in 1999 and had conducted 10 rounds of drills every two years through 2017. The exercise was suspended after bilateral defense ties deteriorated over Japan’s rising sun flag, a symbol many Koreans view as a reminder of Japan’s wartime militarism, during a 2018 fleet review hosted by South Korea, followed by a patrol aircraft dispute. The two sides agreed in January during defense ministerial talks in Japan to resume the exercise and had since coordinated its timing. The schedule was officially confirmed during a bilateral defense ministers’ meeting held on the sidelines of the Shangri-La Dialogue security forum in Singapore on May 30. Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back said during the meeting that resuming the exercise carried “symbolic and declaratory significance,” adding that the two countries should further deepen and develop what he described as a valuable achievement of bilateral cooperation. 2026-06-08 10:19:30 -
Jensen Huang swaps AI chips for K-pop moves on Korean TV show SEOUL, June 06 (AJP) - Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang was spotted dancing during a taping of tvN’s popular talk show “You Quiz on the Block,” drawing playful reactions from Korean fans online. On Saturday, the show’s official social media account released photos from the filming, along with a witty caption that read, “The third-round karaoke session we missed yesterday has come to You Quiz.” In the photos, Huang appeared in his signature black leather jacket and black pants against the backdrop of a traditional Korean hanok. He was seen dancing to “Golden,” a song from the soundtrack of Netflix’s “KPop Demon Hunters,” showing off his easygoing charm. Fans reacted with comments such as, “Is this real, not AI?” “The chairman is working hard,” and “Even Jensen Huang is living this diligently.” Another photo showed Huang sitting next to host Yoo Jae-suk with a bright smile. The two appeared to share a relaxed conversation during the shoot, creating a warm atmosphere on set. This marks Huang’s first appearance on a variety show, both in Korea and overseas, raising interest in what stories he will share on the program. The appearance came during Huang’s latest visit to South Korea. On his first day in Seoul, the Nvidia chief experienced a Korean-style Friday night company dinner in Hongdae, dining on pork belly and soju with SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won, LG Group Chairman Koo Kwang-mo and Naver founder Lee Hae-jin before moving to a fried chicken restaurant for a second round. The gathering lasted about three and a half hours and focused on strengthening cooperation. Huang has often drawn attention during his visits to Korea for actively engaging with local fans. During his visit last October, his first trip to Korea in 15 years, he made headlines for a surprise “chimaek” gathering at Kkanbu Chicken with Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Jae-yong and Hyundai Motor Group Executive Chair Chung Eui-sun. About seven months later, Huang is again drawing attention for his casual interactions with Korean fans during his latest visit. The episode of “You Quiz on the Block” featuring Huang is scheduled to air on Wednesday at 8:45 p.m. 2026-06-06 17:35:29