AJU PRESS ASIA FIRST NEWS AGENCY

Journalist

BAEK SEO HYUN
  • Israeli Forces Expand Ground Operations in Southern Lebanon, Capture Strategic Bofor
    Israeli Forces Expand Ground Operations in Southern Lebanon, Capture Strategic Bofor Israeli forces announced on May 31 that they have expanded ground operations targeting the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, successfully capturing the strategic location of Bofor. In a statement, the Israeli military reported that ground operations commenced in the Bofor ridge and the Wadi Saluki valley in southern Lebanon. Prior to the ground assault, the Israeli Air Force conducted extensive airstrikes on Hezbollah facilities, supported by artillery and tank units. The Israeli military stated that the operation aims to strengthen operational control in southern Lebanon and eliminate the threat posed by Hezbollah to northern Israel. Bofor is considered a key strategic point in southern Lebanon, featuring a hilltop fortress from the 12th-century Crusader era, providing a vantage point over northern Israel's Galilee region and Hezbollah's stronghold in Nabatiyeh. The Israeli military claims that significant military infrastructure built by Hezbollah with Iranian support is concentrated in the Bofor and Wadi Saluki areas. It also noted that Hezbollah has launched hundreds of rockets from this region toward Israeli forces and northern Israel. The capture of Bofor marks the first time Israeli forces have taken control of the area since their withdrawal from Lebanon in 2000. Israel occupied the region during the 1982 Lebanon War and maintained control until their withdrawal. Recently, under the direction of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli military has increased pressure on Hezbollah. Operations have expanded beyond the 'Yellow Line,' the control line near the border, with advancements reported as far as the Litani River in southern Lebanon on May 29. This offensive comes at a time when negotiations for a ceasefire between the United States and Iran are ongoing. Reports indicate that Iran has demanded a ceasefire in Lebanon during the talks, raising concerns that Israel's ground operations could impact the negotiations. In a video statement, Netanyahu remarked, "We have returned to Bofor stronger than ever," describing the capture of Bofor as a significant turning point in Israeli military operations. He emphasized, "Israel has secured dominance across all fronts, including Syria, Gaza, and Lebanon."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-31 20:51:00
  • Jung Cheong-rae: Record Early Voting Turnout Favors Democratic Party
    Jung Cheong-rae: Record Early Voting Turnout Favors Democratic Party Jung Cheong-rae, head of the Democratic Party's central election campaign committee, assessed that the record early voting turnout for the June 3 local elections is "not unfavorable for the Democratic Party." According to the National Election Commission on May 31, the early voting rate for this local election reached 23.51%, the highest level recorded in local elections to date. After completing a campaign rally in Chungbuk with candidates Shin Yong-han for governor and Ha Yu-jeong for county mayor, Jung told reporters, "The greatest zeitgeist in South Korea is the success of the Lee Jae-myung administration," adding, "I believe many people who want to support the Lee Jae-myung government came out to vote." He noted, "As early voting becomes established, citizens tend to perceive the voting period as effectively three days," but emphasized that considering the active participation of voters, he does not view the early voting results as unfavorable for the Democratic Party. Jung further stated, "Even with a conservative analysis, the early voting rate is not unfavorable for the Democratic Party," and added, "I actually think it indicates a slightly more favorable trend for us." Regarding the upcoming central election committee meeting in Cheonan, Chungnam, he explained, "Public sentiment in the central region is an important barometer for elections," and noted that the final meeting is aimed at boosting support in Cheonan, the largest city in Chungnam. He also expressed that he felt the returning support for Democratic candidates during his campaign in Chungbuk, stating, "I sensed that public sentiment in the central region is returning, and there is a growing atmosphere to support the Lee Jae-myung government in the Chungcheong area."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-31 20:21:00
  • Kang Hoon-sik Travels to Canada to Support Submarine Bid and Energy Cooperation
    Kang Hoon-sik Travels to Canada to Support Submarine Bid and Energy Cooperation Kang Hoon-sik, Chief of Staff to President Lee Jae-myung, is visiting Canada as a special envoy for strategic economic cooperation. His trip is expected to focus on expanding energy and supply chain collaboration, as well as supporting a major submarine project involving South Korean companies. On May 31, Kang departed for Canada with officials from the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, along with representatives from businesses and organizations in the energy, resources, supply chain, and advanced industries sectors. This visit aims to discuss ways to enhance strategic economic cooperation between South Korea and Canada. Strengthening collaboration in energy, critical minerals, and supply chains is anticipated to be a key agenda item. In a Facebook post, Kang stated, "As confirmed during the phone call between the two leaders on May 8, the relationship between South Korea and Canada is rapidly expanding across the economy, energy, and advanced industries. Given the complementary nature of our economic and industrial structures, there is significant potential for cooperation between global middle powers." He added, "As this is the second special envoy visit in four months, I will do my utmost to achieve tangible results in the fields of energy, resources, supply chains, and advanced industries." Political observers believe Kang will participate in the 'Korea-Canada Resource Security Supply Chain Cooperation Forum' and support domestic companies in their bidding activities. A focal point of interest is Canada's next-generation submarine project (CPSP), estimated to be worth up to 60 trillion won. Canada is pursuing a plan to acquire up to 12 diesel submarines to replace its Victoria-class submarines, which are set to be decommissioned in the mid-2030s. Currently, Hanwha Ocean and HD Hyundai Heavy Industries are competing with Germany's TKMS, proposing the 3,600-ton 'Jangbogo-III Batch-II' submarine. The final selection of the contractor is expected to be announced by the end of next month. 2026-05-31 19:39:00
  • Naver Cloud Launches Defense AI Task Force to Target Military Market
    Naver Cloud Launches Defense AI Task Force to Target Military Market Naver Cloud is establishing a new organization dedicated to defense artificial intelligence (AI) and is set to enter the defense AI market. According to industry sources on May 31, Naver Cloud will launch a Defense AI Transformation (AX) Task Force (TF) on June 1, which will be led by CEO Kim Yoo-won. The Defense AX TF will integrate AI model development, business development, and marketing functions. Its goal is to develop AI models specialized for the defense sector and promote their commercialization. A notable feature of this initiative is the deployment of Forward Deployment Engineers (FDE) who will work directly in defense settings to design and implement customized AI solutions. The FDE will collaborate with AI research and development teams and business departments to provide services optimized for defense needs. Naver Cloud's decision to create this organization comes amid a growing global AI competition that is expanding into security domains, highlighting the increasing importance of technological independence and data sovereignty in the defense sector. In areas dealing with sensitive information, such as military secrets, the ability to build and operate services independently of foreign AI models and infrastructure is considered a key competitive advantage. Naver Cloud emphasizes its strengths, including its proprietary super-large AI model, HyperCLOVA X, along with its cloud infrastructure and data centers. The company plans to develop AI solutions tailored to defense and security environments and expand related business operations. Industry observers are watching closely to see if Naver Cloud can establish a business model similar to that of the American AI firm Palantir, which has grown by providing data analytics platforms to government, defense, and intelligence agencies.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-31 19:12:00
  • Naver Labs and Lotte Innovate Expand Physical AI Business
    Naver Labs and Lotte Innovate Expand Physical AI Business As the market for Physical AI, which enables artificial intelligence to perceive and interact with the real world, continues to grow, Naver Labs and Lotte Innovate are enhancing their related businesses. Naver Labs is focusing on building infrastructure that allows robots to navigate spaces, while Lotte Innovate is accelerating the commercialization of service robots and humanoids based on its retail and logistics operations. Naver Labs is concentrating on creating a robot-friendly environment using spatial data technologies such as digital twins, autonomous robots, and high-precision indoor mapping. This infrastructure-based Physical AI strategy supports AI in understanding and moving through real spaces. The key lies in accurately replicating real-world spaces in digital form. Naver Labs is advancing technology that allows robots to autonomously navigate buildings and recognize their surroundings, relying on high-precision indoor maps and location recognition technologies. This foundation enables AI and robots to understand and move through spaces without human intervention. At Naver's second office, known as '1784', autonomous robots are already handling in-house deliveries and logistics tasks. The integration of robots, cloud technology, and digital twin technology has successfully created an environment where AI operates smoothly in real spaces. Lotte Innovate is focusing on the commercialization of AI robots in retail and logistics. Its unique strength lies in the ability to immediately apply AI robots in real-world settings by leveraging the vast infrastructure of its group affiliates. With diverse business sectors including retail, logistics, hotels, and entertainment, the company can quickly validate tailored Physical AI services across industries. Lotte Innovate is expanding its Physical AI business around its integrated AI platform, 'iMember'. This platform combines generative AI, vision AI, and voice AI with group service data to provide customized services. Recently, the company has enhanced the AI agent functionality, further extending its business into the realm of Physical AI that recognizes and interacts with real spaces. A notable example is the humanoid robot 'Roy', which is linked to convenience stores. Utilizing vision AI, Roy can autonomously recognize products on shelves and guide customers with information about product locations and details. It can learn new location information even when product arrangements change. Currently, a proof of concept (PoC) is being conducted in the first-floor store of the Seoul headquarters. At the recent World IT Show (WIS), Roy demonstrated its ability to accurately recognize snacks and beverages in a simulated convenience store environment and respond to customer inquiries. For instance, when a user requests, "Recommend a snack I can buy for 6,000 won," the robot analyzes the shelf with vision AI and provides recommendations based on price and product information, including their locations. It can also assist in finding specific product locations or checking for promotional items at a practical level. Lotte Innovate recently showcased Roy at the Lotte World Tower Sky Run event, demonstrating its humanoid technology. The company plans to expand its application to actual group locations, such as Lotte Mart and logistics centers, to enhance roles in inventory management, product recommendations, and logistics automation. The company is also accelerating efforts to secure global-level AI technology competitiveness. In February, it obtained the international standard certification for AI system quality, 'ISO/IEC 25058', and recently followed up with the certification for the international standard for AI management systems, 'ISO/IEC 42001'. Industry insiders note, "The Physical AI market has transcended simple robot development. Various technological domains, including spatial data, autonomous driving, vision AI, and logistics automation, are organically combining, leading to rapid market expansion." 2026-05-31 13:54:00
  • Koreas Privacy Commission Approves Navers AI Tab After Review
    Korea's Privacy Commission Approves Naver's AI Tab After Review The Personal Information Protection Commission (PIPC) has reviewed and approved Naver's AI agent service, known as "AI Tab." On May 28, the PIPC held a plenary meeting where it concluded the review of Naver's AI Tab service, announcing the decision on May 31. The pre-approval review is a system designed to help companies establish appropriate legal measures when the application of personal information protection laws is unclear during the planning and development of new technologies and services like AI. If companies comply with the agreed-upon measures, they will not face penalties within that scope. Naver applied for the pre-approval review to ensure the safe use of user data ahead of the launch of its AI Tab, which provides personalized search results through interaction with an AI chatbot. The PIPC determined that Naver could legally operate the AI Tab service under personal information protection laws, provided it fulfills the agreed-upon protective measures for users. The key measures include three main points. First, Naver must clearly inform users who do not wish to receive personalized responses about the option to refuse data use and continuously improve measures to ensure users' control over their data based on their feedback. Additionally, Naver is required to transparently disclose the categories and key details of personalized information used in the AI Tab service through its privacy policy and implement additional safety measures to prevent misuse and leakage of personal information. Furthermore, during the analysis of users' service usage history, Naver must ensure that sensitive information is not inferred or utilized, and that unique identifiers such as resident registration numbers, account numbers, and credit card information are not included in AI responses. The PIPC plans to monitor whether Naver complies with these measures once the AI Tab is officially launched.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-31 12:06:00
  • Netmarbles Soul: Enchant Character Name Reservation Closes in 15 Minutes, Second Round Announced
    Netmarble's 'Soul: Enchant' Character Name Reservation Closes in 15 Minutes, Second Round Announced Netmarble's new massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) "Soul: Enchant" saw its character name reservation event close just 15 minutes after it began, demonstrating significant user interest. On May 29 at 8 p.m., the first round of character name reservations ended early, prompting Netmarble to expand server capacity and announce a second round on May 31. The second round of character name reservations will run until June 5 at 8 p.m. It will cover the same six worlds and 30 servers as the first round, allowing users to claim a unique character name on a first-come, first-served basis across all servers. To participate in the character name reservation, users must register in advance and log in through the Netmarble integrated authentication process on the official "Soul: Enchant" brand site. Additionally, Netmarble released a teaser video for a live broadcast scheduled for June 11 on its official YouTube channel. A pre-question board has also been established on the official site to gather user inquiries. Meanwhile, "Soul: Enchant" is currently accepting pre-registrations ahead of its official launch on June 18 at noon. Users can register through the official brand site and app markets, with participants receiving various in-game rewards, including an "Infinite Stamina Potion." Netmarble plans to sequentially release game information and in-game videos through its official site and YouTube channel in the coming weeks.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-31 10:15:00
  • Kakao Union Announces June Strike Amid Trust Issues with Management
    Kakao Union Announces June Strike Amid Trust Issues with Management The Kakao union, known as Crew Union, announced plans to prepare for a strike next month following the Labor Commission's decision to halt mediation. The union criticized the company's passive negotiation stance. In a statement released on May 28, the Kakao branch of the union stated, "The cessation of mediation after months of negotiations is not merely due to wage differences, but a result of the breakdown of trust between the company and its employees. The company has consistently responded passively rather than making responsible decisions." The union has been advocating for not only wage increases but also improvements to the opaque performance compensation structure and organizational measures to restore trust. They pointed out that the company unilaterally distributed bonuses during negotiations and frequently changed negotiation representatives, undermining the continuity of discussions. The union emphasized, "With nearly half of this year gone, many employees have yet to receive the application of normal wage agreements. True management reform should begin with restoring trust among employees, not through cost-cutting or organizational restructuring." The union also highlighted the recent resignation of Hong Mintak, Kakao's Chief Product Officer, and the announcement of layoffs at XL Games during the mediation process. They argued that accumulated management risks and repeated controversies within the Kakao community have increased distrust among employees. While the Kakao branch stated that it would not completely close off the possibility of dialogue after the mediation halt, they added, "We can no longer resolve issues through mere waiting and patience. We will prepare for a strike in June with our members to ensure that the value of labor is justly respected and that the company's achievements are fairly distributed."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-28 16:04:00
  • Privacy Commission Recommends Improvements to Face Recognition System for Mobile Phone Registration
    Privacy Commission Recommends Improvements to Face Recognition System for Mobile Phone Registration The Personal Information Protection Commission has recommended improvements to the face recognition system implemented during mobile phone registration, citing inadequate privacy protections. On May 28, the commission announced that it had approved a set of recommendations regarding the operation of the face recognition system during mobile phone registration at its plenary meeting the previous day. The Ministry of Science and ICT has been piloting the face recognition system since December as part of a government initiative to combat voice phishing. This system compares a photo of the user's ID with their live face in real time. The commission's investigation found that the ministry had not sufficiently considered the sensitivity of biometric data from a privacy protection perspective. Under the Personal Information Protection Act, facial data is classified as sensitive information and can only be processed with the consent of the individual or a clear legal basis. Concerns were raised about the lack of clarity in existing telecommunications laws regarding the use of facial data as a means of identity verification during mobile phone registration. Additionally, the commission noted that users effectively have no choice but to accept face recognition, which undermines their ability to opt out. It also suggested that the scope of data processed by the contractor's system should be minimized. The commission urged the ministry to thoroughly review the necessity, applicability, effectiveness, appropriateness, and proportionality of processing biometric data before formal implementation. It emphasized the need to operate the system according to the principle of privacy by design (PbD) and to clarify legal grounds and protections for individuals' rights. The commission plans to monitor the implementation of these recommendations and support efforts to ensure that government-wide measures against voice phishing are carried out within a framework that protects personal information.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-28 11:06:00
  • Melon Launches Global K-Chart with Chinese and Japanese Platforms to Reflect Fan Engagement
    Melon Launches Global K-Chart with Chinese and Japanese Platforms to Reflect Fan Engagement Kakao Entertainment is set to unveil a new chart that reflects the global K-pop fandom, collaborating with music platforms in China and Japan. This initiative aims to showcase the global influence of K-pop artists by incorporating not only streaming data but also actual fan engagement metrics. On May 28, Kakao Entertainment announced the criteria for the upcoming 'Global K-Chart,' which will be jointly launched in June by its music platform Melon, Tencent Music Entertainment from China, and Line Music from Japan. The Global K-Chart will compile data from major music platforms in Korea, China, and Japan to measure the global impact of K-pop artists. It will be updated simultaneously on Melon, Tencent Music, and Line Music, featuring both an integrated global chart and detailed charts for each platform. A key feature of the chart is its inclusion of fan activity metrics, in addition to music streaming figures. Melon will account for user numbers related to streaming and downloads, as well as fan interactions such as likes and follows. Each platform will adapt certain metrics to fit their specific service environments. Kakao Entertainment aims to establish a new K-pop metric that goes beyond simple popularity rankings, reflecting the actual responses and engagement levels of fandoms. Given that Korea, China, and Japan are critical regions in the global K-pop market, the comprehensive data from local fans is expected to provide a more nuanced view of global trends. A Melon representative stated, "The Global K-Chart goes beyond merely counting artists with high streaming numbers; it captures various traces of fan reactions and actions towards artists' activities. We hope that the chart, which directly reflects the genuine sentiments of fans in Korea, China, and Japan, will serve as a meaningful platform for K-pop artists to engage more deeply with their global fandoms and expand their reach."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-28 09:55:53