Seoul Southern District Prosecutors Office Closes Investigation into Discarded Banknote Bands Seoul Southern District Prosecutors Office has concluded its investigation into the so-called "discarded banknote bands" case without filing charges.On June 5, Yonhap News reported that the Southern District Prosecutors Office announced, "There is no evidence to suggest that those responsible for the seized items intentionally damaged or discarded the banknote bands and systematically concealed evidence."This conclusion aligns with earlier assessments from the Supreme Prosecutors' Office and the special investigation team led by Ahn Kwon-seop, which determined that while there were operational errors, they did not warrant criminal prosecution.The controversy over the discarded banknote bands originated in December 2024 during a search of the residence of Jeon Seong-bae, known as "Geonjinbeopsa." Cash bundles worth approximately 50 million won were seized, but it was later revealed that the bands and stickers containing inspection information attached to the banknotes were lost during the prosecution's handling of the case.The Supreme Prosecutors' Office acknowledged operational negligence through its internal review and investigation but found no evidence of organized concealment by higher-ups. The special investigation team also confirmed deficiencies in the documentation of seized items but could not find objective evidence to support any charges. In March, the team effectively concluded that there were no grounds for charges and referred the case to the prosecution.After approximately three months of additional review, the Southern District Prosecutors Office stated, "After closely examining the records referred by the special investigation team, we found the conclusion to be valid and determined that there was no evidence to support the allegations." However, since the allegations originated from the Southern District Prosecutors Office, there are concerns about potential controversy regarding a "self-exoneration" decision.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-05 21:33:00

NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang Emphasizes Need for More Memory in 2027 Jensen Huang, CEO of NVIDIA, met with leaders of major South Korean companies including SK, LG, and Naver for a pork belly gathering during his visit to Korea.During the dinner on June 5 at a restaurant near Hongdae, Huang explained to reporters, "I came to Korea to celebrate the remarkable achievements of our partners this year and to express my gratitude." He added that this year's success is just the beginning, predicting even more significant growth in 2027.This Week's Launch of Four New Products: 'Demand for Korean Semiconductors Will Increase'While dining, Huang shared donuts and crackers named after HBM chips with reporters, expressing his fondness for HBM by saying, "I love HBM." He emphasized the necessity of close collaboration with South Korean companies, highlighting that NVIDIA's products will require substantial amounts of memory semiconductors.He noted that the next-generation AI supercomputer platform, 'Vera Rubin,' will utilize a massive amount of high-bandwidth memory (HBM) and that the new CPU, Vera, will be equipped with a significant amount of low-power, high-performance memory, LPDDR5 (DRAM).Huang also mentioned plans to strengthen partnerships in the fields of robotics and autonomous driving, stating, "We are planning a significant partnership with Hyundai and robotics, and we are solidifying partnerships with Korean companies such as LG, SK Hynix, Samsung, and Naver."He forecasted that while this year featured only one product lineup, next year will see the simultaneous launch of four new products, leading to a busy schedule with Korean companies."A Special Affection for Korea After 25 Years: Our Connection Began with NVIDIA GeForce"Huang shared his deep affection for Korean culture and the longstanding relationship NVIDIA has had with the country. He remarked, "NVIDIA's beginnings were in PC gaming (GeForce), and Korea has been our most steadfast friend for the past 25 years." He mentioned visiting a PC bang as part of his first schedule in Korea, where he met professional gamer 'Faker' (Lee Sang-hyeok) and players from T1.He expressed his love for Korean pork belly, snacks named after HBM chips, and chicken, stating, "I enjoy K-pop and watching K-dramas that bring me to tears." He also announced plans to establish an AI research center in Korea, saying, "We plan to set up an AI research center in Korea and hire specialized personnel, likely in Seoul." 2026-06-05 21:24:00

Putin Receives Letter from Zelensky, Sparking Hopes for Peace Talks Russia announced on June 5 that President Vladimir Putin has received a letter from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky regarding discussions on a peace proposal. According to Yonhap News, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated in an interview with the Russian daily Izvestia that "a written report was delivered yesterday (June 4), and the contents were also conveyed to the president." Peskov noted that President Putin has reviewed the letter and that the topic is likely to be discussed during the main session of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) that day. However, he refrained from commenting on Putin's response, saying, "I do not want to jump ahead." On June 4, President Zelensky publicly proposed an end to the war through direct dialogue in his letter to Putin, urging for an in-person meeting. U.S. President Donald Trump also expressed support for this approach, stating, "We need to meet and make it happen." Peskov expressed hope for the resumption of stalled peace negotiations, stating, "We hope that contacts will resume," and added that communication with the U.S. is ongoing through existing channels. He pointed out inconsistencies in statements from the White House but acknowledged that "President Trump genuinely hopes for a resolution to the situation." Additionally, in an interview with the state-run RIA Novosti, Peskov mentioned that there is a "theoretical 50%" chance of a summit between Presidents Putin and Trump taking place this summer, indicating that it could either happen or not.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-05 21:12:00

Protests Expand to Vote Counting Centers Amid Allegations of Election Fraud Protesters who had previously blocked the Jamsil 7-dong polling station have now moved to the vote counting center, increasing their numbers significantly. According to Yonhap News on June 5, while police deployed around 1,000 officers to transport the ballot boxes, the protesters occupied the entrance area of the counting center, effectively trapping about 100 election officials, facility staff, and journalists who had completed their work. The crowd gathered around the Olympic Park Handball Stadium, starting with 300 in the morning and swelling to 2,000 by the afternoon. Although the stadium has a total of eight entrances across its two floors, the protesters have positioned themselves at all entrances, effectively blocking access to the building. Even after the counting concluded, access remained restricted, forcing some staff to exit through windows. The protesters allowed movement only after verifying identities, and reports indicate that restrictions were tightened for certain media outlets. The demonstrators are demanding a re-election, asserting that they cannot accept the counting results. They are actively encouraging participation through related online channels to expand their numbers. Previously, the Jamsil 7-dong polling station experienced delays on the day of the local elections due to a shortage of ballots, which extended the closing time. Subsequently, the protesters prevented the removal of ballot boxes, causing a delay of approximately 35 hours in transporting them to the counting center. On this day, police deployed about 1,000 riot officers to disperse the protesters and secure the ballot boxes.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-05 20:45:00

UK's Rolls-Royce Faces Backlash Over SMR Project Partnership with South Korea The UK aerospace and defense company Rolls-Royce has sparked a backlash over its decision to assign key processes of its small modular reactor (SMR) project to a South Korean firm, raising concerns about the 'Buy British' policy in the UK. According to a report by Yonhap News, citing the Financial Times, Rolls-Royce SMR signed a design contract in April with Great British Energy Nuclear to construct three SMRs in Wylfa, North Wales. The company has since selected Doosan Enerbility as a strategic partner for the production of major components. Critics argue that this decision contradicts the UK's commitment to prioritize domestic industry in public projects. The UK government aims to source 70% of the supply chain for the project from domestic producers. Rolls-Royce has previously indicated that the British content in the SMR could reach as high as 78%. However, concerns have been raised that with South Korea handling key elements, the UK may be relegated to producing lower-value components. Lawmakers have also expressed concerns. Liam Byrne, chair of the House of Commons Business and Trade Committee from the ruling Labour Party, announced plans to send a letter to ministers seeking clarification on whether this decision aligns with the government's policy to protect domestic industry. Garreth Stace, director general of UK Steel, emphasized, "The revival of nuclear power in the UK should create opportunities for jobs and industrial capability within the country."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-05 20:21:00

Defense Ministry Announces Mid-Year Promotions for Senior Officers The Defense Ministry implemented its mid-year promotions for senior officers as of June 5, 2026. Army Major General Yoon Han-il (currently Chief of Planning and Management at Army Headquarters), Navy Major General Jo Chung-ho (currently Commander of the 1st Fleet), and Air Force Major General Park Hong-jae (currently Director of Operations Planning at the Joint Chiefs of Staff) have been promoted to Lieutenant General. They will assume the roles of Chief of Staff of the Ground Operations Command, Vice Chief of Naval Operations, and Superintendent of the Air Force Academy, respectively. Major General Kim Jong-mook (Army Lieutenant General) will move to become the Commander of the 3rd Army Corps, while Vice Chief of Naval Operations Kwak Kwang-seob (Navy Lieutenant General) will take over as Commander of Naval Operations. Major General Kim is a graduate of the 32nd class of the Army Academy and, like his predecessor, Lieutenant General Lee Sang-ryeol, is an alumnus of the non-commissioned officer academy. Additionally, the Defense Ministry has promoted seven Army Brigadier Generals, two Navy Brigadier Generals, and two Air Force Brigadier Generals to the rank of Major General, with plans to appoint them to key positions such as division commanders, air force commanders, and various staff roles within each branch of the military. The Defense Ministry emphasized that this promotion process focused on selecting outstanding individuals capable of strengthening South Korea's military power and defense capabilities, grounded in a sense of duty to the nation and its people. It added, "In light of North Korea's nuclear and missile threats and the unstable international security situation, we have selected personnel with operational command capabilities and expertise in various fields to lead the defense of the Korean Peninsula and establish a complete operational readiness posture."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-05 20:00:00

Prime Minister's Office Prepares for Upcoming Confirmation Hearing Amid speculation that President Lee Jae-myung will soon nominate a successor to Prime Minister Kim Min-seok, the Prime Minister's Office has reportedly formed a preparation team for the confirmation hearing. According to Yonhap News on June 5, the team will be led by Kim Young-soo, the first deputy chief of the Government Policy Coordination Office, and is expected to consist of around 30 members. The office will be located at the Financial Supervisory Service training center in Jongno-gu, Seoul. The nominee for Prime Minister must undergo a confirmation hearing in the National Assembly and receive approval from the full assembly before being officially appointed. In Kim's case, the process from nomination to appointment took 29 days. However, the Prime Minister's Office issued a statement denying the reports about the formation of the preparation team, calling them unfounded. Potential candidates to succeed Prime Minister Kim include Kang Hoon-sik, chief of staff to the president; Jeong Seong-ho, Minister of Justice; and Han Seong-sook, Minister of SMEs and Startups.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-05 19:45:00

Nvidia Announces AI Technology Center in South Korea Following Jensen Huang's Visit Nvidia has announced plans to establish an artificial intelligence (AI) technology center in South Korea, coinciding with CEO Jensen Huang's visit to the country. According to Yonhap News on June 5, Nvidia recently posted a job listing for a Physical AI Solutions Architect based in Seoul as part of its efforts to set up the AI technology center. The recruitment focuses on digital twins and robotics. The selected candidates will collaborate with key researchers from universities and joint research institutes on various projects and proof-of-concept tasks related to Physical AI. The role will support domestic university and corporate research teams in building virtual worlds using Nvidia's Omniverse platform based on OpenUSD, generating synthetic data, simulating robots, and fine-tuning and deploying open humanoid foundation models. Candidates are required to hold a Ph.D. in a related field and have over five years of practical experience in digital twins and robotics. Academic research achievements and experience in collaboration among academia, industry, and government are preferred qualifications. The AI technology center will serve as a research and development facility where Nvidia collaborates with local governments, universities, and businesses to develop core technologies and submit papers to international conferences. Similar centers are currently operating in countries like Singapore and the United Kingdom. If established in South Korea, it is expected to become a major global R&D hub. Previously, Nvidia signed a memorandum of understanding with Hyundai Motor Group and the government, promising to supply 50,000 graphics processing units (GPUs) and establish the AI technology center.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-05 19:24:00

Navy Reports Death of Non-Commissioned Officer During Training Near Yeonpyeong Island A non-commissioned officer died after sustaining injuries during training aboard a naval vessel operating near Yeonpyeong Island in the Yellow Sea.According to a report by Yonhap News Agency, the officer was found unconscious with head injuries during combat deployment training at approximately 1:36 p.m. on June 5. The officer reportedly had bleeding from the head.The Navy stated that after providing emergency care on-site, the officer was urgently transported to the National Military Medical Center via a military medical evacuation helicopter, but was pronounced dead at 4:50 p.m. The officer's death occurred during an internal training exercise, and there was no contact with North Korean forces.The Navy expressed deep condolences to the bereaved family and announced that a joint investigation will be conducted with civilian police and military authorities to determine the exact cause of death.Combat deployment training is designed to prepare crew members to move to designated combat positions within the vessel and practice mission procedures in the event of a combat situation.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-05 19:21:00

Sunny Weather Expected on Memorial Day with Significant Temperature Variations On Saturday, June 6, Memorial Day, clear skies are expected across the country, with occasional clouds, particularly in the southern regions where early summer heat will be felt. According to the Korea Meteorological Administration on June 5, the central region will be mostly clear but will gradually become overcast by night. The southern regions and Jeju Island will experience partly cloudy weather. In the morning, areas in the central region (excluding the eastern coast of Gangwon) may experience fog with visibility of less than 1 kilometer. The weather agency cautioned that fog could be dense near rivers, lakes, valleys, and coastal bridges, posing a risk to traffic safety. While there will not be extreme heat over the weekend, early summer conditions will persist, with significant temperature differences of around 15 degrees Celsius between day and night expected in most parts of the country. Morning low temperatures in major cities are forecasted to be 16 degrees in Seoul, 16 degrees in Incheon, 12 degrees in Chuncheon, 16 degrees in Gangneung, 13 degrees in Daejeon, 14 degrees in Gwangju, 15 degrees in Daegu, 18 degrees in Busan, and 17 degrees in Jeju. Afternoon high temperatures are expected to reach 28 degrees in Seoul, 27 degrees in Incheon, 27 degrees in Chuncheon, 26 degrees in Gangneung, 28 degrees in Daejeon, 29 degrees in Gwangju, 29 degrees in Jeonju, 29 degrees in Daegu, 26 degrees in Busan, and 25 degrees in Jeju. At sea, strong winds are anticipated from the night, particularly in the waters south of Jeju and the eastern waters of the South Sea, with the possibility of issuing a storm warning.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-05 19:12:00