From PC cafés to pork belly: Inside Jensen Huang's unconventional Seoul summit SEOUL, June 05 (AJP) - Neon lights, the rapid clatter of keyboards in a bustling Hongdae PC café, and the unmistakable sizzle of meat hitting a hot grill—these are hardly the traditional backdrops for high-stakes tech diplomacy. Yet, on the evening of June 5, NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang traded the polished boardrooms of Silicon Valley for the vibrant, everyday rhythms of Seoul. Immersing himself first in South Korea's grassroots digital culture, Huang eventually made his way to "Hyungnim Jeoyo," a local pork belly restaurant, setting a distinctly grounded and intimate visual tone for the night ahead. By 7 p.m., the casual outing transformed into an unprecedented gathering of industry titans. Sharing the table and bonding over a traditional "samso"—pork belly paired with soju—were SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won, LG Group Chairman Koo Kwang-mo, and Naver founder Lee Hae-jin. This smoky, grill-side meeting echoed a similarly historic summit Huang held just seven months prior with Samsung and Hyundai leadership over fried chicken. The images that follow capture the candid, unbuttoned moments of this extraordinary evening, offering a rare glimpse into the personal, cross-cultural connections that are quietly shaping the future of global technology. 2026-06-05 22:54:20

NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang Hosts Gathering with South Korean Business Leaders On June 5, Jensen Huang, CEO of NVIDIA, visited a PC café in Hongdae before arriving at the pork belly restaurant "Hyungnim Jeoyo" around 7 p.m. for a gathering with South Korean business leaders, referred to as a "samso" (pork belly and soju) meeting.This meeting came seven months after a similar gathering with Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Jae-yong and Hyundai Motor Group Chairman Chung Eui-sun at a chicken restaurant last October. This time, Chey Tae-won of SK Group, Koo Kwang-mo of LG Group, and Lee Hae-jin of Naver gathered around the grill.Koo, Chey, and Lee arrived at the venue around 6:50 p.m., greeting each other and sharing drinks before Huang's arrival at approximately 7:10 p.m. Upon his arrival, the crowd erupted in cheers, with around 1,000 people gathering outside the restaurant to catch a glimpse of him.Despite the gathering of top executives, the hierarchy was clear. The eldest was Chey Tae-won (66), followed by Huang (63), Lee (59), and the youngest, Koo (48), who actively took charge. Koo helped by laying napkins in front of the senior executives and grilling pork belly at the table.When Koo spoke to reporters during the meal, he said, "I grilled a lot of meat. I worked hard on it," adding, "I think I might be a bit tipsy."Huang appeared to fully enjoy Korean dining culture. During the meal, when Lee demonstrated how to wrap kimchi and pork belly in perilla leaves, Huang followed suit, taking a big bite and dipping it in sauce.The atmosphere peaked during the "bomb shot" time. As the restaurant owner prepared a mix of soju and beer, Huang joyfully grabbed a spoon and joined in, calling out, "Go Korea! Go SK! Go LG! Go Naver!" to energize the crowd.During the meal, Huang distributed snacks and HBM chips to the gathered citizens, expressing his affection for HBM chips and stating, "We need more HBM!" Chey, while handing out HBM chips, remarked, "I feel like Santa Claus." Huang also warmly embraced Koo, saying, "He is a good friend."Huang praised Korean culture, stating, "Korean pork barbecue and chicken are the best in the world. Plus, K-pop is exciting, and K-dramas always move me to tears. Korea has always been kind to me and holds a special place in my heart."Following the pork belly gathering, the group headed to a chicken restaurant around 9:30 p.m. As they arrived, a large crowd gathered outside, and at around 10 p.m., Huang personally handed out chicken to the waiting citizens, while Chey distributed HBM chips in response to the crowd's enthusiasm.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-05 22:24:00

NVIDIA Begins Establishing AI Technology Center in South Korea NVIDIA Launches Recruitment for AI Technology Center in South Korea NVIDIA has begun recruitment for its AI technology center in South Korea. According to Yonhap News on June 5, NVIDIA recently posted a job opening for a Physical AI Solution Architect based in Seoul. 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. 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 UK. If established in South Korea, it is expected to become a major global R&D hub. Prime Minister's Office Prepares for Upcoming Confirmation Hearing As speculation grows 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. On June 5, Yonhap News reported that Kim Young-soo, the first deputy chief of the Office for Government Policy Coordination, will lead the team, which is expected to consist of about 30 members. The office will be located at the Financial Supervisory Service training center in Jongno-gu, Seoul. The prime ministerial nominee must undergo a confirmation hearing in the National Assembly and receive approval from the plenary session before being officially appointed. Kim's nomination took 29 days from nomination to appointment. However, the Prime Minister's Office issued a press release stating that reports regarding the formation of the preparation team are 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. UK's SMR Project Sparks 'Buy British' Controversy The UK aerospace and defense company Rolls-Royce has decided to assign key processes of its small modular reactor (SMR) project to a South Korean company, igniting a 'Buy British' debate within the UK. On June 5, Yonhap News cited the Financial Times, reporting that Rolls-Royce SMR signed a design contract in April with Great British Energy Nuclear to construct three SMRs in North Wales. It subsequently selected Doosan Enerbility as a strategic partner for the production of key equipment. This decision has drawn criticism in the UK for contradicting the principle of prioritizing domestic industry in public projects. The UK government aims to source 70% of the supply chain for the project from domestic products. 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 components, the UK may be relegated to producing relatively low-value parts. Political figures have also raised concerns. Liam Byrne, chair of the House of Commons Business and Trade Committee from the ruling Labour Party, plans to send a letter to ministers requesting clarification on whether this decision aligns with the government's policy of protecting domestic industry. Garreth Stace, director general of UK Steel, emphasized, "The revival of the UK nuclear sector should create opportunities for jobs and industrial capabilities within the UK." Protests Expand at Vote Counting Centers, Reaching 2,000 Participants Protesters who had previously blocked the second polling station in Jamsil, Songpa-gu, have now moved to the vote counting center, increasing their numbers. On June 5, Yonhap News reported that while police deployed over 1,000 officers to transport the ballot boxes, the protesters occupied the entrance of the counting center, preventing about 100 election commission staff, facility personnel, and journalists from leaving. The protesters gathered around the Handball Stadium in Olympic Park, starting with 300 in the morning and swelling to 2,000 by the afternoon. Although there are a total of eight entrances to the stadium, including the first and second floors, the protesters have effectively blocked all access points. Even after the counting was completed, access remained restricted, forcing some staff to exit through windows. The protesters allowed movement only after verifying identities and reportedly intensified controls on certain media outlets. The protesters are demanding a re-election, claiming they cannot accept the counting results. They are encouraging further gatherings through related online channels. Earlier, the second polling station in Jamsil had extended its closing time due to a shortage of ballots on the day of the June 3 local elections, leading to a delay of about 35 hours in transporting the ballot boxes to the counting center after the protesters blocked their removal. Police deployed approximately 1,000 riot officers that day to disperse the protesters and secure the ballot boxes. Russia Confirms Putin Received Zelensky's Letter on Peace Talks Russian President Vladimir Putin has received a letter from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky regarding discussions on a peace proposal, according to Russia on June 5. On June 5, Yonhap News reported that Dmitry Peskov, spokesperson for the Kremlin, stated in an interview with the daily Izvestia that "a written report was delivered yesterday (June 4), and the media reports were also conveyed to the president." President Putin has reviewed the contents of the letter, and Peskov mentioned that the relevant topics are likely to be discussed at the SPIEF plenary session that day. However, he refrained from providing a direct response regarding Putin's reaction, stating, "I do not want to get ahead of myself." The day before, President Zelensky publicly urged President Putin to engage in direct talks to end the war in a letter he sent. Former President Donald Trump expressed support for this, stating, "We need to meet and get things done." Peskov expressed hope for the resumption of stalled peace negotiations, noting that communication with the U.S. continues through existing channels. He pointed out inconsistencies in statements from the White House but acknowledged that President Trump genuinely wishes for a resolution to the situation. Additionally, Peskov mentioned in an interview with RIA Novosti that there is a "theoretical 50%" chance that a summit between President Putin and President Trump could take place this summer, stating it could happen or not. Seoul Southern District Prosecutors' Office Clears Allegations of Evidence Tampering The Seoul Southern District Prosecutors' Office has concluded its investigation into the so-called "evidence tampering allegations" with a decision of no charges. On June 5, Yonhap News reported that the Southern District Prosecutors' Office announced in a press release that "there was no evidence to support claims that the individuals responsible for seized items intentionally damaged or disposed of the evidence and systematically concealed it." This conclusion aligns with the findings of 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 charges. The allegations of evidence tampering arose during a search and seizure operation at the home of Jeon Seong-bae, known as the "Gunjin Law Master," in December 2024. During the operation, cash bundles worth approximately 50 million won, including Bank of Korea evidence seals, were secured, but it was later revealed that the inspection information attached to the cash had gone missing during the prosecution phase. The Supreme Prosecutors' Office concluded that while there were operational oversights, there was no evidence of organized concealment from higher-ups. The special investigation team also confirmed deficiencies in the documentation of seized items but found no objective evidence to substantiate the allegations. The special investigation team effectively concluded that there were "no charges" in March and referred the case to the prosecution. After approximately three months of additional review, the Southern District Prosecutors' Office stated, "After a thorough examination of the records referred by the special investigation team, we found the conclusion to be valid and no evidence to support the allegations, leading to this disposition." However, since the allegations originated from the Southern District Prosecutors' Office, there may be controversy over the "self-exoneration" decision. JTBC Journalists Announce Legal Action After Assault by Protesters The JTBC chapter of the Korean Journalist Association has announced plans to take legal action after some protesters, claiming election fraud, assaulted its reporters during the June 3 local elections. On June 5, Yonhap News reported that the JTBC chapter issued a statement saying, "An unprecedented situation occurred where protesters claiming election fraud confined and assaulted JTBC reporters." They called for severe punishment for the perpetrators. The journalists reported that while covering the counting situation at the Handball Stadium in Olympic Park, the protesters surrounded the entire venue and blocked the entrances, forcing them to escape through windows due to safety concerns. They claimed that when a reporter exited through a window, the protesters demanded identification and aggressively obstructed their movement, physically surrounding them. The JTBC chapter stated that they have secured footage of the incident and plan to pursue legal action against the assailants. They are also considering legal measures against the public disclosure of journalists' personal information and the spread of false information via social media. The JTBC chapter emphasized, "Violence against journalists is an infringement on press freedom and the public's right to know," calling it a significant threat to the foundations of democracy.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-05 22:03:00

Korean Minister Kim Jong-kwan: U.S. Commerce Secretary Says Not to Worry About Section 301 Tariffs Korean Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Kim Jong-kwan stated that U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick reassured him not to worry about potential increases in tariffs due to the Section 301 investigation by the Trump administration. This investigation raised concerns that Korea's tariff burden could exceed the agreed 15% between the two countries last year. In an appearance on MBN News Wide on June 5, Kim explained details of his video meeting with Lutnick on June 3. "I was worried, but Secretary Lutnick said not to worry. He indicated that the originally agreed 15% would remain in place," Kim said. He added, "This is part of our ongoing investment projects in the U.S., which were built on mutual trust between the two leaders. We discussed how to ensure these efforts succeed." Earlier, on June 2, the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) announced the results of its Section 301 investigation related to forced labor, warning of new tariffs affecting 60 countries. Among these, 45 countries, including Korea, China, and Japan, could face a 12.5% tariff, while 14 countries and the European Union are expected to see a 10% tariff. However, concerns have been raised that the final tariff rates could exceed 15% as the Trump administration plans to release additional findings related to overproduction. Last year, Korea agreed to invest $350 billion (approximately 540 trillion won) in the U.S. in exchange for reducing mutual tariffs from 25% to 15%. However, the mutual tariff based on the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) was ruled invalid by the U.S. Supreme Court this year. In response, the Trump administration announced a 10% global tariff based on Trade Act Section 122, which is set to expire in July. The administration is planning to impose new tariffs based on Section 301 as a replacement. Regarding Korea's investment in the U.S., Kim mentioned, "We will launch the U.S. Investment Corporation on June 18. We are currently having extensive discussions among our teams to determine if this project is viable and mutually beneficial for both countries." He emphasized, "I believe the trust built over the past year, especially between the two leaders, remains strong. We are continuously discussing strategic mutual benefits and ensuring the commercial viability of these projects." Meanwhile, when asked about this year's export outlook, Kim stated, "I officially expect our exports to exceed $900 billion this year. We are currently ranked around seventh in exports, but we aim to break into the top five." 2026-06-05 22:00:00

JTBC Journalists Report Assault by Protesters Claiming Election Fraud The JTBC branch of the Korean Journalists Association announced plans for legal action after some protesters, rallying against a shortage of ballots during the June 3 local elections, assaulted reporters. According to Yonhap News on June 5, the JTBC branch stated in a press release, "An unprecedented situation occurred where protesters claiming election fraud confined and assaulted JTBC reporters," urging for severe punishment for the perpetrators. The statement continued, "While covering the vote counting at the Olympic Park handball arena, the protesters surrounded the venue and blocked the entrances, forcing reporters to escape through windows due to safety concerns." It was also reported that the protesters threatened a reporter attempting to exit through a window, demanding identification and physically restricting their movement. The JTBC branch confirmed it has secured footage of the incident and intends to pursue legal measures against those involved. Additionally, the branch is considering legal action against the public disclosure of reporters' personal information and the spread of false information via social media. The JTBC branch emphasized, "Violence against journalists is an infringement on press freedom and the public's right to know," calling it a serious threat to the foundations of democracy.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-05 21:57:00

U.S. Nonfarm Jobs Surge by 172,000 in May, Heightening Rate Hike Expectations The U.S. nonfarm payrolls saw a surprising increase of 172,000 jobs in May, nearly double the expected growth, indicating resilience in the economy despite ongoing conflicts in the Middle East. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, nonfarm employment rose by 172,000 in May, significantly surpassing the forecast of 85,000. Additionally, the April nonfarm employment figure was revised upward from an initial increase of 115,000 to 179,000, while March's figure was adjusted from 185,000 to 214,000. The unemployment rate in May remained steady at 4.3%, consistent with both the forecast and the previous month. Despite rising prices linked to the Middle East conflict, the U.S. economy continues to show strength, reducing the likelihood of an economic slowdown and increasing the chances of an interest rate hike. Following the release of the employment data, the yield on 30-year U.S. Treasury bonds surpassed 5%. The CME FedWatch Tool, which tracks market expectations for Federal Reserve interest rate changes, indicated that the probability of a 0.25 percentage point rate increase by the end of the year rose from 38.2% to 41.2%, while the likelihood of a 0.50 percentage point increase increased from 10.9% to 14.4%. Bloomberg reported that the strong employment figures have heightened expectations that the Federal Reserve will raise interest rates by the end of the year. 2026-06-05 21:45:00

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 dinner 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..."Korean Semiconductor Demand Will Increase Next Year"While dining, Huang shared donuts and crackers named after HBM chips with reporters, expressing his affection 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 vast amount of high-bandwidth memory (HBM) and that the new CPU, Vera, will be equipped with a significant amount of low-power, high-performance LPDDR5 DRAM.Huang also mentioned that the 'RTX Spark,' a major innovation in PC technology in 40 years, will require large-scale LPDDR5 memory to deliver powerful AI performance.He indicated that NVIDIA plans to strengthen partnerships in next-generation robotics and autonomous driving, stating, "We are planning significant partnerships with Hyundai and robotics, and we are solidifying partnerships with Korean companies such as LG, SK Hynix, Samsung, and Naver."Huang forecasted that while this year featured a single product lineup, next year will see the simultaneous launch of four new products, making collaboration with Korean companies busier than ever."A Special Affection for Korea After 25 Years...Starting with NVIDIA GeForce"Huang shared his deep affection for Korean culture and NVIDIA's long-standing connection 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," noting that his first stop in Korea was a visit to an internet cafe where he met professional gamer 'Faker' (Lee Sang-hyeok) and players from T1.He expressed his fondness for Korean pork belly, snacks named after HBM chips, and chicken, adding that he enjoys K-pop and K-dramas that often bring him to tears.Huang also announced plans to establish an AI research center in Korea, stating, "We plan to set up an AI research center in Korea and hire specialized personnel, likely in Seoul."* This article has been translated by AI. 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