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

Xi Jinping to Visit North Korea for First Time in Seven Years North Korea is expected to provide the highest level of protocol for Chinese President Xi Jinping, who is visiting the country for the first time in seven years, showcasing the enduring North Korea-China alliance to the international community. The International Liaison Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China announced on June 5 that Xi, who is also the General Secretary of the Communist Party, will visit North Korea as a state guest from June 8 to 9 at the invitation of Kim Jong Un, General Secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea and Chairman of the State Affairs Commission. While the detailed schedule has not been disclosed, the visit comes ahead of the 65th anniversary of the signing of the North Korea-China Mutual Cooperation and Assistance Treaty on July 11, suggesting that North Korea will emphasize the significance of the relationship during Xi's visit. Historically, Kim has welcomed visiting leaders at the airport, and it is highly likely he will greet Xi at Pyongyang's Sunan International Airport on June 8. In June 2019, Kim and his wife, Ri Sol Ju, welcomed Xi at the airport, and in June 2024, he personally greeted Russian President Vladimir Putin, who arrived late at night. Official welcome ceremonies are expected to include a gun salute, the playing of national anthems, and a review by the People's Army honor guard. Following the airport reception, Kim and Xi are anticipated to ride in an open-top vehicle through Pyongyang, receiving a warm welcome from large crowds. Kim Il Sung Square is likely to be the site of the official welcome ceremony. During Putin's visit in June 2024, the airport reception was simplified due to an early morning arrival, but a large-scale welcome ceremony was held at Kim Il Sung Square later that day. Recent reports from international media, including Bloomberg, indicate that North Korea is preparing for Xi's welcome event at this location. There is also a possibility that a welcome event could take place at the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun, where the bodies of Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il are preserved. Xi was the first foreign leader to receive a welcome there during his 2019 visit, emphasizing the traditional friendship between North Korea and China. Given the short duration of the visit, a summit between the two leaders is likely to occur on the day of Xi's arrival in Pyongyang. They are expected to discuss ways to enhance North Korea-China relations and the situation on the Korean Peninsula. Following the summit, a welcome dinner and a commemorative performance are anticipated. Key members of North Korea's leadership, including Kim Yo Jong, the head of the Workers' Party Organization and Guidance Department, are expected to attend the dinner. During Xi's first visit in 2019, he attended a mass gymnastics and artistic performance at the May Day Stadium in Pyongyang with Kim and his wife. North Korea staged a special performance themed on North Korea-China friendship to coincide with Xi's visit. Xi's itinerary may also include a visit to the Friendship Tower in Pyongyang. Built in 1959, the tower commemorates the Chinese People's Volunteer Army's participation in the Korean War and is a customary stop for high-ranking Chinese officials visiting North Korea. Xi visited the tower during his 2019 trip to mark the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries. Xi is likely to stay at the Kumsusan State Guest House, where he lodged during his first visit. The Kumsusan State Guest House is North Korea's premier state guest accommodation. Recently, NK News reported that North Korea has significantly expanded its capacity to host foreign guests by constructing large-scale lodging facilities within the Kumsusan complex. 2026-06-05 19:06:00

Election Commission Sends Additional Ballots to 67 Polling Places Amid Shortage As the ballot shortage crisis continues to spark controversy during the June 3 local elections, the National Election Commission (NEC) announced that it had sent additional ballots to 67 polling places nationwide due to shortages. On June 5, Yoon Jae-soo, head of the Election Policy Division at the NEC, stated during a briefing at the Gwacheon headquarters, "We sent additional ballots to 67 out of 14,288 polling places across the country." The highest number of shortages occurred in Seoul, with 35 polling places affected, followed by Busan and Gyeongnam with eight, Daegu with seven, Incheon with six, and Ulsan with three. Notably, in Songpa-gu, 15 out of 146 polling places received emergency ballot supplies. While 17 polling places did not use the additional ballots, the remaining 50 polling places confirmed that they were utilized for voting. The NEC attributed the ballot shortage to an underestimation of the number of voters compared to the previous local elections, leading to a 50% reduction in ballot printing. The commission explained that due to an increase in early voting, there was a tendency for excess ballots to remain, prompting them to reduce the print quantity while considering the processes for retrieval, storage, and disposal. In fact, the NEC revised its guidelines before the elections, setting a minimum printing quantity of 60% for presidential and National Assembly elections and 50% for local elections, allowing adjustments based on local conditions. In response to questions from reporters regarding the significant ballot shortages in Songpa-gu, Yoon stated, "While there was no overall shortage of ballots in Songpa-gu, we believe that some polling places experienced shortages due to discrepancies in distribution." He added, "I apologize for our failure to establish specific procedures for transferring ballots in case of shortages, and we will comprehensively review the criteria and procedures for determining print quantities to prevent recurrence of this issue." The NEC plans to form an investigation committee to further examine the circumstances surrounding the incident. To ensure impartiality, the committee will consist solely of external experts to identify the causes of the situation and develop measures to prevent its recurrence. Meanwhile, on the same day, Noh Tae-ak, the chairman of the NEC, and Heo Cheol-hoon, the secretary-general, resigned in light of the ballot shortage crisis. Noh expressed his deep remorse during a public apology, stating, "I take full responsibility for the situation."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-05 18:45:00

What lies ahead for DP after falling short where it mattered most despite overall win? SEOUL, June 5 (AJP) - South Korean voters handed President Lee Jae Myung's ruling Democratic Party (DP) a broad victory in this week's local elections while simultaneously delivering a warning against one-party dominance, as the conservatives retained the key Seoul mayoralty and narrowed losses in parliamentary by-elections. The DP won 12 of 16 metropolitan mayoral and gubernatorial races in the June 3 local elections, a sharp reversal from its crushing defeat in the 2022 vote, when it lost 12 governorships and mayoralties to the conservative People Power Party (PPP). But the ruling party failed to capture Seoul, the country's biggest political battleground, where conservative incumbent Oh Se-hoon won reelection over DP candidate Chong Won-o after a tight race. The result dimmed what initially appeared to be a sweeping victory for the liberals and suggested voters were seeking checks and balances rather than giving the government a free hand. The DP also faced unexpectedly close contests in several regions, including Gangwon, South Chungcheong and Ulsan, where the ruling camp had been widely expected to cruise to easy victories. Results from 14 parliamentary by-elections held alongside the local elections carried a stronger political warning for the ruling bloc. Before the vote, 13 of the 14 seats had been held by DP lawmakers. But the party won only nine seats, reducing its parliamentary strength by four seats, while the PPP captured four constituencies and an independent candidate won one. The elections were widely viewed as the first nationwide referendum on Lee’s administration since he took office a year ago following the ouster of former President Yoon Suk Yeol. Lee entered the elections with approval ratings above 60 percent, and many in the ruling camp had expected a decisive victory. Instead, the outcome indicated that voters broadly supported Lee's governing agenda while also signaling discomfort with what critics described as the DP's increasingly unilateral style of governance, backed by its legislative majority. Political observers said the results reflected growing concerns over hard-line legislative pushes led by pro-Lee lawmakers and perceptions that the ruling bloc had become complacent after consolidating control of both the executive and legislative branches. The DP's nomination process also became a source of controversy during the campaign. Critics accused party leader Jung Chung-rae and the party leadership of forcing through contentious nominations in races including the North Jeolla governorship and a parliamentary by-election in Pyeongtaek. The internal disputes diverted senior party officials from nationwide campaigning and may have contributed to Democratic losses in Seoul and several closely fought races in the country's southeastern conservative strongholds, analysts said. AJP asked lawmakers how they analyzed the reasons behind the DP’s defeats in the Seoul mayoral race and key parliamentary by-elections. PPP lawmakers pointed to the Lee Jae Myung government as the cause. Rep. Kang Seung-gyu said, "Elections are a judgment." "The biggest reason" the Democratic Party lost in key battlegrounds is that "citizens judged the Lee Jae Myung government," he added. "The public evaluated and judged the Lee government for pushing ahead with unreasonable laws with arrogance and self-righteousness and for pursuing the prosecution cancellation special counsel." Rep. Kim Gunn made similar remarks. "Seoul citizens felt it was wrong for the government and ruling party to push ahead with the prosecution cancellation special counsel and to exercise excessive public power in matters that should be morally condemned, such as the Starbucks incident," Kim said. "It was also effective that Oh clearly showed an effort to break with our party's past mistakes," he added. The "prosecution cancellation special counsel" mentioned by the two lawmakers refers to the special counsel bill on fabricated indictments proposed by the DP last month. The bill calls for a special counsel investigation into whether charges brought against President Lee before he was elected president and while he was standing trial were fabricated. The bill includes a provision allowing the special counsel to make a "decision on whether to maintain the prosecution" (Article 8, Clause 7) after receiving the cases from prosecutors. This means the special counsel could cancel the prosecution in Lee's cases. DP Rep. Kim Sung-hoi also said that Mayor Oh Se-hoon's acknowledgment that the Dec. 3 martial law declaration constituted insurrection and his apology over it were reasons he won the Seoul mayoral election. "Moderate conservative voters were highly dissatisfied with the Jang Dong-hyuk leadership system, but they went to the polls hoping that 'normal conservatives' would win," he said. "'Normal conservatives' refers to conservatives such as Mayor Oh Se-hoon and Rep. Han Dong-hoon who oppose insurrection," he explained. Three-term DP Rep. Eo Gi-gu said, "From the public's perspective, our Democratic Party appeared arrogant and conceited." "You win elections only when you are humble, desperate and earnest," he said. "I think only looking toward the president and complacently assuming we would win were also reasons for our defeats in places such as Seoul," he added. Rep. Kim Young-bae said, "In Seoul, we failed to manage the issues properly," adding that "we failed to ease public anxiety over the real estate market." He pointed to the lack of strategy from the party leadership as a cause of the defeats in Pyeongtaek and Busan's Buk district. "As seen in the Ulsan mayoral race, the central party also wavered over the issue of forming a unified candidacy with other progressive parties," he said. "Overall, the DP acted arrogantly, as if it had already won every election," he added. 2026-06-05 18:25:37

Blue House Responds to Resignations of Election Commission Leaders Blue House officials expressed that they take the resignations of National Election Commission Chairman Noh Tae-ak and Secretary General Heo Cheol-hoon on June 5 seriously. A Blue House spokesperson stated, "The Election Commission must provide sufficient explanations that the public can accept regarding the significant concerns raised during the election process, along with strict follow-up measures." The spokesperson further emphasized the need for responsible actions to review overall election management and implement reforms to restore public trust. Additionally, the Blue House congratulated National Assembly Speaker Cho Kuk on his appointment and reiterated its commitment to collaboration with the National Assembly. Blue House Spokesperson Kang Yu-jeong conveyed congratulatory messages to Speaker Cho and Vice Speakers Nam In-soon and Park Deok-heum in a written briefing. Kang stated, "The Blue House will closely communicate and cooperate with the National Assembly to address the pressing tasks of restoring livelihoods, promoting economic growth, and fostering national unity. The Yoon Suk-yeol administration is committed to fulfilling its responsibilities alongside the National Assembly to achieve tangible results that the public can feel." Earlier, Speaker Cho was elected as the Speaker of the 22nd National Assembly, receiving 267 votes in favor out of 276 members present. His term will last until May 2028.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-05 18:21:00