Controversy Erupts Over Teacher's Voting Rights Amid Parent-Teacher Exchange A conversation between a parent and a teacher regarding early voting has sparked a debate over parental overreach in schools. On May 29, various social media platforms and online communities shared a dialogue believed to be between a parent and a teacher from a kindergarten or daycare. In the exchange, the parent asked, "Teacher, will there be a closure on June 3?" The teacher replied, "Yes! We also need to vote!" However, the parent responded, "Oh... I will be voting early..." raising questions about the intent behind the inquiry. The original poster expressed disbelief, stating, "What do you mean, ma'am...?" The post quickly gained traction online, with some users suggesting that the parent was pressuring the teacher by implying that since they could vote early, there was no need for a day off on election day. Many interpreted the parent’s comments as an infringement on the teacher's rights to participate in the election, labeling it as a classic case of parental overreach. Comments from netizens included, "Teachers are citizens too; shouldn't they be allowed to vote?" and "Just because one person votes early doesn't mean everyone should have to do so." Others expressed discomfort with the notion that parents feel entitled to dictate teachers' time off, stating, "It feels uncomfortable that parents interfere with teachers' breaks," and noted that this incident reflects the declining authority of educators. Conversely, some argued that the parent was merely inquiring about the closure and that the interpretation of the exchange as overreach might be exaggerated. This incident coincides with growing concerns about parental complaints and excessive demands infringing on teachers' rights in educational settings. Critics have pointed out that the culture of parents attempting to dictate teachers' schedules and personal time is problematic and warrants further discussion.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-29 14:54:00

Jang Dong-hyuk: A Loss by One Vote is Still a Defeat, Urges Voter Participation Jang Dong-hyuk, chairman of the People Power Party, called for voter participation on May 29, the first day of early voting for the June 3 local elections, stating, "A loss by one vote is still a defeat." Speaking at a campaign rally at Jochiwon Station in Sejong, Jang emphasized, "If we do not take action or go to the polls, nothing will happen." He expressed concern about the party's momentum, saying, "Every time I hear that the atmosphere for the People Power Party is improving and the election mood is changing, I feel heavier. Losing by one vote or even 1% is more painful and frightening, as it could lead to greater disappointment for us." Jang criticized the political climate, stating, "Everything is being used politically, and the president is directly intervening in the election by posting on social media even at this moment. If we fail to overcome this barrier, there will be no future for South Korea. In the remaining five days, I urge you to give everything you have to save our country." He also addressed the recent collapse of the Seosomun overpass, saying, "It is right to thoroughly investigate the cause of this tragic incident where citizens lost their lives and to punish those responsible if there are issues. However, as early voting began today, the police raided Seoul City Hall." Jang questioned whether this was a coincidence or a pre-planned action, urging voters to judge the situation politically at the polls if they believe there is a political motive behind it. He further criticized Lee Jae-myung, stating, "On the night the Seosomun overpass collapsed, Lee was at the Jagalchi Market in Busan hosting a sashimi party. This is the same president who was seen on a cooking show during a fire at the National Intelligence Resource Management Agency. Lee has a habit of hosting food shows during disasters."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-29 14:52:00

Prosecutors Raid Semiconductor Material Suppliers Over Price-Fixing Allegations Prosecutors have launched an investigation into allegations of price-fixing involving key semiconductor material suppliers for Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix. According to legal sources on May 29, the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office's Criminal Proceeds Recovery Department, led by Chief Prosecutor So Jung-soo, began raiding MK Electronics, LT Metal, and Duksan Hi-Metal on May 28 for suspected violations of fair trade laws. The prosecutors suspect that these companies coordinated prices and supply volumes for bonding wires and core solder balls used in semiconductor manufacturing. The raids reportedly included searches of corporate offices and the residences of executives. These suppliers provide essential materials to major domestic semiconductor manufacturers, including Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix. Prosecutors are examining whether there was collusion in the process of raising or adjusting product prices. Bonding wires and core solder balls are critical materials used in semiconductor packaging processes. Once the analysis of the seized materials is complete, prosecutors plan to summon relevant individuals to investigate the extent and nature of the alleged collusion.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-29 14:50:00

Seongnam New Housing Project Construction Accelerated by One Year Koo Yun-cheol, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance and Economy, announced on May 29 that the construction schedule for the new housing project in Seongnam, which includes 6,300 units, will be accelerated by integrating planning procedures, moving the start date from 2030 to 2029. He also stated that plans for the 2,800-unit sites in Dongdaemun and Eunpyeong districts will be expedited with early establishment of relocation plans this year. During a meeting of real estate ministers and housing supply promotion ministers at the Government Seoul Building, Koo noted that while the rate of increase in apartment prices in Seoul has slowed, the government will continue to monitor the market closely until a clear stabilization is observed, maintaining a strict policy response. He emphasized that the top priority of government policy is to expand housing supply and accelerate construction, stating, "We are thoroughly managing the entire process to ensure that the supply plan announced on January 29 leads swiftly to actual construction." Koo pledged to eliminate obstacles in housing projects to facilitate rapid construction, expressing concern that approximately 100,000 housing units in the metropolitan area are facing delays of over a year due to issues with project financing, material supply, and rising construction costs. To address these delays, he mentioned that the government will closely inspect the causes of construction delays and provide comprehensive support to resolve issues. He announced the launch of a "Government-wide Housing Supply Field Support Center" today, which will involve the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and other relevant agencies and local governments. Regarding public sector housing supply, Koo stated that the management of public housing project procedures will be strengthened. He pointed out that uncertainties in compensation and site development have led to delays in housing permits, resulting in increased project timelines and costs. The government will shift its housing supply targets to be based on construction starts and will also manage construction costs based on the start date. Koo assured that the causes of delays in projects such as Namyangju Wangsil, Goyang Changneung, and Seongnam Bokjeong Second District will be thoroughly examined to prevent disruptions. Emphasizing the need to combat illegal real estate activities, he stated that the Ministry of Land is intensively investigating suspected speculative transactions near new housing supply sites included in the January 29 supply plan. Additionally, a comprehensive investigation and verification of suspicious cases of fraudulent applications involving 25,000 units across 43 complexes in regulated areas of the metropolitan area is underway. Koo concluded by stating that spreading false information related to development data and real estate prices is a serious illegal act, and the government will enhance the effectiveness of responses to misinformation through revised real estate transaction reporting laws.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-29 14:50:00

Kookmin University selected to lead state-funded artificial intelligence material research hub SEOUL, May 29 (AJP) - A research team from South Korea's Kookmin University has been selected to lead a state-funded research hub focused on developing artificial intelligence-based materials for next-generation displays, the prominent University said Thursday. The initiative is part of the 2026 Nano and Material Development Project Material HUB, organized by the Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT) and supported by the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF). Under the direction of principal investigator Professor Kim Young-hoon, the university will collaborate with the Korea Institute of Industrial Technology (KITECH), Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology (DGIST), Chungbuk National University (CBNU), Sungkyunkwan University (SKKU) and the Korea Photonics Technology Institute (KOPTI). The project focuses on building a metal-halide color conversion material data hub and developing intelligent design technologies for materials and manufacturing processes. The research team will use an artificial intelligence closed-loop system and a high-throughput screening platform to reverse-engineer ultra-thin perovskite materials for augmented and virtual reality metaverse displays. By establishing a data-driven integration system, the researchers aim to optimize the synthesis of luminescent materials for high brightness and color purity while shortening the development time for new materials. The government-led Material HUB initiative uses data and artificial intelligence across the entire material research cycle, from exploratory design to performance implementation, to secure essential new materials early. The Kookmin University team, which includes professors Do Young-rag, Jung Jun-young, Jeon Ho-je and Cho Ki-sub, previously developed reverse-engineering technologies for high-efficiency perovskite materials and is currently expanding its focus to eco-friendly, lead-free alternatives. The team recently published related findings on chemical reaction predictions and next-generation displays in academic journals, including Nature, Advanced Materials and Nature Communications. 2026-05-29 14:48:31

NPS delivers 4.4% return Q1 to outperform others on 22% return from Korean equities SEOUL, May 29 (AJP) — South Korea's National Pension Service (NPS) posted a solid 4.42 percent return in the first quarter thanks to stellar performance of local shares despite the outbreak of the U.S.-Iran war. NPS, one of the world's largest institutional investors with assets under management swelling to 1,526 trillion won ($1.14 trillion), said Friday its assets increased by 68 trillion won from the end of last year, with domestic stocks returning 21.67 percent and accounting for the bulk of investment gains. The performance report came less than 24 hours after the National Pension Fund Management Committee, chaired by Health and Welfare Minister Jeong Eun-kyeong, approved a new five-year asset allocation plan raising the target weighting of domestic equities to 20.8 percent from 14.9 percent. At Thursday's meeting, the Fund Management Committee also approved a temporary expansion on domestic-equity strategic asset allocation (SAA) tolerance band. The fund's local exposure is said to have neared 30 percent despite the cap based on the tolerance band. Although the upper and lower limits are not publicly disclosed, the hike of the official ceiling would ease the rebalancing pressure while the stock market remains on bullish run. At recent market highs, analysts estimated that as much as 177 trillion won worth of domestic equities could have faced rebalancing pressure under the previous allocation framework. "Recent domestic stock markets have continued their upward momentum, with the KOSPI closing above 8,000 for the first time," Jeong said at Thursday's meeting. "We will seek to enhance the fund's long-term profitability and stability while also taking into account its impact on financial markets." According to the NPS, domestic equities generated the strongest returns among major asset classes in the January-March period, rising 21.67 percent. Overseas stocks slipped 0.11 percent, while domestic bonds lost 2.03 percent. Overseas bonds gained 4.98 percent and alternative investments returned 5.27 percent. The fund said the outbreak of the U.S.-Iran conflict on Feb. 28 weakened investor sentiment and interrupted a powerful rally in semiconductor-related shares. Nevertheless, domestic equities maintained double-digit gains and remained the primary driver of overall portfolio performance. Overseas stocks were weighed down by growing uncertainty surrounding global markets, while rising oil prices and inflation concerns pushed bond yields higher, hurting domestic fixed-income holdings. Overseas bonds benefited from gains in the won-dollar exchange rate. NPS Chairman Kim Sung-joo said first-quarter returns had retreated from 10.26 percent recorded at the end of February as the Middle East conflict rattled financial markets, but have since recovered. "The fund has regained momentum and continues to deliver solid results," Kim said. "As a long-term investor responsible for the retirement security of the Korean people, we will maintain disciplined investment principles and rigorous risk management regardless of market conditions." The stronger-than-expected performance provides fresh context for Thursday's politically sensitive decision to increase the pension fund's domestic stock allocation. Under the 2027~2031 medium-term asset allocation plan approved by the committee, domestic equities will account for 20.8 percent of the portfolio, while overseas equities will represent 34.7 percent. Domestic bonds will make up 23.1 percent, overseas bonds 7.4 percent and alternative investments 14.0 percent. As of March, local stocks accounted for just over 21 percent of assets and generated more than one-fifth in returns during the quarter. 2026-05-29 14:45:00

Nota Shares Surge Over 19% Following Qualcomm AI Device Optimization Success Shares of Nota have surged over 19% during trading following news of successful optimization with Qualcomm's latest edge artificial intelligence (AI) device. As of 2:23 PM on May 29, Nota's stock was trading at 41,350 won, up 6,750 won (19.51%) from the previous trading day. At one point, shares reached as high as 43,900 won, marking an increase of over 26%. The surge in investor sentiment is attributed to Nota's announcement that it successfully optimized the operation of the vision-language model (VLA) 'SmolVLA 0.45B' on Qualcomm's latest edge AI device, the 'Dragonwing IQ-9075.' Nota explained that it applied optimizations focusing on the final stage of generating actual robot movements, which involves processing image recognition, language understanding, and behavior generation. To achieve this, the company implemented real-time inference optimization to reduce repetitive computations and graph optimization based on neural processing units (NPU). As a result of these optimizations, the processing time for the action head, which is responsible for generating robot movements, decreased by approximately 85.8%, from 218 milliseconds (ms) to 31 ms. The overall inference time was also reduced from 505 ms to 310 ms, while the success rate for tasks remained stable at around 85%, down from 86%. Nota specializes in AI lightweight solutions based on hardware-aware optimization technology. Its main businesses include the 'Nespresso Platform,' which automates the development process of on-device AI models, and the 'Nespresso Solution,' an edge AI-based video analysis solution. Last year, the company reported annual revenue of 13.1 billion won and an operating loss of 15.3 billion won. Kiwoom Securities researcher Kim Hak-jun projected that Nota's revenue for this year will reach 26 billion won, a 98.5% increase from the previous year, and noted that its vision AI business is expected to expand beyond shipyards to the Middle East. He added that the break-even point (BEP) for revenue is approximately 30 billion won.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-29 14:44:00

Hyundai robot Atlas masters rabona kick SEOUL, May 29 (AJP) - Hyundai Motor Group has unveiled a marketing campaign showcasing the football skills of Atlas, the humanoid robot developed by its U.S. robotics unit Boston Dynamics, in a fresh demonstration of the company's push into physical artificial intelligence. As a partner of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, to be co-hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada, the automaker released a five-part "School of Football" series on its official YouTube channel, the company said Thursday. The films show Atlas dribbling, passing and shooting with apparent ease. In the clips, the robot pulls off a rabona — a flourish in which the kicking leg is wrapped behind the standing leg — and even lands a "ghost rabona," adding a feint to deceive a defender. To master the moves, Atlas modeled motion data from professional players and refined its technique through reinforcement learning. Hyundai said the campaign demonstrated its capabilities in AI-driven reinforcement learning, precise mimicry of human movement and hardware control. The launch film, three training videos, and its final reveal video released through Friday on the group’s YouTube channel drew a combined around 48,600 views in their first five days. "Through football, we have shown the world the future of robotics," said Jee Sung-won, head of Hyundai's brand marketing division, adding that the company plans to build varied brand experiences around mobility and robotics. The campaign comes as Hyundai Motor Group prepares to put Atlas to industrial work. The group has said it intends to deploy more than 25,000 of the robots across Hyundai and Kia plants, beginning with parts-sequencing tasks at its Metaplant America facility in Savannah, Georgia, from 2028, as part of a broader bet on humanoid automation. 2026-05-29 14:38:03

Samsung Epise Holdings Establishes R&D Center in China to Enhance Drug Development Samsung Epise Holdings announced on May 29 that it will establish a research and development (R&D) center in China to strengthen its drug development capabilities. The company has recently founded a wholly-owned subsidiary, Samsung Biologics China Co., Ltd., in the Changping District of Beijing, aimed at biopharmaceutical research and development. Samsung Epise Holdings, which launched as a bio-investment holding company in November 2022, has been pursuing various business strategies to enhance its future ventures. The establishment of this global R&D hub is part of its efforts to secure next-generation technology platforms, such as antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), and to bolster its drug development capabilities. Changping District is recognized for its rich research and development infrastructure and human resources, being home to the Zhongguancun Life Science Park and in proximity to major universities like Peking University and Tsinghua University. The center is set to officially open in June and will operate with locally hired staff. Meanwhile, Samsung Bioepis plans to continue its drug development efforts through open innovation. In March, it initiated the global Phase 1 clinical trial for its first ADC candidate, SBE303. The second candidate, SBE313, which is being developed in collaboration with Frontline in China, is currently in the preclinical stage. Kim Kyung-ah, CEO of Samsung Epise Holdings, stated, "The establishment of the China R&D center is part of our strategy to enhance global research and development capabilities. We will leverage local talent and technological infrastructure to improve our next-generation biopharmaceutical development capabilities."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-29 14:38:00

Chung Mong-kyu to Step Down as KFA President After 2026 World Cup Chung Mong-kyu, President of the Korea Football Association (KFA), announced he will resign following the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North and Central America. He has held the position since 2013, marking a 13-year tenure. According to a statement released on May 29, Chung expressed his intention to step down after the World Cup, stating, "I believe supporting the national team to achieve results in the finals is my final duty as president, and I will do my best to fulfill that." In his statement, Chung acknowledged the controversies and criticisms he faced during his time leading the KFA, saying, "I am well aware that there have been various controversies and criticisms while I have been in charge of the association. I believe all of this is due to my shortcomings." He added, "I sincerely hope that after this World Cup, everyone who loves football can come together to move forward toward the future with strength and wisdom." Chung also mentioned the upcoming World Cup, stating, "The national team, led by coach Hong Myung-bo, has been diligently preparing for the World Cup finals. I believe the team will perform well and achieve meaningful results in this tournament." In closing, Chung expressed gratitude to football supporters, sponsors, journalists, government officials, and fans for their encouragement and support during his tenure. He also thanked KFA staff and officials from regional associations for their collaborative efforts in advancing football. According to Yonhap News, the KFA explained that Chung's decision to resign was made to encourage overwhelming support and backing for the national team from football fans. The association noted that it is at a critical juncture where a responsible attitude is needed to establish and implement a long-term vision for the development of Korean football. Chung, who was re-elected for a fourth term with an 85.6% approval rating last February, plans to submit his resignation on July 19, following the conclusion of the World Cup. 2026-05-29 14:34:00