KB Securities Maintains Target Price for SK Telecom Amid AI Ecosystem Development KB Securities has stated that SK Telecom is establishing itself as a leading player in the K-AI project and is building an artificial intelligence (AI) model ecosystem, maintaining its target price at 130,000 won and a 'buy' rating. In a report released on June 1, analyst Kim Jun-seop noted that interest in the AI data center operated by SK Broadband, a subsidiary of SK Telecom, is increasing. Kim stated, "The AI data centers in Ulsan and Guro are expected to begin operations in the second half of 2027," and projected that once both data centers are fully operational by 2031, they will contribute over 1.1 trillion won to consolidated operating profit. He further explained, "Bundling AI services with pricing plans will contribute to revenue in two ways, as AI features will help reduce subscriber churn and attract new customers." Additionally, he mentioned that AI value-added services, such as the monetization of AIDOT Note, along with upgrades to higher pricing plans, will increase average revenue per user (ARPU). He noted, "Telecommunications is a capital-intensive industry, so a significant portion of the increase in subscribers or ARPU will directly translate into operating profit." Kim emphasized that operating models developed during the K-AI project will create structural advantages when run in their own AI data centers. He added that applying these models to internal operations, such as AI contact centers and automation of internal tasks, would also lead to savings in labor and operational costs. He concluded, "In the B2B AI transformation (AIX) business, AX could become a direct source of revenue. If SK Telecom is selected among the top two in the K-AI project, it will gain priority participation in public AX projects, further expanding its revenue base."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-01 08:57:00

Daehan Electric Wins $50 Million Contract for Haenam Solar Power Grid Daehan Electric has secured a project to build an ultra-high voltage power grid linked to a solar power plant in Haenam, South Jeolla Province. As the demand for grid connection projects linking power plants and substations grows alongside the expansion of renewable energy, the company is strengthening its position in the domestic power grid market. According to industry sources, Daehan Electric has won a contract worth approximately 50 billion won to construct a 154kV ultra-high voltage power grid that will transmit electricity generated at the Haenam solar power plant to the Haenam substation. For this project, Daehan Electric will employ a full turnkey approach, managing the entire process from design to cable production, installation, connection, and testing. This method requires comprehensive capabilities in manufacturing, on-site construction, quality control, and testing technology. Recently, Daehan Electric has been actively winning contracts in the domestic renewable energy grid market. In April, the company secured a project to connect electricity generated from the solar power plants in Bigeum, Sinan, and Dogo floating solar power plants to the Anjwa substation via a 154kV ultra-high voltage submarine cable. The power industry is increasingly recognizing that as solar and wind power generation rises, delays in grid connections and insufficient transmission networks are becoming bottlenecks for projects, leading to a growing demand for ultra-high voltage cables and submarine cables. The government's push to expand renewable energy centered on solar and wind power, along with the enhancement of power infrastructure, is also seen as an opportunity for power grid companies. Even as renewable energy plants increase, a lack of grid capacity can hinder actual power supply. Daehan Electric is not only expanding its contracts in South Korea but also pursuing opportunities in international power grid markets, including the United States, Europe, and the Middle East. In the first quarter of this year, the company reported consolidated sales of 1.0834 trillion won and an operating profit of 60.4 billion won, marking increases of 26.6% and 122.9%, respectively, compared to the same period last year. A Daehan Electric official stated, "We are participating in the stable supply of power grids amid the growing trend of renewable energy generation in South Korea. We will strengthen our competitiveness in the domestic and international power grid markets based on our accumulated project experience and engineering capabilities."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-01 08:54:00

AhnLab Blockchain Company Launches Digital Asset Custody Service 'ABC Cloud Wallet' AhnLab's blockchain subsidiary, AhnLab Blockchain Company (ABC), announced the official launch of its digital asset custody service, 'ABC Cloud Wallet,' on June 1. The ABC Cloud Wallet is a digital asset custody service that can be applied for online by individual, corporate, institutional, and foundation clients. In addition to basic storage capabilities, it is designed to allow companies and institutions to systematically manage digital asset operation rights and policies according to their internal standards. Key features of the ABC Cloud Wallet include: optimized digital asset operation and rights management for corporate and institutional environments; a multi-security system based on Multi-Party Computation (MPC), cold wallets, and continuous monitoring; transaction monitoring and Web3 security intelligence supported by on-chain anti-money laundering (AML) measures and the in-house developed blockchain intelligence service 'BigScan'; and scalability for financial integration and stablecoin utilization based on WaaS. ABC plans to provide a secure digital asset custody environment, enabling companies and institutions to utilize safe storage and operational systems without the burden of managing their own infrastructure. The company also expects to flexibly support stablecoin-based payment and settlement environments. The introduction of this cloud-based custody service comes as the range of digital asset utilization for companies and institutions expands. As digital asset management evolves beyond mere storage to include payments, settlements, foundation asset management, and Web3 service operations, the need for corporate custody infrastructure that provides internal approval systems, rights management, transaction monitoring, and security oversight is growing. Kang Seok-kyun, CEO of ABC, stated, "The ABC Cloud Wallet is a service that encapsulates ABC's security and operational experience accumulated over three and a half years of providing wallet services to 2.4 million individual customers and over 100 corporate clients. As the digital asset market rapidly expands into payment, settlement, and digital financial infrastructure, ABC will leverage its security capabilities and in-house wallet development technology to provide a safer Web3 financial infrastructure."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-01 08:54:00

President Lee's Approval Rating at 59.1%, Slight Decline for Two Consecutive Weeks President Lee Jae-myung's approval rating has shown a slight decline for the second consecutive week, according to a recent public opinion poll.On June 1, Realmeter released a survey indicating that 59.1% of respondents rated President Lee's performance positively. In contrast, 36.8% expressed disapproval, while 4.2% were unsure.The approval rating decreased by 0.2 percentage points from the previous week, while the disapproval rating increased by 0.7 percentage points.The survey, commissioned by the Energy Economy Newspaper, was conducted from May 26 to May 29 among 2,008 eligible voters aged 18 and older across the country, utilizing a 100% automated response method. The margin of error is ±2.2 percentage points at a 95% confidence level, with a response rate of 4.8%. For more details, please refer to the Realmeter website or the Central Election Poll Survey Deliberation Committee's website.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-01 08:54:00

Kim Jong Un Visits Greenhouse Farm in Sinuiju, Emphasizes Year-Round Vegetable Cultivation Kim Jong Un, Chairman of North Korea's State Affairs Commission, visited a large-scale greenhouse farm in Sinuiju, North Pyongan Province, to assess its operations and expressed satisfaction with its progress, according to state media reports. The Korean Central News Agency reported that during his visit to the Sinuiju Greenhouse Complex on May 31, Kim reviewed the farm's production and scientific research on vegetables, as well as its management practices. His wife, Ri Sol-ju, and daughter, Ju-ae, accompanied him. Kim toured various types of hydroponic and soil greenhouses, experimental cultivation facilities, and canola fields. He reportedly expressed satisfaction with reports indicating that the farm produces hundreds of tons of vegetables daily. He emphasized the need to minimize energy consumption in vegetable production while ensuring optimal growing conditions for different crop varieties to reduce costs and enable year-round cultivation. He called for diversification of crop varieties, scientific management practices, and competition among farms. Kim also inspected the construction progress of new health facilities, a comprehensive service center, and a vegetable processing plant in the greenhouse area, noting that construction is approximately 50% complete. He remarked, "Seeing the modern hospital, multifunctional service center, and specialized vegetable processing plant being built to enhance the health and cultural life of local residents is truly heartwarming. Once completed, the Wihwa area will serve as a model and standard for a new era of local development." Kim has shown deep interest in the site, visiting it five times last year, including for the groundbreaking ceremony. He also made three visits this year, including attending the completion ceremony in February. North Korea has promoted the construction of this large greenhouse farm, which is 1.5 times the size of Yeouido (2.9 square kilometers), as a representative example of its 'people-centered' and local development policies following significant flooding in the Sinuiju Wihwa area in the summer of 2024. Yang Moo-jin, a professor at the University of North Korean Studies, stated, "The development of Wihwa is intended to standardize local transformation in line with the new era, and Wihwa can be seen as a foothold for North Korea-China cooperation due to its border location with China."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-01 08:51:00

Seoul Semiconductor's HV Optoelectronics Adopted by Four Global Automakers Seoul Semiconductor is expanding its presence in the automotive semiconductor market with its self-developed HV optoelectronics technology. Four major global automakers in the U.S., Europe, and Asia have begun mass production using this technology, with plans to increase the number of applicable models to ten by the end of the year. According to industry sources, Seoul Semiconductor's HV optoelectronics technology enables high-voltage operation of 12V or more from a single chip, unlike the traditional 3V LED method. This technology combines miniaturized optoelectronic chips with high-voltage driver technology, focusing on reducing the number of automotive electronic components and power loss. The company states that applying this technology can reduce the number of driver-related components used in hybrid and electric vehicles by over 10% and lower power consumption by about 10%. It is also estimated that driver costs can be reduced by approximately 20% compared to traditional 3V LEDs. The key to this technology is the application of a multi-P-N junction structure on a single chip. Traditional LEDs require a significant voltage conversion from the vehicle's high-voltage battery to a lower voltage, while HV optoelectronics reduce the voltage conversion range, alleviating circuit design burdens and heat issues. As demand for lighting in electric and hybrid vehicles increases, industry experts are reassessing automotive LEDs from simple lighting components to critical parts that influence electronic efficiency. Seoul Semiconductor plans to expand its global customer base for its HV optoelectronics chips, backed by hundreds of patents related to the technology and over 50 patents for driver components. The company aims to enter the ranks of the top 10 global automotive manufacturers by the end of the year. The growth of the electric vehicle market is also driving demand for automotive optoelectronics. According to the International Energy Agency, electric vehicles are expected to account for one in four new car sales globally by 2025. As electrification and advanced vehicle functionalities progress simultaneously, the range of optoelectronics used in each vehicle is also expanding. Matthew Pras, Chief Operating Officer of Seoul Semiconductor North America, stated, "Global electric vehicle sales are rapidly increasing, and the amount spent on optoelectronics per vehicle will also rise. We will focus on increasing the share of our automotive division centered around HV optoelectronics."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-01 08:51:00

Joo Su-bin Falls Short of Victory, Ties for 4th at ShopRite LPGA Joo Su-bin could not maintain her four-stroke lead at the ShopRite LPGA, ultimately missing her first victory on the LPGA Tour. On June 1, in the final round of the tournament held at the Bay Course of Sea View Hotel & Golf Club in Galloway, New Jersey, Joo recorded three birdies but also had one double bogey and three bogeys, finishing with a two-over par. With a total score of six-under 207, Joo relinquished the lead to Celine Boutier of France, who surged ahead with a five-under par on the final day, finishing at nine-under 204. Joo ended the tournament tied for fourth place. Since debuting on the LPGA Tour in 2023, Joo achieved her personal best finish in this tournament, although her quest for a first title will have to wait. Her previous best was a tie for sixth place in this same event last year. During the round, Joo exchanged two birdies and two bogeys on the front nine. However, she stumbled on the 14th hole (par 4) with consecutive shot errors, resulting in a double bogey that cost her two strokes and diminished her chances of winning. She lost another stroke on the 16th hole (par 4) and was unable to close the gap with Boutier. Boutier's impressive performance included six birdies and just one bogey, allowing her to claim the victory and a prize of $300,000 (approximately 450 million won). This win marks Boutier's first trophy in two years and eight months since the Maybank Championship in October 2023, bringing her career total to seven victories. Isomi Lee, who was tied for second after the second round, also finished with a total score of six-under 207, tying for fourth place with Joo. This marks her third top-10 finish of the season. Jeon Ji-won secured sole eighth place with a score of five-under 208, marking her third top-10 finish in her career.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-01 08:48:00

DS Investment Securities Projects EcoPro HN to Benefit from Semiconductor Investments, Sets Target Price at 45,000 Won DS Investment Securities announced on June 1 that it expects increased demand for greenhouse gas reduction solutions due to the expansion of semiconductor equipment investments. The firm has initiated a "buy" rating for EcoPro HN and set a target price of 45,000 won. Analyst An Joo-won stated, "The semiconductor investment cycle is aligning with the growth phase of cleanroom chemical filters and greenhouse gas reduction solutions. Notably, the growth potential of the highly profitable greenhouse gas reduction solutions is expected to be significant." He added, "Cleanroom chemical filters are essential consumables for improving semiconductor process yields, leading to stable replacement demand. Greenhouse gas reduction solutions are also becoming essential equipment due to the expansion of emissions trading systems and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) management practices." An further explained, "As new investments in domestic upstream industries gain momentum, we anticipate an increase in related orders starting this year. The acquisition of new clients will also expand based on large-scale greenhouse gas treatment technologies utilizing catalytic methods." He projected that this year, EcoPro HN's revenue will reach 191.4 billion won, with operating profit of 32.3 billion won, marking increases of 35.7% and 175.3%, respectively, compared to the previous year. He noted that the revenue growth rate for greenhouse gas reduction solutions is expected to exceed 60%, driving overall performance improvement.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-01 08:45:00

Breast Cancer Treatment Costs Rise by 12% Over Four Years The financial burden of breast cancer treatment, the most common cancer among women in South Korea, has been steadily increasing. This is particularly concerning as breast cancer primarily affects women in their 30s to 50s, a key working age, and the expansion of advanced treatments such as targeted and immunotherapy has further heightened the perceived cost of medical care. On June 1, Samsung Fire & Marine analyzed breast cancer treatment cases and costs using its health information platform, 'Health DB.' The analysis revealed that insurance payouts for breast cancer treatment increased from 3.72 million won in 2021 to 4.17 million won in 2024, marking a 12.1% rise. This increase surpasses the growth rate of medical expenses covered by health insurance during the same period. According to the National Health Insurance Statistics, the annual medical cost per breast cancer patient rose from 5.03 million won in 2021 to 5.35 million won in 2024, a 6.4% increase. Since health insurance costs do not include out-of-pocket expenses, the actual financial burden on patients may be even greater. Data from the National Cancer Registration Statistics indicates that breast cancer is the most prevalent cancer among women in South Korea, with an average annual increase of 5.9% from 2020 to 2023. Notably, women in their 40s are particularly affected, with cases occurring approximately a decade earlier than in Western countries. The burden of non-reimbursable costs is also significant. The 2024 Health Insurance Patient Medical Expense Survey by the National Health Insurance Service found that the out-of-pocket expense rate for breast cancer patients was 24.1%, considerably higher than the average of 8.8% for the top 30 diseases with severe and high medical costs. The expansion of advanced treatments has led to an increase in high-cost cases. An analysis by Samsung Fire & Marine of breast cancer patients diagnosed between 2021 and 2022 found that about 1.2% of cases incurred direct treatment costs exceeding 50 million won. All of these patients received either targeted or immunotherapy. Among all breast cancer chemotherapy patients, the proportion receiving targeted and immunotherapy has steadily increased over the past five years, reaching 56.2% in 2025. In some instances, treatment costs have even reached 100 million won. Samsung Fire & Marine emphasized the importance of early screening for breast cancer, not only for improving treatment outcomes but also for managing economic burdens. Their previous analysis indicated that patients whose treatment concluded within one year incurred an average medical cost of 7.51 million won, while those whose treatment extended beyond one year faced an average cost of 23.8 million won.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-01 08:42:00

Jeon Ji-hyun and Koo Kyo-hwan's 'Gunchae' Tops Weekend Box Office, Surpasses 3 Million Viewers 'Gunchae' has maintained its position at the top of the weekend box office for two consecutive weeks. According to the Korean Film Council's integrated ticketing system, 'Gunchae' attracted 971,020 viewers from May 29 to 31, securing the top spot at the weekend box office. This marks the film's 11th consecutive day at number one since its release. The film surpassed 3 million cumulative viewers just 10 days after its release on May 30, exceeding its break-even point. It has achieved the fastest milestones for 1 million, 2 million, and 3 million viewers among films released this year, continuing to draw audiences in its second week. 'Gunchae' tells the story of survivors trapped in a building due to an unidentified infection outbreak, facing off against infected individuals who evolve in unpredictable ways. Directed by Yeon Sang-ho, the film stars Jeon Ji-hyun, Koo Kyo-hwan, Ji Chang-wook, Shin Hyun-bin, Kim Shin-rok, and Go Soo. In second place was 'Backroom,' which attracted 303,264 viewers during the same period, bringing its cumulative total to 391,129. Released on May 27, the film follows Clark and Mary as they encounter inexplicable events in a bizarre space characterized by yellow walls and endless fluorescent lights. 'Backroom' expands an internet-based horror universe into a feature film. Its unique premise, along with involvement from A24 and James Wan's Atomic Monster, as well as visual direction by director Kane Parsons, has garnered early interest from audiences. The film 'Michael' followed closely, drawing 136,682 viewers during the same period, with a cumulative total of 1,394,934. 'Michael' chronicles the journey of Michael Jackson, who captivated the world with his innate musical talent and became the 'King of Pop.' As the last weekend of May concluded, 'Gunchae' held its lead after surpassing its break-even point, while the new release 'Backroom' quickly attracted audiences, establishing itself as a successful foreign film. 'Michael' also maintained a strong position with nearly 1.4 million cumulative viewers.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-01 08:42:00