South Korea Expects Constructive Role from Xi Jinping's Visit to North Korea On June 5, the South Korean government expressed hope that Chinese President Xi Jinping's upcoming state visit to North Korea will play a constructive role in regional stability. The Blue House stated, "We are closely monitoring the situation and expect China to take a constructive role regarding the Korean Peninsula issues." The government added that it hopes exchanges between North Korea and China will contribute positively to peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula, emphasizing ongoing diplomatic communication with China on these matters. A senior official from the Blue House told reporters that they do not view Xi's visit as a sign of a North Korea-China-Russia alliance, but rather as a high-level exchange between North Korea and China. The official clarified, "We do not interpret this as a movement involving the three countries, and we are uncertain how it connects to the U.S.-China summit." A representative from the Unification Ministry stated, "Our policy for peaceful coexistence on the Korean Peninsula supports dialogue and seeks to avoid confrontation. We hope President Xi's visit will advance peaceful coexistence on the Korean Peninsula and in Northeast Asia." Earlier, a spokesperson for the International Liaison Department of the Communist Party of China announced that Xi will visit North Korea 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. This visit marks Xi's second trip to North Korea since Kim Jong Un took power and the first since June 2019. The last meeting between the leaders of North Korea and China occurred about nine months ago when Kim visited Beijing to attend the 80th anniversary of China's victory in the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-05 15:18:00

Korean Party Leaders Song Eon-seok and Jeong Jeom-sik Resign, Call for New Beginning 6.3 local elections prompted the resignation of Song Eon-seok, floor leader of the People Power Party, and Jeong Jeom-sik, the party's policy chief.During a party meeting on June 5, Song announced, "I wish to resign from my position as floor leader." He added, "The results of this election clearly reflect the will of the people. It is a great victory for the wise citizens. The public did not give overwhelming power to any one party or faction, reminding us that the principles of checks and balances and democracy are important." He emphasized that the People Power Party must reflect, innovate, and re-engage with the public, stating, "I believe our party needs a new beginning," and expressed hope for the swift election of a new floor leader to move the party forward. Song's resignation comes ten days before the end of his term on June 15.Jeong also stepped down from his position on the same day. In a post on Facebook, he reflected, "I began this journey with a serious sense of responsibility to fill the void left by my predecessor's resignation in January." He noted that he dedicated his efforts to developing policies that would provide tangible benefits to the public. Jeong expressed gratitude to his fellow lawmakers, party officials, and the public for their support during his tenure, stating, "Although I am stepping down from my title, I will continue to fulfill my role in the field of people's livelihoods."Kwak Gyu-taek, the party's floor spokesperson, spoke to reporters after the meeting about the timing for electing a new floor leader, suggesting it could happen early next week. He mentioned that the floor leader election management committee would hold its first meeting that day to establish a timeline for the election.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-05 15:09:00

Lee to travel to Europe next week ahead of G7 summit in France SEOUL, June 5 (AJP) - President Lee Jae Myung will travel to Europe next week to attend the Group of Seven (G7) summit in France, Cheong Wa Dae said on Friday. In a press briefing in Seoul, national security adviser Wi Sung-lac said Lee is scheduled to visit European countries including Belgium, Italy and the Vatican from June 9 to 18. Lee will begin his two-week trip in Brussels, where he will meet Belgian and EU leaders. "This year marks the 125th anniversary of diplomatic ties with Belgium," Wi said, adding that Lee's stop there will be South Korea's first high-level bilateral summit in about eight years. Lee will then travel to Italy to meet President Sergio Mattarella and hold talks with Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, whom he met on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly in New York in September last year and again during her official visit to Seoul in January. Before attending the G7 summit in Évian-les-Bains, France on June 15-17, Lee will visit the Vatican for a meeting with Pope Leo XIV, roughly a year after the pontiff's inauguration in May last year. Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump is also expected to attend the G7 summit, although it remains to be seen whether the two will make time to sit down for talks. 2026-06-05 15:05:56

Ewha Hakdang Achieves 3.25% Employment Rate for People with Disabilities Minister of Employment and Labor Kim Young-hoon visited the Ewha Hakdang's subsidiary standard workplace for people with disabilities, I-Soo Management, to review measures for expanding job opportunities for individuals with disabilities.On June 5, Kim visited the Ewha Seoul Hospital in Gangseo-gu, Seoul, where he encouraged disabled workers employed by I-Soo Management and assessed the current operational status of the workplace.The subsidiary standard workplace system allows companies or institutions to establish separate subsidiaries focused on employing individuals with disabilities. This system is characterized by identifying suitable job roles for disabled individuals and improving working conditions to provide stable employment.In particular, subsidiary standard workplaces are considered a key means of creating jobs for individuals with developmental disabilities. Among the disabled workers in these workplaces, 65.3% are individuals with developmental disabilities. The proportion of young disabled individuals with developmental disabilities also rose to 69.6% last year, indicating a growing demand for tailored job opportunities.I-Soo Management is recognized as a leading example of disability employment within the school corporation sector. It has developed various job roles, including operating convenience stores and cafes, supporting hospital operations, manufacturing and delivering ready-to-eat meals, and producing baked goods, employing over 100 individuals with developmental disabilities.Additionally, I-Soo Management collaborates with Ewha Womans University's Special Education Department, Department of Physical Education, College of Art and Design, and Music Therapy Department to run sports, cultural, and leisure programs that support workplace adaptation and social participation for disabled workers.Thanks to these efforts, the overall employment rate for individuals with disabilities at the parent organization, Ewha Hakdang, has steadily improved. The employment rate rose from 1.50% in 2020 to 3.25% last year, surpassing the mandatory employment rate of 3.1%.The government provides up to 1.5 billion won in facility investment support for businesses establishing standard workplaces for individuals with disabilities, along with employment consulting, incentives for hiring disabled individuals, and after-work activity support for those with developmental disabilities to help maintain employment.Kim stated, "Employment for individuals with disabilities is not just about providing job opportunities; it is the first step toward social integration. We will actively support the dissemination of best practices, such as identifying suitable job roles for individuals with disabilities, across schools and the healthcare sector." He also directed the formation of a task force to develop practical support measures for expanding employment for individuals with disabilities.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-05 15:03:00

Korea's Fair Trade Commission Targets Hidden Fees in Photography Industry Recently, the Fair Trade Commission (FTC) has taken steps to address the photography industry’s practice of luring consumers with free photo shoots, only to demand additional fees for original photo files or albums and frames. On June 5, the FTC and the Korea Consumer Agency held a meeting with industry representatives, including the Korea Photographers Association and the Korea Professional Photographers Association, to discuss measures to prevent consumer harm during photography services. This meeting was part of the government's "Normalization Project" aimed at resolving information asymmetry in the photography sector. The initiative seeks to improve practices where services are advertised as low-cost or free, but consumers are later charged high fees for original files, album production, or costume rentals. According to the Korea Consumer Agency, there have been 1,670 applications for damage relief related to photography services from 2022 to April of this year. Of these, 262 cases, or 15.7%, were linked to deceptive advertising for “free shoots.” The breakdown shows 62 cases in 2022, 44 in 2023, 61 in 2024, and 77 last year. The agency noted that many consumers who booked services after seeing ads for free photography were later asked to purchase frames or albums under the condition of receiving their original photos. In response, the FTC and the Korea Consumer Agency recommended that businesses disclose detailed price lists, including basic photography fees, the availability of original photo files, album and frame production costs, and costume rental fees on their websites and in their establishments. They also urged businesses to clearly inform consumers about potential additional costs before the shoot and to provide clear guidance during the contract phase. Furthermore, the agencies reminded operators to comply with advertising laws prohibiting misleading advertisements and to disclose compensation standards for damages. Industry representatives expressed their willingness to cooperate with self-improvement efforts. The Korea Photographers Association and the Korea Professional Photographers Association suggested expanding the posting of detailed price lists and pre-service notifications, as well as providing promotional and educational support to help small businesses understand relevant guidelines. An FTC official stated, "We will continue to engage with the photography industry while maintaining ongoing monitoring and enforcement against deceptive practices that harm consumers."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-05 15:03:00

Korean Won Surpasses 1550 Against Dollar, Raising Market Concerns The exchange rate of the Korean won against the U.S. dollar has surpassed 1550 won, reaching its highest level since the global financial crisis. This surge has heightened market anxiety, with some online commentators suggesting that the government may have relaxed its currency management after the recent elections. In the Seoul foreign exchange market, the won-dollar rate exceeded 1550 during trading, marking the highest level since 2009, during the global financial crisis. Analysts attribute the decline in investor sentiment towards the won to a combination of prolonged conflict, rising oil prices, and foreign capital outflows. There are claims that the foreign exchange authorities suppressed the exchange rate through large-scale dollar sales throughout May. However, no official evidence has been presented to confirm that the government manipulated the exchange rate for electoral purposes. The foreign exchange authorities typically implement market stabilization measures during periods of rapid currency fluctuations and have recently stated that they will take necessary actions against excessive market imbalances. Market experts suggest that the current surge in the exchange rate is more influenced by global dollar strength and escalating geopolitical risks than by domestic factors. Korea Investment & Securities noted in a recent report that factors contributing to the won's weakness, such as prolonged conflict, foreign selling, and tariff risks, continue to accumulate, making it difficult to predict the upper limit of the exchange rate. Ultimately, it is challenging to attribute the current spike in the exchange rate solely to the conclusion of the elections. However, market participants are closely monitoring the potential for further intervention by foreign exchange authorities, developments in the Middle East, and changes in U.S. monetary policy as key variables that will determine the future direction of the won.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-05 15:03:00

Han Dong-hoon Returns to National Assembly After Winning Busan By-Election Independent lawmaker Han Dong-hoon, who won the by-election for Busan's North District, made his first appearance in the National Assembly on June 5, stating, "I have returned here through the power of the citizens." He attended the plenary session, marking the beginning of his political journey as a first-term lawmaker. Immediately after entering the assembly, Han told reporters, "I was here on the night of December 3, 2024," referring to a pivotal moment in his political career. He added, "Based on the decisions and actions I took that day as a representative of the People Power Party, I have walked a difficult political path since then. If I had to go back to that time, I would make the same choices." Han was elected by defeating Democratic Party candidate Ha Jung-woo in a fiercely contested race in Busan's North District. His return to the National Assembly comes 128 days after he was expelled from the People Power Party due to a controversy involving a party member bulletin board in January. He emphasized his commitment to serving the community, stating, "I will faithfully carry out legislative activities that reflect the strong desire of the citizens to develop the region, rebuild conservatism, and prevent the abuse of power." He also pledged to listen to his fellow lawmakers and prioritize the needs of the people. Regarding plans to rejoin the People Power Party, he remarked, "I said on the first day of my expulsion that I would return. However, I don't think it's the right time to discuss specific procedures yet." After his election was confirmed, Han expressed his desire to rebuild conservatism and indicated his intention to return to the party. He criticized the current leadership of the People Power Party, stating, "The actions and words of those who seem to represent the party do not match the dignity or capability expected of a conservative party. It is time for reflection and to set a proper direction." He reiterated his commitment to returning to the party, stating, "This election victory is part of fulfilling that promise." As he hints at the possibility of rejoining, tensions within the party are expected to escalate. Observers suggest that Han, having successfully entered the assembly, could become a focal point for the reorganization of conservative politics. Meanwhile, his office will be located in Room 1022 of the National Assembly building, where many of his allied lawmakers also have offices. While he has expressed interest in serving on the Legislation and Judiciary Committee, the likelihood is low due to his status as an independent lawmaker not affiliated with any negotiating bloc. 2026-06-05 15:03:00

Seoul's Rental Market Faces Severe Supply Shortages as Demand Surges The supply shortage in the rental market for apartments in the metropolitan area is intensifying. The rental supply index for North Seoul has surpassed 188, indicating a near depletion of available units. As demand spreads to Gyeonggi Province and Incheon, signs of a rental crisis are becoming evident across the metropolitan area. North Seoul's Index Approaches 190... Metropolitan Area Sees 7-Point Rise in 10 Weeks According to a weekly report on apartment price trends released by KB Real Estate on June 1, the rental supply index for the metropolitan area reached 179.3. This marks a 6.7-point increase over the past ten weeks, compared to 172.6 in the third week of March. Notably, Seoul's index has risen to 182.0, while North Seoul's index has soared to 188.4, nearing the critical level of 200, which indicates complete supply exhaustion. North Seoul's index is now over 12 points higher than that of South Seoul, which stands at 176.2. The rental supply index is calculated on a scale from 0 to 200, with values above 100 indicating a higher proportion of responses indicating supply shortages. As the index approaches 200, it signifies extreme difficulty in finding rental properties. The current index of 188.4 for North Seoul suggests that rental listings are nearly depleted. Analysts are increasingly attributing this situation to a structural supply shortage rather than a temporary phenomenon. Typically, when the index exceeds 190, the market tends to enter a phase of rapid rental price increases. Rental Rate Increase of 0.28%... Outpacing Sales Growth The actual imbalance in supply and demand is reflected in rental prices. KB Real Estate reported a rental rate increase of 0.28% in Seoul during the same period, significantly surpassing the sales rate increase of 0.193%. Among districts, Dobong-gu recorded the highest increase in Seoul, rising by 0.76% in just one week. Conditions for rental supply in South Seoul are also deteriorating rapidly. The rental supply index for South Seoul jumped from 163.6 in March to 176.2 this week, marking a 12.6-point increase over ten weeks, more than double the increase in North Seoul (6.2 points). While North Seoul's absolute index remains higher, the rapid decline in supply in South Seoul is closing the gap. In fact, Seocho-gu (0.529%) and Songpa-gu (0.472%) recorded the second and third highest rental increases, respectively, following Dobong-gu, demonstrating a direct correlation between supply deterioration and rising prices. The trend of soaring rental prices is spreading throughout Seoul, regardless of the district. Gap Between Metropolitan and Regional Markets Triples... Pressure Extends to Southern Gyeonggi Rental instability is also affecting Gyeonggi Province and Incheon. This week, Gyeonggi's rental supply index reached 178.0, while Incheon's index was 178.6, indicating a simultaneous rise across the metropolitan area. In contrast, the gap with the five major cities (165.4) has widened from 4.2 points in the third week of March to 13.9 points this week, more than tripling. This reflects a deepening supply imbalance as the entire metropolitan area absorbs rental demand. Within Gyeonggi, the southern region, which is more accessible to Seoul, has seen particularly notable increases. Gwangmyeong recorded the highest increase in Gyeonggi at 0.655%, followed by Gunpo (0.440%) and Gwacheon (0.423%). Supply Lockdown and Tax Pressure Create Dual Challenges... Structural Supply Decrease The direct causes of the rental supply shortage include the withdrawal of listings following the resolution of reverse rental issues and the reintroduction of increased capital gains tax for multiple homeowners. Properties that flooded the market during the rental price decline of 2023-2024 have been withdrawn as prices rebounded, leading to a decrease in available listings. The reintroduction of the increased capital gains tax on multiple homeowners on May 10 has further exacerbated the supply lockdown. Analysts suggest that homeowners who have opted not to sell are either maintaining their rentals or converting to monthly leases, creating dual pressures on rental supply. As the number of new apartments entering the market in the metropolitan area is expected to decrease in the second half of the year, market tension is rising. Analysts warn that if the rental supply index surpasses 190 without an increase in supply, a phase of rapid rental price increases could become a reality. One expert stated, "We are currently at a stage where the supply imbalance is spreading simultaneously across all of Seoul and the outskirts of the metropolitan area. If the number of new apartments decreases in the second half of the year, the speed at which rental market instability transfers to the sales market could accelerate."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-05 14:57:00

Jensen Huang's Airport Fashion Surprises with Simplicity Today, Jensen Huang, CEO of NVIDIA, has drawn attention for his airport fashion upon arriving in South Korea. On June 5, Huang arrived at Gimpo International Airport in Seoul. He showcased his signature style by pairing a deep blue Dior Moulure embroidered zip shirt with white pants, complemented by a crocodile-patterned belt that added a touch of luxury. According to industry sources, the Dior shirt Huang wore is priced at approximately 4.7 million won, while the belt from fashion brand Karl Lagerfeld retails for around 140,000 won. Huang is known for frequently wearing Tom Ford leather jackets at official events, particularly exotic leather jackets that can cost millions of won, which have become his signature fashion items. During his arrival, Huang actively engaged with fans, signing autographs and posing for photos. During his visit to South Korea, Huang is scheduled to hold meetings with leaders of major domestic companies, including Samsung Electronics, SK Group, LG Group, and Naver. He will also participate in the recording of the tvN entertainment program 'You Quiz on the Block' and attend a ceremonial first pitch at a professional baseball game.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-05 14:54:00

Tourism agency partners with Catch Table to simplify restaurant reservations for foreign tourists SEOUL, June 05 (AJP) - The Korea Tourism Organization has forged a partnership with WAD, the operator of the dining platform Catch Table, to improve restaurant reservations and information access for international visitors, , the state-operated tourism agency said Friday. The partnership focuses on promoting K-Local Gourmet Travels 33, a list of regional food destinations selected by KTO. Through the Catch Table global application, the organizations will create a digital service that combines restaurant information, reservations, and payment processing into a single system. The initiative is designed to eliminate language barriers that foreign travelers experience when dining at local restaurants. By integrating regional eateries into a global platform, the project seeks to distribute tourist traffic beyond major cities and generate revenue for small businesses across South Korea. "With K-food establishing itself as a global cultural trend, this agreement is an important milestone for the qualitative growth of food tourism in South Korea," said Min Byung-sun, head of the tourism industry division at KTO. "We will help foreign tourists conveniently enjoy hidden culinary gems across South Korea, bringing new vitality to the regional economy and the overall tourism industry." 2026-06-05 14:50:05