Three Candidates for People Power Party Floor Leader Call for Change Kim Do-eup, Jung Jeom-sik, and Sung Il-jong, candidates for the next floor leader of the People Power Party, expressed a shared belief in the need for change and innovation within the party during a meeting on June 9. However, they also emphasized the importance of being cautious regarding the potential replacement of party leader Jang Dong-hyuk and the entry of independent candidate Han Dong-hoon into the party. The three candidates participated in a discussion hosted by first-term and re-elected lawmakers, where they shared their evaluations of the June 3 local elections and their visions for the party, while also responding to questions from lawmakers. In their remarks, both Kim and Sung advocated for a shift in the party's direction, while Jung, who is aligned with the party establishment, stressed the need for unity. Kim stated, "I will make this a party that no longer hears the term 'pro-Yoon party' (referring to President Yoon Suk-yeol)." Sung added, "Now is not the time for factional battles between pro-Han (referring to Han Dong-hoon) and pro-Yoon groups; they need to disappear." Jung remarked, "Restoring public trust in the party and uniting our fragmented strength is a historical task that the People Power Party and the floor leader must accomplish. The intense deliberation over whether to resign or stabilize the leadership should not lead to further division among us." The candidates took a cautious stance regarding calls for Jang's resignation. After the discussion, Representative Park Sang-woong, a first-term lawmaker, told reporters that the candidates agreed on the need for a thoughtful approach to leadership change, stating, "We have decided not to make hasty demands that seem forced or urgent, but rather to reach a dignified decision over a longer period." Park noted, "The decision regarding leadership resignation should be made by the highest committee, and it would not be appropriate for the newly elected floor leader to determine the direction, as it contradicts party rules and the political environment." The cautious approach regarding Jang's potential resignation appears to be influenced by the ongoing issue of a shortage of ballots. He stated, "Isn't Jang's term ending in August next year? There has been no discussion about shortening his term. The nationwide unrest over the ballot shortage is not a simple issue, and we need to focus on correcting this rather than getting caught up in various power struggles within the party." Representative Eom Tae-young, representing the re-elected lawmakers, explained, "Given the limitations on enforcing a leadership change, the common opinion among the candidates is to take time and pursue a dignified and rational method for leadership transition and party renewal." Eom added that one candidate referenced the past case of former leader Lee Jun-seok, suggesting that while accountability for the party leadership is necessary, it is important to learn from that experience and proceed with caution regarding procedural matters. The three candidates also agreed that ample time should be taken to assess Han Dong-hoon's potential entry into the party. Park stated, "None of the candidates expressed a desire to hastily demand Han's entry or create an environment for it. We believe it is best to take sufficient time to evaluate after he has adapted to the National Assembly over the next one to two years."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-09 17:39:00

Xi Jinping Concludes Visit to North Korea, Emphasizing Strategic Cooperation Chinese President Xi Jinping returned to Beijing on the afternoon of June 9 after completing a state visit to North Korea, his first in seven years. During the two-day visit, Xi reaffirmed the traditional friendship between China and North Korea with Kim Jong Un. Notably, while their 2019 meeting focused on denuclearization and peace on the Korean Peninsula, this visit emphasized strategic cooperation and socialist solidarity between the two nations. According to China's state-run Xinhua News Agency, on the second day of his visit, Xi toured the China-North Korea Friendship Tower and the Central Party School of the Workers' Party of Korea with Kim. Established in 1959, the Friendship Tower commemorates the Chinese People's Volunteer Army soldiers who fought in the Korean War and symbolizes the alliance between China and North Korea. Xi laid a wreath inscribed with the phrase "The martyrs of the Chinese People's Volunteer Army will be immortal" and paid his respects. Xinhua reported that Xi and Kim shared a mutual understanding that the history of their countries fighting together in the 1950s is a lasting collective memory. They agreed to inherit and develop the spirit of the Korean War and to pass down the traditional friendship between China and North Korea to future generations. China refers to the Korean War as the "War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea." The two leaders then visited the Central Party School, where they observed a class and participated in a commemorative tree-planting ceremony. A stone marker inscribed with "The friendship between China and North Korea is everlasting" was placed in front of the fir tree they planted together. Xinhua noted that the evergreen fir symbolizes the unchanging friendship between the two nations. The tribute at the Friendship Tower and the tree-planting ceremony symbolize the commitment of both leaders to honor the history of their alliance formed during the Korean War and to pass it on to future generations. Chinese state media extensively covered Xi's visit, promoting a friendly atmosphere between China and North Korea. The People's Daily, the official newspaper of the Communist Party of China, filled its front pages with articles and photos related to the visit, emphasizing the significance of expanding strategic cooperation between the two countries. Yang Shiyu, a researcher at the China Institute of International Studies, predicted that the Communist Parties of China and North Korea will enhance exchanges and cooperation across various fields to promote joint socialist development. Dong Xiangrong, a researcher at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, also noted that expanding practical cooperation between the two countries is a crucial direction for deepening China-North Korea relations. This visit comes amid significant changes in the international landscape compared to Xi's first visit in 2019. At that time, North Korea was in a state of international isolation following the collapse of the Hanoi summit between North Korea and the United States, and the two leaders focused on denuclearization and peace as key agenda items. However, with North Korea recently expanding military and economic cooperation with Russia, the current summit has shifted the focus from nuclear issues to strategic cooperation between China and North Korea. Indeed, a commentary published in the Rodong Sinmun just before Xi's visit reflects this shift. While the 2019 commentary emphasized "peace on the Korean Peninsula" and mentioned "Korean Peninsula" six times, the recent piece focused on "opposition to hegemony" and "strategic cooperation," with no mention of the Korean Peninsula. The Hong Kong Ming Pao noted that this clearly indicates that the nuclear issue is no longer a central topic in China-North Korea relations. As China refrains from emphasizing the nuclear issue, there are concerns that it may be tacitly endorsing North Korea's nuclear armament. The Hong Kong South China Morning Post cited experts who suggest that the restored China-North Korea relationship could indirectly promote North Korea's military buildup. 2026-06-09 17:27:00

Seoul sees no rift with Washington over nuclear subs despite U.S. bill SEOUL, June 09 (AJP) - South Korea said Tuesday there is no disagreement with the United States over its ambition to build nuclear-powered submarines domestically, despite a move in the U.S. Congress to bar Navy combat vessels from being built at foreign shipyards. The government said Washington understands Seoul's plans and that the two sides remain in "close consultations" following the launch of follow-up talks on security agreements earlier this month. "As you know, South Korea and the United States held a launch meeting on June 2 and 3 for follow-up consultations on security agreements included in the joint fact sheet," a Foreign Ministry official told AJP during a regular briefing. "During the meeting, our side explained in detail our basic plan for developing nuclear-powered submarines," the official said. "The two sides share an understanding on the importance of such cooperation, and the government will continue close consultations with the U.S. side to produce substantive results based on that understanding." The remarks came after the House Armed Services Committee last Friday approved amendments to the National Defense Authorization Act sponsored by Rep. Jared Golden (D-Maine), including a provision prohibiting the use of Navy funds to procure battle-force ships built in foreign shipyards. The measure is aimed at preventing the U.S. Navy from outsourcing warship construction overseas amid debate in Washington over whether allied shipbuilders in South Korea and Japan should help address chronic delays and capacity shortages in the U.S. shipbuilding industry. "American military spending should support American jobs," Golden said after the committee vote. "The idea that we would build any portion of our surface fleet on foreign soil with foreign labor is unconscionable." The amendment represents a setback for proposals associated with the "Make American Shipbuilding Great Again" initiative, which envisioned a larger role for Korean capital and shipbuilders in revitalizing U.S. shipbuilding capacity. Still, Seoul does not appear to view the congressional move as directly targeting its own nuclear-powered submarine program. According to government officials, South Korea's plan centers on building the submarines domestically using South Korean shipyards and technology while seeking cooperation from the United States on low-enriched uranium fuel. The proposal has become a key element of Seoul's effort to strengthen deterrence against North Korea's expanding submarine-launched ballistic missile and nuclear capabilities. The House provision specifically targets U.S. Navy combat vessels rather than allied naval programs. The NDAA amendment is also far from becoming law. The House bill must still pass the full chamber before being reconciled with the Senate's version of the defense authorization legislation. Nevertheless, the debate has highlighted growing resistance within parts of Washington to expanding foreign participation in sensitive naval programs. Sen. Angus King of Maine was quoted by Breaking Defense as saying that building ships and destroyers in South Korea or Japan would be "the worst idea since the Red Sox traded Babe Ruth to the Yankees." "It doesn't make sense to be handing over that level of technology, even to our allies," he said. Golden has similarly argued that U.S. shipbuilding jobs should remain in the United States. "In the same year that American shipbuilders might get laid off, the U.S. Navy wants to employ foreign workers," he said, according to Breaking Defense. Industry officials say divisions remain inside the U.S. government over how much participation foreign shipbuilders should be allowed in future naval programs. A senior industry official familiar with the matter said there remains strong resistance within parts of the U.S. Navy toward relying on foreign shipyards, while skepticism persists inside the Pentagon over transferring sensitive naval technologies. The State Department appears more open to discussions, the official said, but lacks the authority to move forward without broader consensus across the U.S. national security establishment. South Korean and U.S. officials agreed after the June 2-3 launch meeting to move as quickly as possible toward tangible outcomes and establish a mechanism to review progress throughout the year. No timetable has been announced for the next round of consultations. 2026-06-09 17:24:09

South Korea Chooses Private Oil Release Over Strategic Reserves Amid Supply Concerns The deadline for the International Energy Agency's (IEA) joint resolution to release strategic oil reserves in response to global supply concerns stemming from the Middle East conflict has concluded. The South Korean government opted for a private release instead of directly tapping into its reserves, as alternative supplies and a strategic oil swap system have stabilized crude oil availability, while the burden of replenishing reserves remains significant. According to relevant authorities, the IEA resolved on March 11 to release a record 400 million barrels of oil following the outbreak of the Middle East war. South Korea's share of this release amounts to 22.46 million barrels, or 5.6% of the total, which must be completed by today. The IEA's conditions for the oil release include government-led physical releases from storage facilities and a reduction in the mandatory private stockpiling days. The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy decided to participate in the resolution by reducing the private stockpiling requirement from 40 days to 20 days. This approach is expected to result in an estimated release of 12 million barrels. This method differs from previous releases. The IEA has previously resolved to release strategic oil reserves six times, including during the Gulf War in 1991, Hurricane Katrina in 2005, the Libyan Civil War in 2011, and the Russia-Ukraine conflict in March and April 2022. In all but this year’s instance, the government had opted for direct releases. The government's choice to utilize private releases reflects the assessment that the current supply situation is not at its worst. Moon Sin-hak, the Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy, stated at a Cabinet meeting, "We have secured 86% of our crude oil needs for June and July," adding that private oil stockpiles are recovering to pre-war levels due to increased supply. Additionally, the strategic oil swap system is proving effective. This system allows the government to lend out reserves in emergencies when private entities secure alternative supplies. A ministry official noted, "I understand that the IEA views the oil swap as a new method for the government to release its reserves into the market." The burden of replenishing reserves after the release is another reason for the government's cautious approach. Following the release during the Russia-Ukraine conflict, international oil prices stabilized in the short term. However, the subsequent efforts by countries to refill their diminished reserves have been assessed as limiting downward pressure on prices. Concerns about a potential crisis in August are also being considered. Previously, limited increases in international oil prices were attributed to U.S. crude exports and a slowdown in Chinese demand. However, ongoing supply shortages have led to declining oil inventories, raising worries about increased global oil demand due to rising electricity needs for cooling in summer and increased travel during vacation periods. In light of these factors, the government is holding back on utilizing its strategic oil release option for now. A ministry official stated, "Given the uncertainty surrounding navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, we plan to release government reserves only when absolutely necessary in the future," adding that there would be no significant issues even if they do not release the quantities specified in the IEA resolution, as there are no penalties involved.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-09 17:24:00

Prime Minister Kim Calls for Urgent Attention to Youth Voting Rights Prime Minister Kim Min-seok stated on June 9 that he recently met with representatives of university students who expressed concerns about the shortage of voting papers. He emphasized that voting rights are fundamental to democracy and urged the National Assembly, political parties, and relevant agencies to take the youth's concerns seriously. During his opening remarks at a meeting on youth policy held at the Government Seoul Complex, Kim called for the entire government to approach this issue with heightened awareness and urgency. Reflecting on his meeting with student representatives on June 7, Kim expressed his embarrassment over the situation, stating, "It is regrettable that we have not been more sensitive and responsive to such issues. We must act more swiftly to find solutions, and this has strengthened my sense of responsibility." Additionally, Kim proposed exploring various measures to address the challenges faced by young people, particularly in housing, finance, and taxation, which often disadvantage them when starting families. He also highlighted the importance of providing incentives to companies that create jobs, especially in a context where youth unemployment and job shortages in small and medium-sized enterprises coexist. He noted that linking youth employment to sectors vulnerable to artificial intelligence transitions is significant for alleviating industrial polarization. Furthermore, Kim pointed out that while young people receive free medical treatment for injuries sustained during military service, they may suffer from lingering effects after discharge. He called for an expansion of military service-related injury insurance.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-09 17:18:00

Korean Textile Industry Chief Expands K-Fashion Cooperation in Europe The Korea Textile Industry Association announced on June 9 that President Choi Byung-oh will visit France, Italy, and Belgium from June 10 to 15 to meet with key representatives from local textile and fashion organizations. According to the association, Choi will meet with Olivier Ducatillon, President of the French Textile Industry Association (UIT), Pierre-François Le Roux, President of the French Clothing and Fashion Industry Association (UFIMH), and Yann Libourel, President of the French Women's Ready-to-Wear Association (FFPAPF) in Paris on June 11. The discussions will focus on cooperation between the textile and fashion industries of both countries, particularly in areas such as sustainability, digital transformation, and industrial innovation. On June 12, Choi will attend a business meeting in Rome alongside Hyewon Choi, CEO of Hyungji I&C. He will then meet with Silvana Pezzoli, Vice President of the Italian Textile and Fashion Industry Association, to discuss ways to enhance exchanges between companies in both countries. From June 13 to 14, Choi will visit Brussels, Belgium. During this time, he is scheduled to meet with Dirk Vantyghem, Secretary General of the EU Textile and Fashion Federation, and Paul Lombard, Secretary General of the EU Eco-Design Regulation (ESPR) Joint Research Center, Centexbel. They will review the implementation status of the EU's 'Sustainable Textile Strategy' related to ESPR textile readiness research. Additionally, discussions will cover topics of interest to the domestic industry, including the Forced Labor Prevention Act, supply chain transparency policies, EU trade policies, and strategies for expanding textile manufacturing between South Korea and the EU. A representative from the association stated, "This tour of France, Italy, and Belgium will accelerate K-Fashion's entry into the European market and serve as a significant opportunity to enhance cooperation between Korea and Europe." Meanwhile, the association announced the appointment of Byung-man Byeon, former policy planning director of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, as the new executive vice president.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-09 17:15:00

Kakao to stage first-ever strike as pay dispute deepens SEOUL, June 09 (AJP) - The labor union at Kakao, South Korea's dominant messaging and fintech operator, will hold its first walkout in the company's history, marking a turning point in a protracted dispute over performance-based pay. The action is the first since the founding of IweLab, Kakao's predecessor, in 2006, the union said. It comes after a second round of mediation at the Gyeonggi Regional Labor Relations Commission collapsed in late May, granting the union the legal right to strike. According to the IT industry, labor circles and police, the union will stage a partial strike of about five hours from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Wednesday and rally near Kakao's Pangyo office in Seongnam, south of Seoul. Members are expected to condemn what they call management failures and demand job security. With wage and collective-bargaining talks deadlocked, the union is also seeking an overhaul of a compensation system it says rewards executives while leaving rank-and-file pay opaque despite improving earnings. From 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., members will march about 800 meters from the Pangyo office to the U space building, around one kilometer away. The union initially notified police that some 2,000 members would gather from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., but officers estimate about 600 will turn out. Police plan to deploy one company of about 80 officers for traffic safety, anticipating a peaceful march. The walkout is unlikely to seriously disrupt flagship services such as KakaoTalk, used by about 40 million people monthly, or Kakao Pay, as essential staff remain on duty and core systems are automated. Analysts caution, however, that a prolonged strike could erode the company's ability to respond to sudden outages. The firm responded that it would keep services running, adding that it would establish the necessary response system. 2026-06-09 17:14:19

Special Prosecutors Seek Arrest Warrants for Four Officials, Including Kim Myung-soo, Over Insurrection Allegations The Special Prosecutors' team has requested arrest warrants for four officials, including Kim Myung-soo, the former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, over allegations of involvement in insurrection during the military's deployment in December 2023.On June 9, the second Special Prosecutors' team, led by Special Prosecutor Kwon Chang-young, announced that they had filed for arrest warrants against Kim and three others: Jeong Jin-pal, former Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; Kim Heung-jun, former Director of the Army Policy Office; and Lee Jae-sik, former Director of the Joint Chiefs of Staff's Operational Readiness Inspection.The officials are accused of failing to prevent military forces from being deployed to the National Assembly and other locations shortly after the declaration of martial law, while also participating in the establishment of the martial law command.During the investigation, the Special Prosecutors reportedly uncovered evidence that a proposal to withdraw troops was communicated to Kim after the National Assembly passed a resolution calling for the lifting of martial law.Additionally, the Special Prosecutors believe that Kim issued a brief order to the Special Warfare Command and the Capital Defense Command to prioritize martial law operations, which they view as further evidence of his involvement in the insurrection. A brief order is defined as a concise operational directive that conveys changes in unit missions or tactical situations.Since its establishment on February 25, the Special Prosecutors' team has been investigating allegations of the Joint Chiefs of Staff leadership's involvement in the martial law implementation, designating it as their first major case.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-09 17:06:00

Hanyang Cyber University and Hanyang Women's University Collaborate to Support Youth Employment and Entrepreneurship Hanyang Cyber University (President Lee Gi-jeong) announced that its Career Development Center has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the University Job Plus Center at Hanyang Women's University (President Na Se-ri) to support youth employment and entrepreneurship and establish regional governance. The agreement, signed on June 8 at Hanyang Women's University, aims to enhance youth employment in Seongdong-gu by leveraging the unique capabilities of both institutions as the only operational hubs in the area. The MOU emphasizes the integration of Hanyang Cyber University's remote education infrastructure and expertise with the offline resources of Hanyang Women's University's Job Plus Center. As a result of this partnership, Hanyang Women's University will be able to utilize its established career and employment content through Hanyang Cyber University's online system, allowing local youth and students who face challenges attending in-person events to access high-quality employment support services easily. Under the agreement, the two institutions will collaborate on various initiatives, including promoting youth employment and entrepreneurship programs, sharing and cross-utilizing existing career and employment content developed by Hanyang Women's University, jointly hosting high-cost programs such as employment consulting and job fairs, and sharing a pool of alumni instructors from diverse fields. Jo Jun-ho, head of the University Job Plus Center at Hanyang Women's University, stated, "We will develop a model of exemplary cooperation by integrating the excellent infrastructures of both universities and provide practical employment services to students and local youth." Kim Ji-hyun, head of the Career Development Center at Hanyang Cyber University, also noted, "Through our partnership with Hanyang Women's University, we will expand employment support programs and actively assist youth in their job searches through joint initiatives." The most significant expected outcome of this MOU is the organic combination of Hanyang Cyber University's remote education infrastructure and Hanyang Women's University's offline Job Plus Center. This will allow for the cross-utilization of high-quality career and employment content, enabling local youth and students who are balancing work and study or cannot participate in face-to-face events to easily access superior employment support services. Additionally, the two institutions plan to jointly host and operate high-cost, high-efficiency programs like employment consulting and large-scale job fairs, which are challenging to organize individually. This collaboration is expected to maximize budget efficiency and enhance the quality of programs. The practical cooperation of sharing a diverse pool of alumni instructors from various fields is also noteworthy. Mentoring and job training from experienced alumni active in various industries will provide practical guidelines for youth preparing for employment and entrepreneurship. This multifaceted collaboration is anticipated to serve as a model for improving the youth employment environment in the broader Seongdong-gu community, going beyond mere exchanges between the two universities. It aims to increase the success rate of youth in employment and entrepreneurship, helping them settle in the local community and ultimately fostering promising startups and revitalizing the local economy. Meanwhile, Hanyang Cyber University is currently recruiting new students for the second semester of the 2026 academic year. Graduate programs for master's and doctoral degrees are open for applications from May 18 to June 19, while undergraduate new and transfer students can apply from June 1 to July 16 through the university's admissions support center website.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-09 17:03:00

Germany courts Samsung, SK hynix for Eastern Germany semiconductor hub SEOUL, June 09 (AJP) - Germany is actively wooing South Korean semiconductor giants, including Samsung Electronics and SK hynix, to invest in its eastern region, pitching its robust microelectronics and photonics ecosystem as a key to global supply chain resilience. During an investment briefing hosted at The Plaza Hotel Seoul on Tuesday, Elisabeth Kaiser, Minister of State to the Minister of the Federal Ministry of Finance and Federal Government Commissioner for Eastern Germany, emphasized the strategic potential for bilateral synergy. "By establishing modern semiconductor manufacturing in Eastern Germany, we can combine Korea's technological strength with Germany as an industrial and research hub," Kaiser said. Noting that companies like Samsung Electronics, SK hynix, and Samsung Foundry set global standards in process and design technologies, she added that closer cooperation could accelerate the pace of innovation on both sides. The push aligns with Europe's broader goal of achieving technological sovereignty amid growing global uncertainties. Kaiser highlighted that such investments are not only economically attractive but also make a critical contribution to the stability of global supply chains. German officials also underscored the foundational role their domestic optics industry plays in the advanced semiconductor value chain. German Ambassador to South Korea Georg Wilfried Schmidt pointed out the complexities of the supply chain, noting that leading semiconductor equipment manufacturers like ASML rely heavily on German photonics and optical precision components, such as those from ZEISS. Dr. Roman Kleindienst, head of the Microoptics business unit at ZEISS, echoed this sentiment during a subsequent panel discussion. Highlighting current limitations in semiconductor data transfer, Kleindienst stated that the bottleneck "can only be resolved by optics". "Investing in optics and photonics is really investing in resilience and in the future," Kleindienst added. The event, co-hosted by Germany Trade and Invest (GTAI), the State Development Corporation of Thuringia (LEG Thüringen), and the Korean-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KGCCI), aimed to showcase Eastern Germany—particularly the state of Thuringia—as a specialized, innovation-driven springboard for Korean high-tech firms seeking to expand their European footprint. 2026-06-09 17:02:38