10 Million Fans: A Comprehensive Guide to Benefits for KBO Baseball Fans Despite the early heat exceeding 30 degrees Celsius, the excitement for professional baseball remains high. After surpassing 10 million spectators in both 2024 and 2025, the league continues to thrive this year, with attendance exceeding 5 million in the fewest games ever played. As more fans flock to the ballparks, interest in team-affiliated credit cards that ease the burden of ticket and food costs is growing. According to Card Gorilla, a credit card platform, Shinhan Bank has introduced partnership cards with the LG Twins and Hanwha Eagles. The 'LG Twins Shinhan Card' offers a 3,000 won discount for home game tickets purchased at the venue or online, available once per day with no limit during the regular season. The 'Hanwha Eagles Shinhan Card' provides a 5,000 won discount on home game tickets up to three times a month, depending on the previous month's spending. Samsung Card's 'Samsung Lions Card' offers a 50% discount on tickets for Samsung Lions home games and a 50% discount at the team store. Fans can also enjoy a 10% discount at food and beverage outlets in Daegu Samsung Lions Park, making it easier to enjoy 'Yafu' (baseball food) at the game. Additionally, the card includes a 5% discount on train fares (KTX and SRT), catering to traveling fans. NH Nonghyup Card's 'NC Dinos Card' provides a 2,000 won discount on one ticket for NC Dinos games, with the same benefit available for one accompanying person, without any spending requirements. The same benefits apply to the debit card. IBK Industrial Bank's 'Cham! Good kt wiz Card' offers a 3,000 won discount on one ticket per day for admission to Suwon KT Wiz Park, with no monthly limit. Gwangju Bank's 'Kia Champions Card' provides a 2,500 won discount on-site for home game tickets without prior spending requirements, along with a 2,500 won cashback, totaling a 5,000 won discount. Discounts at the team store require a minimum purchase of 50,000 won for a 10% cashback. KB Kookmin Card's 'Doosan Bears KB Card' offers specialized discounts for Doosan Bears fans, including 50% off home game tickets and merchandise, and 20% off food and beverages at the home stadium. Lotte Card's 'LOCA in MEGACITY' provides discounts for Lotte Giants fans and is tailored for the Busan, Ulsan, and Gyeongnam regions, offering benefits for tickets, offline shopping, and online shopping. While SSG Landers and Kiwoom Heroes do not have official partnership cards, fans can still receive benefits through ticketing platforms like PLCC. SSG Landers has changed its ticketing platform to SSG.COM this year, where using the 'SSG.COM Samsung Card' after meeting spending requirements can earn fans up to 10% in SSG Money on ticket purchases. Kiwoom Heroes' official ticketing platform is NOL Ticket, where using the Hyundai Card 'NOL Card' earns 10% in points on the purchase amount. Go Seung-hoon, CEO of Card Gorilla, stated, "As the popularity of professional baseball continues, official partnership cards from all 10 teams are being launched. With benefits ranging from ticket discounts to merchandise and food, these cards are ideal for frequent attendees of baseball games."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-06 07:03:00

Nation Commemorates Memorial Day with Ceremonies Across the Country "We will remember, record, and fulfill our responsibilities." The government will hold the 71st Memorial Day ceremony on June 6 at the National Cemetery in Dongjak-gu, Seoul, honoring those who sacrificed their lives for the nation and its people. This year’s ceremony, themed "Remember, Record, and Fulfill Our Responsibilities," will feature special guests including families of victims from the Gapyung Army helicopter crash and relatives of those whose remains were recovered from the Korean War. The ceremony will begin with a national tribute, followed by a nationwide moment of silence at 10 AM, marked by a siren. The pledge of allegiance will be read by Choi Il-sang, a gold medalist from the 2016 Paralympic Games. The mother of Lee Jae-seok, a coast guard officer who died while rescuing an elderly person stranded in the mudflats of Yeongheung Island last September, will read a letter expressing her longing for her son. Certificates of national merit will also be awarded in the name of the President to four individuals, including the family of Lee Jae-seok, veterans, and families of disabled veterans. The Ministry of Veterans Affairs announced that this year’s Memorial Day ceremony will be open to the public without invitations, aiming to create a space for collective remembrance and reflection. Minister Kwon Oh-eul stated, "The freedom and prosperity that South Korea enjoys today are possible only because of those who sacrificed their lives for the country. I hope this Memorial Day ceremony serves as a meaningful opportunity to remember the noble spirit and values of our heroes who dedicated everything for the nation, transcending generations and ideologies, and to reflect on the significance of national unity through veterans' affairs." In Wonju, Gangwon Province, a ceremony will also be held on June 6 at the Memorial Tower Square to honor the sacrifices and dedication of the fallen heroes. The ceremony will begin with a moment of silence at 10 AM, followed by a national tribute, flower offerings, incense burning, and commemorative speeches. Approximately 1,000 attendees, including veterans, their families, student representatives, and citizens, are expected to participate. The 36th Infantry Division, the 108th Brigade of the 36th Infantry Division, the 1st Logistics Support Command, and the Sangji University ROTC will support the event, uniting civilians and military personnel in remembrance. On June 5, the Tongyeong Coast Guard held a ceremony at the Chungheon Tower in Mujun-dong, Tongyeong City, to honor the spirits of the fallen heroes. During the ceremony, the Tongyeong Coast Guard reflected on the noble sacrifice of those who dedicated themselves to the nation and its people through flower offerings, incense burning, and a moment of silence. They also visited the bust of the late Officer Jeong Ho-jong, located at the Tongyeong Rescue Team site, to reaffirm their commitment to their mission and responsibilities. Officer Jeong died in June 2022 while rescuing two divers trapped in a cave near Hongdo in Tongyeong. In Seoul, a running crew made up of police officers from the Hyehwa, Dongjak, Seocho, and Bangbae precincts, known as KNPR (Korean National Police Runners), will host a 6.6 km run on June 6 at 8:30 AM, starting from the Yeobit Island in Banpo Hangang Park and ending near the National Cemetery in Dongjak-gu. All registration fees will be donated to the 'Chamsoori Love Foundation,' which supports the families of fallen officers and injured police personnel. This event, which began in 2024, marks its third year, with around 100 participants expected, including about 50 citizens and 50 police officers. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-06 06:03:00

Film 'Summer Palace' Explores Youth Living with the Scars of 1989 This year marks the 37th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square incident, which occurred on June 4, 1989, when the Chinese government violently suppressed students and citizens demanding democracy in Beijing's Tiananmen Square. Human rights organizations estimate that thousands lost their lives during the crackdown. However, the Chinese government has never officially acknowledged the event, referring to it only as a "political turmoil that occurred in the late 1980s." As June 4 approaches each year, online censorship in China intensifies. Terms like '六四' (June 4) and 'Tiananmen' are heavily monitored, along with related images, videos, and music. This year, posts containing words such as '89', '64', and 'tank' have reportedly been deleted in large numbers. Some users have shared experiences of being unable to send 64 yuan via WeChat or share Taylor Swift's album '1989' on their WeChat Moments. The term 'June 4' remains a taboo in Chinese society, making it rare to find films that directly address the Tiananmen Square incident. One of the most well-known works is Lou Ye's 2006 film 'Summer Palace' (original title: 頤和園). Set against the backdrop of the politically tumultuous period surrounding the Tiananmen Square incident, the film captures the love, confusion, and struggles of a generation of college students. The story begins when the protagonist, Yu Hong, receives his admission letter to a fictional university combining Beijing University and Tsinghua University, while arriving in Beijing from a rural area. He experiences a cultural shock from the dormitory's co-ed living, smoking, and the liberal sexual culture of youth. Here, Yu Hong falls passionately in love with Zhou Wei. However, as pro-democracy protests spread across the university, their relationship becomes fraught with jealousy, betrayal, anxiety, and obsession. The characters eventually leave Beijing, each carrying their own scars. Yet, the memories of 1989 continue to haunt them, leading their lives into deeper despair. The film's original title, 'Summer Palace,' refers to the summer retreat of Empress Dowager Cixi during the late Qing Dynasty, a place where the empire's glory and decline coexist. In the film, the most beautiful moments for Yu Hong and Zhou Wei take place by the Summer Palace's lake. Lou Ye has described the scene where the protagonists row a boat as their most beautiful moment. The Summer Palace serves not just as a backdrop but as a symbolic location throughout the film, representing a stage for love that once existed but can never be returned to, a lost paradise of youth. In past interviews, Lou Ye stated, "This film is ultimately a story about love." He likened the relationship between students and the government in 1989 to an act of love, suggesting that both sides faced a painful and uncomfortable conclusion, with the government 'slapping' the students, referring to the military's violent suppression. He remarked, "They hit so hard that blood came from the cheek," adding that the government recognized it had gone too far and sought to make amends through rapid economic development over the next decade. From this perspective, Lou Ye noted that the June 4 incident resembles love and relationships, as life-altering events leave scars that affect one's entire existence. This explains why the characters in the film cannot escape their past even after leaving Beijing. While the term 'Tiananmen Square incident' does not appear in the film, it includes scenes depicting military repression and gunfire against students, along with actual footage of students waving placards during the protests, indirectly illustrating the horrors of the Tiananmen Square incident. The film gained international attention after being submitted to the Cannes Film Festival without approval from Chinese authorities. However, it was banned from screening in China, and Lou Ye received a five-year ban on filmmaking from the government. The film has sparked considerable controversy, particularly due to the repeated scenes of full nudity and explicit sexual content, leading some to question the director's intentions. Conversely, it has been widely recognized in the film industry as one of the works that deeply captures the confusion and loss experienced by the Chinese youth generation around 1989. Professor Lee Jeong-hoon from Seoul National University analyzed the film in a paper, stating, "The sexual acts in the film serve as a ritual for the protagonists to affirm their existence and a means of passionate communication between individuals." He further noted that while the protagonists once attempted to fulfill the historical mission assigned to youth by their era, they ultimately failed, resulting in a long-lasting legacy of scars and wandering. He described the process of interpreting the film as a reflection on the trauma that remains within characters who are mentally stuck in the period surrounding June 4. 2026-06-06 06:03:00

From PC cafés to pork belly: Inside Jensen Huang's unconventional Seoul summit SEOUL, June 05 (AJP) - Neon lights, the rapid clatter of keyboards in a bustling Hongdae PC café, and the unmistakable sizzle of meat hitting a hot grill—these are hardly the traditional backdrops for high-stakes tech diplomacy. Yet, on the evening of June 5, NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang traded the polished boardrooms of Silicon Valley for the vibrant, everyday rhythms of Seoul. Immersing himself first in South Korea's grassroots digital culture, Huang eventually made his way to "Hyungnim Jeoyo," a local pork belly restaurant, setting a distinctly grounded and intimate visual tone for the night ahead. By 7 p.m., the casual outing transformed into an unprecedented gathering of industry titans. Sharing the table and bonding over a traditional "samso"—pork belly paired with soju—were SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won, LG Group Chairman Koo Kwang-mo, and Naver founder Lee Hae-jin. This smoky, grill-side meeting echoed a similarly historic summit Huang held just seven months prior with Samsung and Hyundai leadership over fried chicken. The images that follow capture the candid, unbuttoned moments of this extraordinary evening, offering a rare glimpse into the personal, cross-cultural connections that are quietly shaping the future of global technology. 2026-06-05 22:54:20

NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang Hosts Dinner with South Korean Business Leaders On June 5, Jensen Huang, CEO of NVIDIA, visited a PC cafe in Hongdae before arriving at a pork belly restaurant called "Hyeongnim Jeoyo" around 7 p.m. for a dinner meeting with South Korean business leaders.This gathering marked the first meeting since last October's dinner with Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Jae-yong and Hyundai Motor Group Chairman Chung Eui-sun at a chicken restaurant. This time, Huang joined Chey Tae-won of SK Group, Koo Kwang-mo of LG Group, and Lee Hae-jin of Naver around the grill.Koo, Chey, and Lee arrived at the restaurant around 6:50 p.m., greeting each other and sharing drinks before Huang's arrival at approximately 7:10 p.m. Upon his arrival, a crowd of about 1,000 people gathered outside the restaurant to catch a glimpse of him.Although the meeting included top executives, the hierarchy was clear. The eldest was Chey Tae-won (66), followed by Huang (63), Lee (59), and the youngest, Koo (48), who actively took on the role of host. Koo helped set the table by laying out napkins and filling glasses, while also grilling pork belly at the table.During the meal, Koo remarked to reporters, "I grilled a lot of meat. I think I might be a bit tipsy."Huang appeared to fully enjoy the Korean dining experience. When Lee demonstrated how to wrap pork belly with kimchi in perilla leaves, Huang followed suit, wrapping his own and dipping it in sauce.The atmosphere peaked during the "bomb shot" segment. As the restaurant owner prepared a mix of soju and beer, Huang enthusiastically joined in, tapping the glasses with a spoon and leading cheers of "Go Korea! Go SK! Go LG! Go Naver!" to lift the spirits of those present.During the meal, Huang stepped outside to distribute snacks and HBM chips to citizens, stating, "I love HBM chips! We need more HBM!" Chey, while handing out HBM chips, expressed, "I feel like Santa Claus." Huang also embraced Koo, who had been busy grilling, saying, "He is a good friend."Huang praised Korean culture, saying, "Korean pork barbecue and chicken are the best in the world. Plus, K-pop is exciting, and K-dramas always move me to tears. Korea has always been kind to me and holds a special place in my heart."After the pork belly dinner, the group headed to a chicken restaurant around 9:30 p.m. As they arrived, another large crowd gathered, and around 10 p.m., Huang came out to distribute chicken to the waiting citizens, while Chey continued to share HBM chips with them. 2026-06-05 22:24:00

NVIDIA Begins Establishing AI Technology Center in South Korea NVIDIA Launches Recruitment for AI Technology Center in South Korea NVIDIA has begun recruitment for its AI technology center in South Korea. According to Yonhap News on June 5, NVIDIA recently posted a job opening for a Physical AI Solution Architect based in Seoul. The recruitment focuses on digital twins and robotics. The selected candidates will collaborate with key researchers from universities and joint research institutes on various projects and proof-of-concept tasks related to Physical AI. The role will support domestic university and corporate research teams in building virtual worlds using NVIDIA's Omniverse platform based on OpenUSD, generating synthetic data, simulating robots, and fine-tuning and deploying open humanoid foundation models. Candidates are required to hold a Ph.D. in a related field and have over five years of practical experience in digital twins and robotics. Academic research achievements and experience in collaboration among academia, industry, and government are preferred. The AI technology center will serve as a research and development facility where NVIDIA collaborates with local governments, universities, and businesses to develop core technologies and submit papers to international conferences. Similar centers are currently operating in countries like Singapore and the UK. If established in South Korea, it is expected to become a major global R&D hub. Prime Minister's Office Prepares for Upcoming Confirmation Hearing As speculation grows that President Lee Jae-myung will soon nominate a successor to Prime Minister Kim Min-seok, the Prime Minister's Office has reportedly formed a preparation team for the confirmation hearing. On June 5, Yonhap News reported that Kim Young-soo, the first deputy chief of the Office for Government Policy Coordination, will lead the team, which is expected to consist of about 30 members. The office will be located at the Financial Supervisory Service training center in Jongno-gu, Seoul. The prime ministerial nominee must undergo a confirmation hearing in the National Assembly and receive approval from the plenary session before being officially appointed. Kim's nomination took 29 days from nomination to appointment. However, the Prime Minister's Office issued a press release stating that reports regarding the formation of the preparation team are unfounded. Potential candidates to succeed Prime Minister Kim include Kang Hoon-sik, chief of staff to the president; Jeong Seong-ho, Minister of Justice; and Han Seong-sook, Minister of SMEs and Startups. UK's SMR Project Sparks 'Buy British' Controversy The UK aerospace and defense company Rolls-Royce has decided to assign key processes of its small modular reactor (SMR) project to a South Korean company, igniting a 'Buy British' debate within the UK. On June 5, Yonhap News cited the Financial Times, reporting that Rolls-Royce SMR signed a design contract in April with Great British Energy Nuclear to construct three SMRs in North Wales. It subsequently selected Doosan Enerbility as a strategic partner for the production of key equipment. This decision has drawn criticism in the UK for contradicting the principle of prioritizing domestic industry in public projects. The UK government aims to source 70% of the supply chain for the project from domestic products. Rolls-Royce has previously indicated that the British content in the SMR could reach as high as 78%. However, concerns have been raised that with South Korea handling key components, the UK may be relegated to producing relatively low-value parts. Political figures have also raised concerns. Liam Byrne, chair of the House of Commons Business and Trade Committee from the ruling Labour Party, plans to send a letter to ministers requesting clarification on whether this decision aligns with the government's policy of protecting domestic industry. Garreth Stace, director general of UK Steel, emphasized, "The revival of the UK nuclear sector should create opportunities for jobs and industrial capabilities within the UK." Protests Expand at Vote Counting Centers, Reaching 2,000 Participants Protesters who had previously blocked the second polling station in Jamsil, Songpa-gu, have now moved to the vote counting center, increasing their numbers. On June 5, Yonhap News reported that while police deployed over 1,000 officers to transport the ballot boxes, the protesters occupied the entrance of the counting center, preventing about 100 election commission staff, facility personnel, and journalists from leaving. The protesters gathered around the Handball Stadium in Olympic Park, starting with 300 in the morning and swelling to 2,000 by the afternoon. Although there are a total of eight entrances to the stadium, including the first and second floors, the protesters have effectively blocked all access points. Even after the counting was completed, access remained restricted, forcing some staff to exit through windows. The protesters allowed movement only after verifying identities and reportedly intensified controls on certain media outlets. The protesters are demanding a re-election, claiming they cannot accept the counting results. They are encouraging further gatherings through related online channels. Earlier, the second polling station in Jamsil had extended its closing time due to a shortage of ballots on the day of the June 3 local elections, leading to a delay of about 35 hours in transporting the ballot boxes to the counting center after the protesters blocked their removal. Police deployed approximately 1,000 riot officers that day to disperse the protesters and secure the ballot boxes. Russia Confirms Putin Received Zelensky's Letter on Peace Talks Russian President Vladimir Putin has received a letter from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky regarding discussions on a peace proposal, according to Russia on June 5. On June 5, Yonhap News reported that Dmitry Peskov, spokesperson for the Kremlin, stated in an interview with the daily Izvestia that "a written report was delivered yesterday (June 4), and the media reports were also conveyed to the president." President Putin has reviewed the contents of the letter, and Peskov mentioned that the relevant topics are likely to be discussed at the SPIEF plenary session that day. However, he refrained from providing a direct response regarding Putin's reaction, stating, "I do not want to get ahead of myself." The day before, President Zelensky publicly urged President Putin to engage in direct talks to end the war in a letter he sent. Former President Donald Trump expressed support for this, stating, "We need to meet and get things done." Peskov expressed hope for the resumption of stalled peace negotiations, noting that communication with the U.S. continues through existing channels. He pointed out inconsistencies in statements from the White House but acknowledged that President Trump genuinely wishes for a resolution to the situation. Additionally, Peskov mentioned in an interview with RIA Novosti that there is a "theoretical 50%" chance that a summit between President Putin and President Trump could take place this summer, stating it could happen or not. Seoul Southern District Prosecutors' Office Clears Allegations of Evidence Tampering The Seoul Southern District Prosecutors' Office has concluded its investigation into the so-called "evidence tampering allegations" with a decision of no charges. On June 5, Yonhap News reported that the Southern District Prosecutors' Office announced in a press release that "there was no evidence to support claims that the individuals responsible for seized items intentionally damaged or disposed of the evidence and systematically concealed it." This conclusion aligns with the findings of the Supreme Prosecutors' Office and the special investigation team led by Ahn Kwon-seop, which determined that while there were operational errors, they did not warrant criminal charges. The allegations of evidence tampering arose during a search and seizure operation at the home of Jeon Seong-bae, known as the "Gunjin Law Master," in December 2024. During the operation, cash bundles worth approximately 50 million won, including Bank of Korea evidence seals, were secured, but it was later revealed that the inspection information attached to the cash had gone missing during the prosecution phase. The Supreme Prosecutors' Office concluded that while there were operational oversights, there was no evidence of organized concealment from higher-ups. The special investigation team also confirmed deficiencies in the documentation of seized items but found no objective evidence to substantiate the allegations. The special investigation team effectively concluded that there were "no charges" in March and referred the case to the prosecution. After approximately three months of additional review, the Southern District Prosecutors' Office stated, "After a thorough examination of the records referred by the special investigation team, we found the conclusion to be valid and no evidence to support the allegations, leading to this disposition." However, since the allegations originated from the Southern District Prosecutors' Office, there may be controversy over the "self-exoneration" decision. JTBC Journalists Announce Legal Action After Assault by Protesters The JTBC chapter of the Korean Journalist Association has announced plans to take legal action after some protesters, claiming election fraud, assaulted its reporters during the June 3 local elections. On June 5, Yonhap News reported that the JTBC chapter issued a statement saying, "An unprecedented situation occurred where protesters claiming election fraud confined and assaulted JTBC reporters." They called for severe punishment for the perpetrators. The journalists reported that while covering the counting situation at the Handball Stadium in Olympic Park, the protesters surrounded the entire venue and blocked the entrances, forcing them to escape through windows due to safety concerns. They claimed that when a reporter exited through a window, the protesters demanded identification and aggressively obstructed their movement, physically surrounding them. The JTBC chapter stated that they have secured footage of the incident and plan to pursue legal action against the assailants. They are also considering legal measures against the public disclosure of journalists' personal information and the spread of false information via social media. The JTBC chapter emphasized, "Violence against journalists is an infringement on press freedom and the public's right to know," calling it a significant threat to the foundations of democracy.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-05 22:03:00

Korean Minister Kim Jong-kwan: U.S. Commerce Secretary Says Not to Worry About Section 301 Tariffs Korean Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Kim Jong-kwan stated that U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick reassured him not to worry about potential increases in tariffs due to the Section 301 investigation by the Trump administration. This investigation raised concerns that Korea's tariff burden could exceed the agreed 15% between the two countries last year. In an appearance on MBN News Wide on June 5, Kim explained details of his video meeting with Lutnick on June 3. "I was worried, but Secretary Lutnick said not to worry. He indicated that the originally agreed 15% would remain in place," Kim said. He added, "This is part of our ongoing investment projects in the U.S., which were built on mutual trust between the two leaders. We discussed how to ensure these efforts succeed." Earlier, on June 2, the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) announced the results of its Section 301 investigation related to forced labor, warning of new tariffs affecting 60 countries. Among these, 45 countries, including Korea, China, and Japan, could face a 12.5% tariff, while 14 countries and the European Union are expected to see a 10% tariff. However, concerns have been raised that the final tariff rates could exceed 15% as the Trump administration plans to release additional findings related to overproduction. Last year, Korea agreed to invest $350 billion (approximately 540 trillion won) in the U.S. in exchange for reducing mutual tariffs from 25% to 15%. However, the mutual tariff based on the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) was ruled invalid by the U.S. Supreme Court this year. In response, the Trump administration announced a 10% global tariff based on Trade Act Section 122, which is set to expire in July. The administration is planning to impose new tariffs based on Section 301 as a replacement. Regarding Korea's investment in the U.S., Kim mentioned, "We will launch the U.S. Investment Corporation on June 18. We are currently having extensive discussions among our teams to determine if this project is viable and mutually beneficial for both countries." He emphasized, "I believe the trust built over the past year, especially between the two leaders, remains strong. We are continuously discussing strategic mutual benefits and ensuring the commercial viability of these projects." Meanwhile, when asked about this year's export outlook, Kim stated, "I officially expect our exports to exceed $900 billion this year. We are currently ranked around seventh in exports, but we aim to break into the top five." 2026-06-05 22:00:00

JTBC Journalists Report Assault by Protesters Claiming Election Fraud The JTBC branch of the Korean Journalists Association announced plans for legal action after some protesters, rallying against a shortage of ballots during the June 3 local elections, assaulted reporters. According to Yonhap News on June 5, the JTBC branch stated in a press release, "An unprecedented situation occurred where protesters claiming election fraud confined and assaulted JTBC reporters," urging for severe punishment for the perpetrators. The statement continued, "While covering the vote counting at the Olympic Park handball arena, the protesters surrounded the venue and blocked the entrances, forcing reporters to escape through windows due to safety concerns." It was also reported that the protesters threatened a reporter attempting to exit through a window, demanding identification and physically restricting their movement. The JTBC branch confirmed it has secured footage of the incident and intends to pursue legal measures against those involved. Additionally, the branch is considering legal action against the public disclosure of reporters' personal information and the spread of false information via social media. The JTBC branch emphasized, "Violence against journalists is an infringement on press freedom and the public's right to know," calling it a serious threat to the foundations of democracy.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-05 21:57:00

U.S. Nonfarm Jobs Surge by 172,000 in May, Heightening Rate Hike Expectations The U.S. nonfarm payrolls saw a surprising increase of 172,000 jobs in May, nearly double the expected growth, indicating resilience in the economy despite ongoing conflicts in the Middle East. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, nonfarm employment rose by 172,000 in May, significantly surpassing the forecast of 85,000. Additionally, the April nonfarm employment figure was revised upward from an initial increase of 115,000 to 179,000, while March's figure was adjusted from 185,000 to 214,000. The unemployment rate in May remained steady at 4.3%, consistent with both the forecast and the previous month. Despite rising prices linked to the Middle East conflict, the U.S. economy continues to show strength, reducing the likelihood of an economic slowdown and increasing the chances of an interest rate hike. Following the release of the employment data, the yield on 30-year U.S. Treasury bonds surpassed 5%. The CME FedWatch Tool, which tracks market expectations for Federal Reserve interest rate changes, indicated that the probability of a 0.25 percentage point rate increase by the end of the year rose from 38.2% to 41.2%, while the likelihood of a 0.50 percentage point increase increased from 10.9% to 14.4%. Bloomberg reported that the strong employment figures have heightened expectations that the Federal Reserve will raise interest rates by the end of the year. 2026-06-05 21:45:00

Seoul Southern District Prosecutors Office Closes Investigation into Discarded Banknote Bands Seoul Southern District Prosecutors Office has concluded its investigation into the so-called "discarded banknote bands" case without filing charges.On June 5, Yonhap News reported that the Southern District Prosecutors Office announced, "There is no evidence to suggest that those responsible for the seized items intentionally damaged or discarded the banknote bands and systematically concealed evidence."This conclusion aligns with earlier assessments from the Supreme Prosecutors' Office and the special investigation team led by Ahn Kwon-seop, which determined that while there were operational errors, they did not warrant criminal prosecution.The controversy over the discarded banknote bands originated in December 2024 during a search of the residence of Jeon Seong-bae, known as "Geonjinbeopsa." Cash bundles worth approximately 50 million won were seized, but it was later revealed that the bands and stickers containing inspection information attached to the banknotes were lost during the prosecution's handling of the case.The Supreme Prosecutors' Office acknowledged operational negligence through its internal review and investigation but found no evidence of organized concealment by higher-ups. The special investigation team also confirmed deficiencies in the documentation of seized items but could not find objective evidence to support any charges. In March, the team effectively concluded that there were no grounds for charges and referred the case to the prosecution.After approximately three months of additional review, the Southern District Prosecutors Office stated, "After closely examining the records referred by the special investigation team, we found the conclusion to be valid and determined that there was no evidence to support the allegations." However, since the allegations originated from the Southern District Prosecutors Office, there are concerns about potential controversy regarding a "self-exoneration" decision.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-05 21:33:00