NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang Offers Bold Remarks on South Korea NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang has delivered striking messages aimed at South Korea. On June 2, Huang spoke with South Korean reporters during the Korea Partner Night event at the NVIDIA annual technology exhibition, GTC Taipei 2026, held at the Taipei Music Center in Taiwan. Huang stated, "If South Korea wants, we can hold NVIDIA's flagship event, GTC, in Korea," while also specifically mentioning robotics as a potential area for future investment in the country. Industry experts interpret this not merely as a friendly gesture but as a signal that NVIDIA views South Korea as a key hub for the AI semiconductor and robotics ecosystem. "Huang: GTC Could Be Held in South Korea If Desired" GTC is the largest AI and semiconductor technology event hosted by NVIDIA, showcasing the latest AI chips, data centers, robotics, autonomous driving, and AI agent technology roadmaps. It is often referred to as the "WWDC of the AI industry." If GTC is indeed held in South Korea, it would symbolize the country's recognition as a central player in NVIDIA's global AI strategy, beyond just attracting a conference. Currently, GTC events are primarily held in the United States and Taiwan, with opportunities largely limited to countries that are key players in the AI supply chain. "Investment in South Korea Always Under Review, Focus on Robotics" ​​​​​​​ Huang's comments regarding investment drew particular attention. When asked about NVIDIA's investment plans in South Korea, Huang replied, "Investments in South Korea are always under consideration," noting that the country has excellent infrastructure and outstanding companies. He specifically identified robotics as a promising area for collaboration. He emphasized, "Robotics is a very important industry for South Korea," expressing hope that NVIDIA can contribute to the development of the country's robotics sector. Huang also highlighted South Korea's declining workforce issue, explaining that AI and robotics could maximize the country's economic potential. "Next Frontier: Physical AI" ​​​​​​​ Market analysts believe Huang's remarks about robotics are linked to NVIDIA's emphasis on its "Physical AI" strategy. Physical AI refers to technology where AI interacts directly with real-world machines, robots, factories, and logistics systems. During his visit to South Korea, Huang is expected to hold a private roundtable with local robotics startups and researchers, discussing ways to expand collaboration with companies utilizing NVIDIA's robotics platform. Potential Benefits for South Korean Companies? Following Huang's comments on robotics, South Korean robotics stocks have shown strong performance. Companies like Doosan Robotics and Robostar have experienced significant surges. Additionally, there are expectations that as NVIDIA's interest in robotics expands, companies such as LG Electronics, Hyundai Motor Group, and Naver could benefit in their AI and robotics ventures. However, these are industry forecasts, and no specific investment or collaboration plans have been officially announced. Meanwhile, Huang is scheduled to meet with prominent business leaders in South Korea this week, including Chey Tae-won, chairman of SK Group; Koo Kwang-mo, chairman of LG Group; and Lee Hae-jin, chairman of Naver's board.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-02 20:42:00

Democratic Party Urges Support for Seoul Mayor Candidate Jung Won-o to Strengthen Lee Government The Democratic Party is urging voters to support Jung Won-o for Seoul mayor to ensure the success of President Lee Jae-myung's administration, while also calling for the defeat of People Power Party candidate Oh Se-hoon. Jung Cheong-rae, the party leader, emphasized that "this election is about empowering President Lee." Speaking at Jung's final campaign rally in Cheonggye Plaza, Jung stated, "We need to elect a Democratic mayor, a Democratic president, and Democratic district heads to ensure they work in harmony." He further appealed for support, saying, "Winning in Seoul is crucial for winning nationwide." He warned that failing to eliminate the remnants of insurrection could lead to a resurgence of corruption and political turmoil in South Korea. Democratic lawmakers have united in support of Jung's candidacy. Park Jumin, who competed against Jung in the party's primary, joined him at the rally. Park has been actively campaigning for Jung as part of a special support team composed of candidates who lost in the primary. Park stated, "If there are issues with housing, public transport, and welfare in Seoul, who should be replaced? We must remove Oh Se-hoon, who has ruined Seoul, and elect Jung Won-o to develop the city alongside President Lee's government." Seo Young-kyo, chair of the Legal Affairs Committee, referenced allegations against Oh regarding campaign financing and declared, "I will take the lead in the trial against Oh Se-hoon. Please ensure Jung Won-o is elected." Han Jeong-ae, chair of the policy committee, noted, "The KOSPI is rising and exports are strong, but these benefits must come through the Seoul city government. It is outrageous for a mayor to obstruct the work of President Lee, who is serving the people." Former National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-sik remarked, "The insurrection is not over yet. I pushed for constitutional amendments to prevent illegal martial law, and seeing the People Power Party oppose this makes me worry that if they gain power, chaos will return. That is why I am here to support Jung, who has proven his capabilities in Seongdong-gu. President Lee has shown how effective he can be, having served as mayor of Seongnam, governor of Gyeonggi Province, and now as president." 2026-06-02 20:42:00

Police Intensify Investigation into Seosomun Overpass Collapse Police investigating the Seosomun overpass collapse have begun a thorough inquiry into the construction company involved in the demolition work. According to Yonhap News on June 2, the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency's special investigation unit summoned representatives from Heung-Hwa, the construction firm responsible for the demolition, for questioning. This marks one week since both the police and the Ministry of Employment and Labor launched their investigations following the collapse. During the questioning, investigators are expected to focus on how the demolition work has been conducted, the safety management systems implemented by the construction company, and the circumstances surrounding the incident on the day of the collapse. The police also plan to summon officials from the oversight firm, Seong Engineering, later this week. Additionally, arrangements are being made to question the site manager and safety officers from Heung-Hwa's subcontractors. Four safety management personnel from Heung-Hwa have already been charged with negligent homicide in connection with the incident. Park Jeong-bo, the chief of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, stated at a briefing the previous day, "We are meticulously analyzing the materials obtained from the site inspection and search warrants to determine whether those charged bear any responsibility for the fatal incident." As the police continue to investigate the structural issues that may have led to the overpass collapse, there are speculations that the inquiry could expand to include officials from the Seoul city government, who are currently considered witnesses.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-02 20:30:00

Court Hears Motion to Lift Travel Ban on Moss Tan Amid Defamation Investigation A court hearing was held on June 2 to determine whether to suspend a travel ban on Moss Tan, a professor at Liberty University, who is under police investigation for allegedly defaming President Lee Jae-myung. Tan did not attend the hearing. According to Yonhap News, Tan's legal representatives requested the Seoul Administrative Court to lift the travel ban, arguing that the right to freedom of movement is constitutionally protected. Attorney Lee Ha-sang, representing Tan, claimed that the travel ban was flawed both substantively and procedurally, leading to irreparable harm. He stated, "To restrict travel based on a lack of specific evidence regarding the purpose of travel is an unconstitutional assertion," adding that they would provide supporting documents if necessary. In contrast, the Ministry of Justice argued that the travel ban should remain in effect. A representative from the ministry stated, "Tan's side claims he needs to travel for lectures in the U.S., but they have not substantiated the specific purpose or timing of his travel. Vague assertions of necessity do not prove irreparable harm." The representative further noted that while Tan claims to be cooperating with investigators, he appears to be refusing to attend without legitimate reasons, suggesting that the request should be denied. Tan, who served as the U.S. Department of State's International Criminal Justice Ambassador during the Trump administration, has stirred controversy by alleging that China interfered in South Korea's elections and that President Lee had been incarcerated as a youth. The police, who charged Tan with defamation last July, requested his attendance after he announced plans to monitor and verify alleged election fraud in South Korea ahead of the June 3 local elections. After Tan submitted a notice of absence, the police applied for the travel ban to the Ministry of Justice, prompting Tan to file a lawsuit to cancel the ban along with a request for a stay. The travel ban refers to restrictions placed on foreigners preventing them from leaving the country. A hearing for the main lawsuit filed by Tan's side to cancel the travel ban is scheduled for June 10.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-02 20:24:00

Oh Se-hoon Launches Final Campaign Push Ahead of Local Elections Oh Se-hoon, the People Power Party candidate for Seoul mayor, launched a final campaign push on June 2, one day before the local elections. He was joined by Na Kyung-won, a party lawmaker, and Shin Dong-wook, a party leader, at a rally held at Namseong Market in Seocho-gu. During the rally, Oh emphasized the need to hold the Lee Jae-myung administration accountable. He remarked on the poor sound quality of the microphone at the start of his speech, saying, "It must have been frustrating for you that the microphone wasn’t working. If we don’t make President Lee Jae-myung wake up this time, we will face two more years of frustrating situations like this until the next general election." Oh pledged, "If I am elected, I will ensure that I play a key role in correcting real estate policies during the first week of my new term at the Cabinet meeting." He appealed for support from residents of Dongjak and Seocho, urging them to vote for him to secure a decisive victory, saying, "Please help me win overwhelmingly, as one in a hundred, one in a thousand." Na Kyung-won also spoke at the rally, stating, "The incompetence of the Lee Jae-myung administration has reached its peak. You must judge them." Meanwhile, Oh continued his final offensive against Democratic Party candidate Jung Won-oh. Speaking to reporters at a previous rally in Yangcheon-gu, he criticized Jung for raising safety issues, claiming it was a strategy to distract from his lack of vision and policy shortcomings. Earlier in the day, at Hyochang Park, Oh called for Jung's resignation, stating, "Jung has evaded the debate and has been running away. I believe that alone should be enough for him to be evaluated. If he wants to manage Seoul, he must create a platform for self-verification. Jung has lost his qualifications and is unprepared. He should resign now, labeling all unfavorable comments as 'negative campaigning.'" On the same day, Oh began his campaign in Yeouido, Yeongdeungpo-gu, and continued a relay tour through Yongsan-gu, Mapo-gu, Jung-gu, Eunpyeong-gu, Gangseo-gu, Yangcheon-gu, Guro-gu, Geumcheon-gu, Gwanak-gu, and Dongjak-gu to gather support. He will conclude his campaign with a final rally at Sinchon Star Square in Seodaemun-gu and engage with citizens in Gwanghwamun Square, the Garden of Gratitude, and Jongno's Youth Street afterward. 2026-06-02 20:24:00

Controversy Erupts Over Jeong Won-o's Resume as Seoul Mayor Candidate A debate has erupted regarding the resume of Jeong Won-o, the Democratic Party's candidate for Seoul mayor. Recently, a comment posted on a real estate community website drew attention to Jeong's background. The commenter, identified as A, stated, "Out of curiosity, I searched for his resume on a portal site and burst into laughter at the endless list of impressive credentials." A detailed Jeong's background, noting he was born in Yeosu, served as vice president of the student council at the University of Seoul, held various roles including chief secretary to a district mayor, aide to lawmaker Im Jong-seok, head of the Roh Moo-hyun campaign, deputy spokesperson for the Democratic Party, director of the Seongdong Urban Management Corporation, and has been elected three times as the district mayor of Seongdong. A pointed out, "The glaring fact is that he has never received a salary from the cold, hard capitalist market in the private sector." A characterized Jeong as a "perfect born-to-be politician," stating, "From his college days in his twenties to now in his fifties, he has only filled his plate through student movements, party activities, and local governments funded by taxes. If they argue that competing for power in their own league is a form of social life, I have nothing to say, but it is light-years away from the ordinary social life we know, filled with commuting hell and performance pressure." A also critically interpreted the characteristics of politicians who have built their careers primarily through student movements, party activities, and public office, claiming that many mainstream Democratic Party politicians share similar backgrounds. A asserted, "The resumes of mainstream Democratic politicians, aside from a few exceptional cases or those appointed in this administration, are eerily similar to Jeong's. The only experiences they can list on their resumes are struggles, chairmanships, aides, and campaign managers. Which private company would welcome them? Therefore, when they enter the election arena, they literally fight for their lives. They resort to smear campaigns, incitement, flip-flopping, and shameless tactics. Even if they are criticized, they never back down..." Meanwhile, the debate over politicians' 'social experience' has been ongoing in the political arena for some time. Some argue that individuals who have gained political expertise through student movements, civic groups, party activities, and staff roles are well-equipped for policy-making. In contrast, others criticize politicians lacking experience in private enterprises, self-employment, or industrial fields, suggesting they may not fully understand the realities of the economy and citizens' lives. Recently, discussions about whether 'career politicians' or 'politicians with social experience' are more suitable have been actively taking place online, transcending party lines.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-02 20:03:00

Government Selects 30 Key Agricultural and Rural Normalization Tasks The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs announced on June 2 that it has adopted 30 key normalization tasks for the agricultural and rural sectors, including a comprehensive land survey and cooperative reform. The ministry plans to continue identifying additional normalization tasks in the coming phases to actively address longstanding challenges in the agricultural and rural fields. On the same day, the ministry held a meeting of the "Task Force for Agricultural and Rural Normalization" at the aT Center in Seoul. Since launching the task force in April, the ministry has operated sector-specific teams and conducted workshops for civil servants, uncovering a total of 104 improvement tasks for the agricultural and rural sectors. During the meeting, the ministry confirmed 30 normalization tasks, which include five cases of exploiting legal loopholes, 16 outdated laws and regulations, six laws that are disconnected from public sentiment, and three cases of potential unjust enrichment. To prevent exploitation of legal loopholes, the ministry highlighted the need for a comprehensive land survey and cooperative reform. It plans to take strict action against illegal activities based on the survey results while also pursuing effective institutional improvements. Additionally, the ministry aims to strengthen internal and external checks on cooperatives and reform election systems to ensure they fulfill their primary roles. To improve outdated laws and regulations, the ministry will revise policies to recognize young farmers renting their parents' land and facilities as independent operators eligible for agricultural settlement support. Furthermore, it plans to expand the introduction of foreign seasonal workers, which was previously limited to cities and counties, to autonomous districts within metropolitan areas. In addressing laws that are disconnected from public sentiment, the ministry will actively collaborate with other departments to tackle issues related to public safety, such as prohibiting drunk driving of agricultural vehicles like tractors and cultivators. To prevent unjust enrichment, the ministry intends to ensure that the benefits of tariff quotas for sugar are directed to actual consumers by shifting the focus of quota recommendations to genuine demand-driven companies. The ministry aims to quickly produce results from the normalization tasks, led by the Agricultural Industry Policy Planning Division, while accelerating the identification of subsequent tasks. Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Song Mi-ryung stated, "We will thoroughly identify and improve unreasonable or outdated systems from the perspective of the public. We will continue to uncover tasks and promptly address any issues that cause inconvenience to the public."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-02 20:00:00

Special Prosecutors Summon Former Seoul Central District Prosecutor Lee Chang-soo Over Allegations The second Special Prosecutor Team, led by Kwon Chang-young, has decided to summon Lee Chang-soo, the former Seoul Central District Prosecutor, for questioning in connection with allegations of covering up the Deutsche Motors investigation. According to a report by Yonhap News on June 2, Lee and Choi Jae-hoon, the former head of the Anti-Corruption Division at the Seoul Central District Prosecutor's Office, have been notified of their summons regarding charges of falsifying official documents. The core of the allegations is that the Seoul Central District Prosecutor's Office failed to conduct a proper investigation into the Deutsche Motors stock manipulation case, particularly in its decision not to prosecute Kim Geon-hee, the spouse of President Yoon Suk-yeol. The investigation team concluded that Kim was not aware of any wrongdoing related to market manipulation, leading to a decision of 'no charges' regarding violations of the Capital Markets Act. Subsequent to this decision, there are indications that an internal 'no-prosecution opinion' document was drafted before the case was closed, and parts of the investigation report were altered afterward. The Special Prosecutor Team believes that these modifications were made retroactively and may constitute the creation of false official documents, leading to Lee and others being designated as suspects. Lee and his associates have denied the allegations, asserting that the report modifications were merely adjustments made in response to issues raised during a media briefing, and that there was no intent to falsify or mislead. The Special Prosecutor Team is also investigating whether there was any involvement from higher-ups in the Yoon Suk-yeol administration in the decision not to prosecute Kim Geon-hee. In connection with this matter, former Prosecutor General Shim Woo-jung has been designated as a suspect for abuse of power, while Choi Jae-hoon has reportedly been questioned as a witness. The Special Prosecutor Team plans to focus on clarifying the circumstances surrounding the handling of the Kim Geon-hee case and the modifications made to the investigation report.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-02 19:36:00

Hanwha Aerospace Explosion Investigation Concludes; Police Begin Safety Probe A joint investigation into the explosion at Hanwha Aerospace's Daejeon facility has concluded, with police now focusing on determining the cause of the incident that resulted in seven casualties, including five fatalities. According to Yonhap News, the Daejeon Police Agency conducted a joint investigation with fire officials, the National Forensic Service, the Ministry of Employment and Labor, and the Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency starting at around 10 a.m. on June 2. The investigation lasted approximately six hours and 40 minutes, concluding at 4:40 p.m. The explosion occurred at 10:59 a.m. on June 1 in the cleaning room of Building 56 at the facility. At the time, workers were reportedly cleaning tools used for manufacturing projectiles, which were contaminated with gunpowder. Five workers died, and two others sustained serious injuries. Police focused their investigation on the suspected ignition point, examining the site for evidence while removing collapsed walls and steel structures with heavy machinery. However, most evidence was destroyed, limiting visual confirmation of the cause. The police plan to send debris collected from the site to the National Forensic Service for detailed analysis. It was also noted that there were no closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras inside the building, prompting investigators to analyze footage from external cameras. To confirm the identities of the deceased, police have requested DNA analysis from the families of the victims. An autopsy was also conducted on the same day. Yoo Seung-sik, head of the scientific investigation unit at the Daejeon Police Agency, stated, "We will only be able to determine the presence of flammable materials after the detailed examination of the collected evidence is completed. We will announce the identities of the deceased as soon as we receive confirmation from the forensic agency, and we may conduct additional joint investigations if necessary." The dedicated investigation team has already interviewed two individuals: an employee who returned to work after receiving treatment for injuries and another who was off duty on the day of the incident. The cleaning team initially consisted of eight members, with one member responsible for safety management and another being a new hire who had joined with the two deceased contract workers. Police have confirmed that they are investigating the circumstances leading up to the explosion, including the cleaning procedures, the composition of cleaning agents, and whether safety guidelines were established and followed. Additionally, police have obtained some documents from Hanwha Aerospace related to the cause of the accident and safety management practices through voluntary submission. A police official told Yonhap News, "We will continue to conduct witness interviews and gather materials, keeping all possibilities open as we investigate the cause of the accident."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-02 19:24:00

Chairman Jin Young-seung Inspects Military Readiness Ahead of Local Elections Chairman Jin Young-seung conducted a readiness inspection of key military units in the capital region one day before the local elections. According to a report by Yonhap News on June 2, Jin visited the Army Capital Corps and the Marine Corps’ 2nd Division to assess their operational readiness for coastal and river defense operations and to encourage the troops. He first visited the Army Capital Corps headquarters in Anyang, Gyeonggi Province, where he reviewed their operational readiness. Jin received briefings on coastal defense operations, procedures to counter threats from enemy drones, and the status of responses to illegal fishing in the neutral zone of the Han River estuary, emphasizing the need for maintaining a robust operational posture. "In the event of enemy provocations, respond decisively based on principles and standards, and become a military that earns the trust of the people," he urged. During his visit to the Capital Corps, discussions were also held regarding the transfer of operational control of the Marine Corps’ 2nd Division to the Marines, which is part of the government's plan to restructure the Marine Corps into a 'quasi-fourth military force' by returning operational control of the Army-held Marine Divisions 1 and 2 to the Marines. Earlier, Jin visited the Marine Corps’ 2nd Division coastal defense unit in Gimpo, Gyeonggi Province. He instructed them to maintain enhanced surveillance and defense readiness to prevent surprise attacks as they serve as the gateway to Seoul. He also urged field commanders to pay special attention to the safety management of soldiers during the hot summer months.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-02 19:24:00