AI Ecosystem Shift: TSMC's Supply Chain Limitations Exposed as South Korea Emerges Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix, along with other South Korean companies strong in autonomous driving and physical AI, are increasingly joining NVIDIA's AI supply chain. This raises concerns about potential cracks in the existing TSMC-centered AI supply chain.On June 1, NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang began a series of meetings with major South Korean companies during his keynote speech at the 'GTC Taipei 2026' event. The inaugural 'Korea Partner Night' featured representatives from Samsung Electronics, SK Hynix, Hyundai Motor Group, LG Electronics, Doosan, and Naver.NVIDIA's expansion of collaboration with South Korean firms is driven by their advanced manufacturing capabilities. The core competitiveness of AI accelerators is shifting from single GPU performance to include memory bandwidth, power efficiency, advanced packaging, data center operations, and physical AI implementation. To ensure a stable supply of next-generation AI accelerators, NVIDIA needs partners not only for memory supply but also in robotics and mobility sectors. Relying solely on a foundry-based value chain like TSMC's is no longer feasible.The surge in AI chip production has exacerbated supply bottlenecks related to TSMC's proprietary packaging technology, CoWoS (Chip on Wafer on Substrate). While TSMC's foundry capabilities remain dominant, it has become increasingly difficult to manage the entire supply chain independently in the AI era. Analysts predict a multipolar system where NVIDIA handles GPU design, Taiwan focuses on advanced manufacturing, and South Korea takes charge of memory, packaging, and post-processing.Samsung and SK Hynix, which have secured leadership in HBM supply, are expected to gain further prominence. Samsung recently began shipping samples of its seventh-generation HBM4E, accelerating its response to NVIDIA's next-generation roadmap. HBM4E is set to be integrated into NVIDIA's upcoming AI accelerator, Rubin Ultra, scheduled for release in 2027.SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won and CEO Jensen Huang have met three times over the past seven months in South Korea and the U.S., and they met again during the GTC event in Taiwan. There is growing interest in the potential for collaboration on next-generation HBM supply and AI memory roadmaps.NVIDIA is also strengthening its collaboration with Hyundai Motor Group on autonomous driving. At the GTC conference held in the U.S. in March, NVIDIA announced plans to work with Hyundai on developing Level 4 autonomous driving. Hyundai is building an integrated system that can expand from Level 2 to Level 4 autonomy using NVIDIA's Drive platform, Hyperion.With LG Group, NVIDIA is accelerating its collaboration in physical AI across various sectors. Collaborations are anticipated with LG AI Research, which is developing a large language model (LLM) called Exaone, LG Innotek, which specializes in robotic sensing technology, and LG Uplus, which has cloud infrastructure including data centers. Earlier this year, LG Electronics unveiled the intelligent home robot 'LG Cloid,' based on NVIDIA's high-performance chipset, Jetson Thor.An industry insider noted, "The AI semiconductor supply chain is evolving from being centered around NVIDIA and TSMC to a 'physical AI manufacturing ecosystem' that includes memory, packaging, and robotics. South Korean companies are emerging as key players in the AI ecosystem due to their core capabilities in physical AI."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-01 18:03:00

NVIDIA's Jensen Huang Announces Production of Vera Rubin with Samsung and SK Hynix Memory "Vera Rubin has finally entered production. It is equipped with HBM4 from Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix." Jensen Huang, CEO of NVIDIA, made this announcement during his keynote speech at the GTC Taipei 2026 technology exhibition on June 1, further solidifying the company's memory alliance with South Korea. In a speech lasting nearly two hours, Huang officially confirmed the mass production of the next-generation AI accelerator, Vera Rubin. He specifically named Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix as key suppliers of the essential sixth-generation high-bandwidth memory (HBM4). Huang also praised Taiwan's semiconductor ecosystem, referring to it as the "epicenter of the AI revolution," stating that "core manufacturing, including NVIDIA chip production and packaging, all takes place here." NVIDIA recently broke ground on a new headquarters in Taiwan, aiming for operations to begin by 2030, with plans to expand local investments to $150 billion annually. However, Huang emphasized that "NVIDIA's AI systems require not only Taiwan's advanced processes but also the high-speed, high-capacity memory technologies from Samsung and SK Hynix." This highlights his intention to strengthen cooperation with Korean memory companies while maintaining a supply chain centered around TSMC. Huang is also focusing on the manufacturing capabilities in the physical AI sector in South Korea. After concluding his schedule in Taiwan, he is expected to visit Korea on June 5 to discuss various collaboration opportunities with major domestic manufacturers. He is likely to hold an official meeting with Koo Kwang-mo, chairman of LG Group, to accelerate the integration of NVIDIA's AI chips with LG's manufacturing platforms across future advanced industries, including home appliances, automotive, and robotics. Earlier, Huang's daughter, Madison Huang, NVIDIA's Senior Director of Omniverse and Robotics Marketing, visited Korea in April and met with Ryu Jae-cheol, president of LG Electronics. During that meeting, they discussed collaboration in physical AI, infrastructure, and robotics, laying the groundwork for their alliance. Huang is also scheduled to meet with other business leaders, including Chung Eui-sun, chairman of Hyundai Motor Group, and Park Jung-won, chairman of Doosan Group. Notably, discussions with Doosan are expected to focus on integrating NVIDIA's physical AI technology into Doosan Robotics and utilizing specialized data to secure customized foundation models.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-01 18:03:00

Hyundai Begins Electric Vehicle Production at Thailand CKD Plant, Accelerating Emerging Market Strategy 현대자동차그룹이 반조립제품(CKD) 생산 거점을 확대하고 있다. 완성차 수출 대신 현지 조립 생산을 통한 신흥시장 공략에 속도를 내는 모습이다. On June 1, industry sources reported that Hyundai Motor's Thailand subsidiary (HMTH) completed the establishment of its CKD facility in Samut Prakan Province last month and has officially begun mass production. The plant will primarily produce electric models, including the Ioniq series, with an annual production capacity of 5,000 units and a sales target of 3,000 units for this year. Thailand, a major automotive production hub in Southeast Asia, has an annual vehicle production volume of approximately 1.4 to 1.5 million units. The local government is promoting the transition to electric vehicles through subsidies and tax incentives, intensifying competition among global automakers to establish production bases in the region. Hyundai established its CKD production system two years after receiving approval from the Thailand Board of Investment (BOI) for an investment of about 1 billion baht (approximately $40 million) in 2024. CKD, or Completely Knocked Down, involves sending key components to local facilities for assembly instead of exporting finished vehicles. This approach reduces initial investment burdens and fosters positive relations with local governments, serving as a 'foothold' for entering emerging markets. Previously, Hyundai entered the Vietnamese market in 2011 through a partnership with the Thanh Cong Group using the CKD method, later establishing Hyundai Thanh Cong Manufacturing Vietnam (HTMV) in 2017 to increase its local market share. By the end of the year, a CKD facility will also be completed in Saudi Arabia, the largest market in the Middle East. Additionally, Hyundai operates CKD plants in over 15 countries, including Kazakhstan, Egypt, Pakistan, and Malaysia, enhancing its influence in Asia and the Middle East. A Hyundai official stated, "The Southeast Asian market is heavily influenced by Japanese brands, and recently, Chinese companies have intensified their presence, increasing the need for local joint CKD operations." Other domestic automakers are also focusing on expanding their CKD operations. Kia held a ceremony last year to inaugurate a CKD joint plant in Kostanay, Kazakhstan, and began production of the Sorento. KG Mobility plans to establish new CKD plants in Vietnam and Saudi Arabia this year. The expansion of CKD production is also contributing to growth in logistics. Hyundai Glovis reported a 10.3% increase in its distribution revenue for the first quarter of this year, totaling 3.87 trillion won compared to the same period last year. Industry analysts believe that the increased demand for parts transportation due to the expansion of CKD production by domestic automakers has contributed to this improvement. Moon Hak-hoon, a professor at Osan University’s Department of Future Automotive Engineering, noted, "CKD allows companies to avoid tariff burdens while expanding their market through local production, indicating a growing demand for CKD plants in emerging automotive markets."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-01 18:03:00

Taiwan Dominates AI Chip Ecosystem as South Korea Seeks Collaboration The competition between South Korea and Taiwan for dominance in the global artificial intelligence (AI) ecosystem is intensifying. Taiwan boasts a strong value chain in foundry, packaging, and fabless sectors, bolstered by its early partnership with NVIDIA. Meanwhile, South Korea aims to leverage its leading memory capabilities and top-tier physical AI expertise to emerge as a key player in the ecosystem. During the keynote address at the GTC 2026 event in Taipei on June 1, NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang unveiled strategies for next-generation AI semiconductors and AI chips for PCs. Following this event, Computex 2026 will further establish Taiwan as a central hub for global AI business. Taiwan's competitive edge lies in its dense supply chain. NVIDIA's core AI accelerators are produced through TSMC's advanced processes and packaging. Companies like Foxconn provide AI servers and power infrastructure, while fabless firms such as MediaTek and Alchip handle custom semiconductor designs for major tech companies. NVIDIA's plans to build a large new headquarters and research center in Taiwan are aimed at maintaining this supply chain density in the long term. While Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix dominate the high-bandwidth memory (HBM) and next-generation DRAM markets, they appear more as key component suppliers compared to Taiwan's integrated value chain that encompasses chip design, manufacturing, packaging, server assembly, and power and cooling components. However, there are opportunities for South Korea. The next wave of AI competition is shifting towards the integration of semiconductors, robotics, automotive technology, factory automation, and data center infrastructure. Notably, the physical AI sector, emphasized by NVIDIA, is seeing renewed interest in the capabilities of South Korean manufacturing giants. If sectors like automotive, robotics, shipbuilding, batteries, and smart factories can integrate with NVIDIA's platform, South Korea could establish a distinct AI ecosystem compared to Taiwan. The challenge will be to expand collaboration beyond individual companies to a national strategy that integrates semiconductors, manufacturing, software, and infrastructure. After his visit to Taiwan, Jensen Huang is scheduled to travel to South Korea, where he will meet with prominent business leaders, including Naver founder Lee Hae-jin, LG Group Chairman Koo Kwang-mo, Hyundai Motor Group Chairman Chung Eui-sun, and Doosan Group Chairman Park Jung-won, starting June 5. There are also discussions about a potential visit to Naver's 1784 headquarters on June 8. There are calls for Huang's visit to go beyond ceremonial meetings. It is essential for South Korean conglomerates to find various opportunities to integrate into the global AI ecosystem led by NVIDIA. Kim Yong-seok, a distinguished professor at Gachon University’s Semiconductor College, stated, "Jensen Huang's visit aims to connect NVIDIA's chips and software solutions with South Korea's manufacturing sites and products. The key challenge will be to closely integrate South Korea's strengths in memory with NVIDIA's physical AI solutions."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-01 18:03:00

Taipei Emerges as Global AI Industry Hub with Major Players Gathering Taipei has emerged as a gathering place for key players in the global artificial intelligence (AI) industry. Events such as 'GTC Taipei 2026' and 'Computex 2026' are drawing major figures from global AI companies, including NVIDIA, AMD, TSMC, Foxconn, Qualcomm, and Arm, to the city. On June 1, Jensen Huang, CEO of NVIDIA, delivered a keynote speech at GTC 2026. This event serves as a precursor to Computex, which opens on June 2 and reveals NVIDIA's technology strategy. Once primarily a PC and component exhibition, Computex has evolved into one of Asia's largest showcases for AI industry trends, coinciding with GTC Taipei, where NVIDIA's next-generation business vision will be unveiled. The significance of this event stems from the strong cohesion within Taiwan's semiconductor ecosystem. TSMC is a key production partner for NVIDIA's AI accelerators, while Foxconn is increasingly important in AI server manufacturing. Companies like MediaTek and Delta Electronics are also expanding their connections with NVIDIA's ecosystem in areas such as AI PCs, servers, power management, and custom semiconductors. Jensen Huang, who has Taiwanese roots, along with Lisa Su, CEO of AMD and a distant relative, are among the notable attendees expected during Computex. Other industry leaders, including Cristiano Amon, CEO of Qualcomm, Pat Gelsinger, CEO of Intel, Matt Murphy, CEO of Marvell, and Rene Haas, CEO of Arm, are also set to visit Taipei, marking a significant convergence of AI semiconductor, server, communication, and design asset companies. Locally, executives from TSMC and Foxconn are anticipated to meet with CEO Jensen Huang. While NVIDIA holds a strong position in AI chip design and software ecosystems, Taiwan possesses a critical foundation for production, packaging, and server manufacturing, aligning the interests of both parties. Korean companies are also making their presence felt at the event. Choi Tae-won, chairman of SK Group, is scheduled to hold a press conference on June 2, while Song Jae-hyuk, Chief Technology Officer and President of Samsung Electronics, Park Min-woo, President of Hyundai Motor Group, and Kim Yoo-won, CEO of Naver Cloud, are expected to showcase their companies' technological competitiveness.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-01 18:03:00

Uzbekistan formalizes Termez Dialogue to anchor South Asian trade integration SEOUL, June 01 (AJP) - Uzbekistan is establishing the Termez Dialogue as a permanent interregional forum to anchor its expanding economic integration with South Asian consumer markets. The institutionalization marks a structural shift in Eurasian supply chains, transforming neighboring Afghanistan from a source of geopolitical instability into a primary commercial transit bridge. The policy evolution moves the region away from isolated cross-border trade toward a comprehensive model of economic interdependence. This integration is backed by a rapid surge in bilateral commerce, infrastructure development, and targeted regulatory easing along the southern border. Overall trade turnover between Uzbekistan and South Asian nations expanded 3.2 times over a nine-year period from 2016 to 2025, reaching 3.5 billion dollars. According to data from Ziyoda Rizaeva at the Center for Economic Research and Reforms, Uzbek exports to the region tripled to two billion dollars, while imports grew 4.1 times to 1.5 billion dollars. Food products formed the largest component of Uzbek exports to the region, totaling 976.4 million dollars or 48.1 percent of the total. Mineral oils followed at 368 million dollars, transport services accounted for 277.8 million dollars, industrial goods reached 140.5 million dollars, and chemical products stood at 134.9 million dollars. Chemical products led the import categories from South Asian countries at 477.6 million dollars, representing 32.2 percent of inbound trade. The remaining imports consisted of 391.4 million dollars in food products, 309.1 million dollars in machinery and equipment, 99 million dollars in miscellaneous products, and 67 million dollars in finished goods. Afghanistan secured the largest share of this regional trade in 2025, with total turnover reaching 1.7 billion dollars, or 47.7 percent of the total. Uzbekistan maintained a highly favorable trade balance with Kabul, sending 712.7 million dollars in food exports, which accounted for 75.5 percent of all Uzbek food shipments to South Asia. India ranked as the second-largest trading partner with bilateral trade reaching 1.3 billion dollars in 2025, representing 37.5 percent of the regional market. Pakistan occupied the third position at 445.9 million dollars, with Uzbekistan exporting 260.2 million dollars in food products and importing 45.3 million dollars in chemical goods from Islamabad. Capital flows between the blocks have risen alongside physical trade, yielding 1.3 billion dollars in foreign direct investment and loans from South Asia over the nine-year period. Nearly 40 percent of that total arrived in 2025 alone, with India contributing 586.7 million dollars and Afghanistan providing 519.2 million dollars. The southern border city of Termez serves as the physical and logistical anchor for this entire integration strategy. The Termez Cargo Center international logistics hub has operated since 2016 at the intersection of Afghanistan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan, acting as a major corridor for United Nations humanitarian assistance. Commercial capacity scaled up significantly with the launch of the Airitom International Trade Center in 2024 near the Afghan border. The 36-hectare complex features a dedicated free trade zone with simplified business conditions, a visa-free entry regime, and permission for unrestricted transactions in foreign currencies. The Airitom facility currently hosts more than 3,000 individual retail outlets and provides approximately 5,500 local jobs. Since its opening, the trading center has attracted more than 440,000 visitors while generating 1.2 billion dollars in annual export volume. 2026-06-01 18:00:07

Tourism Elevated to National Strategic Industry Under Lee Jae-myung Administration As the Lee Jae-myung administration marks its first year, South Korea's tourism policy is undergoing a significant transformation. Once viewed as a sub-sector of the cultural industry or merely a leisure activity, tourism has been elevated to a key "national strategic industry" that is expected to drive domestic economic growth and regional development. The government is intensifying efforts to achieve its goal of attracting 30 million foreign tourists by 2030 through the establishment of the "5 Mega Tourism Zones and 3 Special Self-Governing Provinces" and the "Tourism Saemaul Movement." Current indicators for inbound tourism show a clear upward trend. According to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the number of visitors in the second half of 2025 is projected to increase by 17% compared to the second half of 2024, with a 22% rise in the first half of this year compared to the same period last year, setting new records for inbound tourism. In fact, the number of foreign visitors in the first quarter of this year surpassed 5 million, marking a 23% increase from the previous year. Additionally, arrivals at regional airports have surged by 50%, providing numerical evidence of revitalized local tourism. Foreign credit card spending in South Korea has also risen, injecting vitality into the domestic economy. Choi Hwi-young, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, reaffirmed the commitment to achieving the 30 million foreign tourist target during a press conference on May 28, identifying "regional tourism" as a core challenge. Over 80% of inbound tourists are still concentrated in the capital region, leading to issues of high costs and inconvenience for travelers due to overwhelming demand in limited areas. Minister Choi emphasized, "While there is accommodation capacity in the provinces, there is insufficient product development and connectivity in transportation and content. Accelerating regional tourism and effectively linking content, transportation, and lodging is essential for establishing a stable upward trend." To address this, the Ministry is promoting the "5 Mega Tourism Zones and 3 Special Self-Governing Provinces" initiative, which aims to restructure the tourism landscape from a capital-centric model to five super-regional zones and three special autonomous provinces. This large-scale regional tourism redesign project focuses on breaking down administrative boundaries based on actual tourist journeys, moving away from the previous infrastructure development driven by local government leaders and standardized regional festivals. The initiative aims to package regional airports, accommodations, and transportation networks around each zone, while uncovering unique regional characteristics to encourage longer stays. Notably, President Lee has directed the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport to open international flight routes to foreign airlines, moving beyond the previous focus on protecting national carriers, which is expected to further boost the activation of regional airports. A comprehensive reform to address persistent issues in domestic tourism has also begun. On May 20, the Ministry held a meeting with the Korea Tourism Organization and 13 regional tourism organizations to discuss revitalizing local tourism. This initiative is part of the "Tourism Saemaul Movement," which President Lee emphasized during a cabinet meeting on April 14, calling for maximizing the impact of the tourism industry on local economic revitalization, similar to Japan's regional revitalization system. During that meeting, President Lee urged for an innovative movement involving both small business owners and administrative agencies to improve the quality of life and address major obstacles to domestic tourism, such as inflated prices, disrespect towards foreigners, and unfriendliness. In response, the Ministry and national tourism organizations are launching a campaign to create a joint slogan and expand cooperation from local governments to administrative units at the town and village levels. They also plan to establish a community-driven public-private partnership model through initiatives like tourism cooperatives and village enterprises, aiming to institutionalize this as a regular local innovation movement. Experts suggest that for the government's policy drive to yield tangible results, tourism must be viewed as a solid regional industry ecosystem. Yoon Hye-jin, a professor of tourism development management at Kyonggi University, stated in a recent interview, "Future regional tourism should evolve beyond merely attracting visitors for photos to creating a flow of capital that fosters a positive economic cycle. When local residents profit from the tourism industry, quality jobs are created, which can lead to an increase in the local commuting population. This is the most desirable positive cycle." She added, "To ensure tourism becomes a definitive growth engine for regions, we need to cultivate skilled professionals with planning capabilities in the tourism industry. Additionally, a clear career roadmap must be established to help these professionals settle in their regions. If we continue to rely solely on short-term project budgets or focus on seasonal businesses, we cannot break the cycle of talent draining to the capital region." Overcoming these structural limitations and sustaining large-scale policies like the 5 Mega Tourism Zones and the Tourism Saemaul Movement will ultimately require a robust administrative command and a supportive legal framework. The government elevated the "National Tourism Strategy Meeting," a control tower for tourism policy, to be chaired by the president in April to secure strong momentum for tourism initiatives that had previously been fragmented across various ministries. With the establishment of this presidential control tower, discussions on legislative reforms and regulatory innovations that had stalled due to inter-ministerial disagreements have gained momentum. The government and the National Assembly have begun discussions to comprehensively revise tourism-related laws, such as the Tourism Basic Act and the Tourism Promotion Act, which have not seen significant changes since their enactment in the 1970s. This effort aims to keep pace with rapidly changing global trends and digital environments while ensuring that domestic small and medium-sized tourism ventures have legal protections to compete effectively. Key policy initiatives include bold regulatory exceptions for small-scale and decentralized development and a fast track for new service regulations. In addition to macro-level improvements, addressing persistent local challenges is also a pressing task. Limitations in accommodation infrastructure and exploitative practices by some operators during large-scale mega-events have been identified as major factors undermining the credibility of this national strategic industry. Following controversies over accommodation issues during the BTS concert in Busan, Minister Choi acknowledged the fundamental problem of insufficient accommodation infrastructure to host foreign tourists, proposing a two-track strategy that includes long-term infrastructure expansion and utilizing temple stays and corporate training facilities as "buffer infrastructure" to manage short-term demand. The Ministry has also declared a zero-tolerance policy against unreasonable pricing practices, such as forced cancellations followed by price hikes, labeling them as "disregarding consumers." The Ministry, local governments, and tourism and accommodation associations will work closely to enforce this policy rigorously. 2026-06-01 18:00:00

Hanwha Aerospace CEO Apologizes After Explosion Kills Five Workers An explosion at Hanwha Aerospace's Daejeon facility on June 1 resulted in the deaths of five workers. CEO Son Jae-il expressed his condolences to the victims' families and the public during a press briefing, promising to investigate the cause of the accident and prevent future occurrences. During two joint briefings held that afternoon, Son stated, "We failed to protect the lives of our workers in a place that should be safe," and added, "As the representative, I feel a heavy sense of responsibility," bowing his head in remorse. The incident reportedly occurred in a cleaning area for rocket propellants at the Daejeon facility. Among the deceased, two were contract workers in their 20s, while the other three were full-time employees aged 30 and 50. It remains unclear if they were working in the same area at the time of the explosion. Gajae Woong, the head of the Daejeon facility, commented at the fire scene, "We believed the process was not highly dangerous, so we are surprised by this unexpected accident." He further explained, "Since water is used in the cleaning process, we are investigating the potential for a chemical reaction." The company stated it is fully committed to managing the aftermath of the incident and supporting the victims' families. Gajae Woong noted, "We are in continuous contact with the families to discuss support measures." The Hanwha Aerospace labor union has called for a thorough investigation into the incident. Heo Rok, the union's chairman, expressed his sorrow, stating, "Despite previous similar accidents in 2018 and 2019 that claimed many workers' lives, another tragedy has occurred before we could even forget the last one." He further asserted, "The recurrence of similar accidents in the same location is something that could have been foreseen. This incident is a result of neglecting and tolerating unsafe conditions." * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-01 17:57:00

Song Eon-seok: President Lee Should Focus on Citizens' Lives, Not Stock Indices Song Eon-seok, the floor leader of the People Power Party, urged President Lee Jae-myung on June 1 to focus on the lives of citizens rather than engaging in social media disputes over stock market reports. In a post on Facebook, Song criticized President Lee for responding to media reports that highlighted concerns about the concentration of the semiconductor industry and the struggles of other sectors. Earlier, President Lee shared a report from a securities firm on X (formerly Twitter), stating that excluding semiconductor stocks, the KOSPI index is essentially at the 4,100 to 4,200 range. He argued, "No one says Son Heung-min is an ordinary person if you exclude his soccer skills," and questioned why the overall stock index should be calculated without considering semiconductors, a key industry. Song described the president's behavior as "truly leisurely" in light of recent incidents, including an explosion at a defense facility that resulted in casualties. He acknowledged that while semiconductors are crucial, the weakening competitiveness of other industries and market polarization are concerning issues. "Above all, the president should focus on the lives of the people, not the stock index numbers," Song said, emphasizing that citizens are currently suffering from high inflation, high exchange rates, and high interest rates. He criticized the government for ignoring the public's pain, referring to it as the "cost of success." He added that the anticipated tax increases, rising rents, and interest rates following the local elections are contributing to growing public anxiety. "People are more worried about next month’s tax bills, lease expirations, and loan repayments than stock market gains," he noted. Song expressed concern that the recent surge in credit loans, which increased by over 2.6 trillion won in just one month, and the largest rise in overdraft balances in five years indicate a troubling trend of increased borrowing to invest in the stock market. He warned that if stock prices fluctuate, it could pose significant economic risks to ordinary citizens and households. "President Lee should not boast about rising stock indices as a political achievement but should recognize the warning signs in the economy. Priorities should be on stabilizing prices, reducing tax burdens, alleviating rent pressures, stabilizing real estate, lowering interest burdens, and ensuring stable employment," he emphasized.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-01 17:48:00

National cemeteries see surge of visitors as South Korea commemorates Korean War SEOUL, June 1 (AJP) - Visitors have been flocking to national cemeteries across the country to pay tribute to fallen soldiers and war heroes, as June is observed as the month commemorating the Korean War (1950~1953). Many visitors paid tribute with flowers and moments of silence at the Seoul National Cemetery in southern Seoul, where soldiers and others who died for the nation are laid to rest. The Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs plans to hold various events, programs, and memorial services for veterans and their families across the country as part of efforts to raise awareness of the sacrifices and contributions of war veterans, independence fighters, and national merit recipients. 2026-06-01 17:43:44