NC AI Supplies Autonomous Welding Robot AI Brain to Hanwha Ocean's Merchant and Special Vessels NC AI announced on June 4 that it has secured a contract with Hanwha Ocean to develop a vision recognition-based welding model and an autonomous welding model using collaborative robots. This project aims to integrate advanced artificial intelligence (AI) vision recognition with precise robotic control technology for welding, a critical process in shipbuilding. NC AI and Hanwha Ocean are working towards implementing a "physical AI solution for autonomous welding" that enables robots to recognize and assess welding areas independently, performing optimal welding in real-time. The welding process in shipyards presents extreme challenges for vision recognition AI due to intense arc light, sparks, real-time welding fumes, and camera lens contamination from outdoor and harsh environments. In arc welding, the temperature can rise from approximately 5,500 to 30,000 degrees Celsius, while plasma arc welding can reach ultra-high temperatures of up to 25,000 degrees Celsius. To address these challenges, NC AI is conducting research that incorporates real-time feedback from Hanwha Ocean's actual worksite data and engineers. The goal is to develop a "shipbuilding-specialized vision recognition technology" that can accurately extract geometric welding lines and detect welding defects in real-time, even amidst strong noise and contamination. NC AI is particularly emphasizing its advanced multimodal technology as the driving force behind this welding automation. This year, it plans to introduce the next-generation industry-specific vision language model, "VAETKI Vision," which is an upgraded version of last year's "VARCO VISION 2.0," as a key engine for the Hanwha Ocean project. Lee Yeon-soo, CEO of NC AI, stated, "We aim to successfully develop robust vision recognition technology and autonomous control models that can overcome dust and contamination on-site, creating a world-class physical AI model that can be deployed in actual shipbuilding processes."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-04 08:24:00

Meritz Securities Raises Target Price for Samsung Electro-Mechanics to 2.1 Million Won Meritz Securities has upgraded its target price for Samsung Electro-Mechanics, citing the ongoing growth momentum of key components essential for the artificial intelligence (AI) era, including multilayer ceramic capacitors (MLCC), silicon capacitors (Si-CAP), and Ajinomoto build-up film (ABF) substrates. The target price was raised from 1.9 million won to 2.1 million won, while maintaining a 'buy' rating. Yang Seung-soo, a researcher at Meritz Securities, noted, "Although the recent stock price has seen a sharp decline, raising concerns about adjustments, the direction of the three core growth drivers remains unchanged." He added, "The demand for AI MLCC is increasing, leading to heightened concerns about supply shortages." He further stated, "High-capacity MLCCs for AI servers are expected to enter a serious supply shortage phase starting in the second half of the year, and competition among major clients for long-term supply contracts is likely to intensify." Yang explained that the demand for Si-CAP will continue to grow as clients expand their next-generation packaging technologies, emphasizing that as the importance of power stability and noise control increases, so too will the demand for Si-CAP. He also pointed out that the ABF substrate market is experiencing significant supply-demand imbalances, with major competitors reportedly pushing for price increases of 15% to 20%. He assessed that Samsung Electro-Mechanics is likely to participate in price hikes based on a favorable supply environment. Yang concluded, "If domestic and international expansion plans are formalized, there is potential for additional corporate value growth based on the long-term cycle of the industry and the expansion of client companies," reiterating the adjusted target price of 2.1 million won.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-04 08:24:00

U.S. Secretary of State Says Treatment of American Companies in South Korea Affects Trade Talks Marco Rubio, the U.S. Secretary of State, stated that regulatory issues concerning American companies in South Korea have impacted trade negotiations between the two countries. He also confirmed that the U.S. military presence and deterrence posture against North Korea remain unchanged. During a House Foreign Affairs Committee hearing on June 3, Rubio responded to questions regarding the treatment of U.S. companies in South Korea. Republican Representative Darrell Issa claimed that South Korea has been pressuring American firms such as Meta and Coupang. Rubio acknowledged, "This is one of the factors we are addressing in our relationship with South Korea." He added, "Honestly, I believe this has affected our ability to reach a trade agreement with Korea due to the specific attitudes toward American companies." He noted that the regulation of U.S. tech companies is not unique to South Korea, stating, "The European Union is also targeting American tech firms," and emphasized that regulations in various countries regarding U.S. companies are being treated as trade issues. Regarding the political situation in South Korea, Rubio maintained a neutral stance. Issa suggested that South Korean democracy is leaning more to the left and opening more pathways to China. Rubio remarked, "In democracies, sometimes leaders who are more favorable to U.S. interests are elected, and at other times, leaders with different perspectives are chosen." He emphasized, "If a leader is elected through a legitimate election, we respect the sovereign choice of that country's people." He also stated, "The fact that a democratically elected government may take a position contrary to U.S. interests does not mean that the U.S. seeks to overthrow or remove that government." Rubio confirmed that there has been no change in the U.S. deterrence posture toward North Korea. In response to a question from Democratic Representative Ami Bera about any changes in U.S. nuclear deterrence regarding North Korea, Rubio stated, "Our posture remains unchanged." He added, "We are not looking to create a crisis or engage in war or cause problems, and we maintain a very strong working relationship with South Korea." He also mentioned U.S. shipbuilding policies, stating, "Some vessels will be allowed to be built in South Korea, which will also benefit the U.S."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-04 08:21:00

Bitcoin Falls Below 100 Million Won Amid Rising Interest Rate Concerns and Middle East Tensions Cryptocurrency markets, including Bitcoin, are experiencing a sharp decline. This downturn is attributed to escalating military tensions between the U.S. and Iran, coupled with growing concerns over further tightening by the Federal Reserve.As of 8 a.m. on June 4, Bitcoin was trading at $64,779 (approximately 99.43 million won), down 2.75% from the previous day. This marks the first time Bitcoin's price has fallen below 100 million won since April 2, when the effects of the U.S.-Iran conflict were still being felt.Major altcoins are also showing weakness. Ethereum, the second-largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization, fell 2.09% to $1,824. Solana (SOL) dropped 2.29% to $72.11, while Ripple (XRP) saw a slight increase of 0.35%, trading at $1.20.Market analysts suggest that rising tensions in the Middle East have led to increased international oil prices and a surge in bond yields, negatively impacting investor sentiment.According to Yonhap News, the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) attacked U.S. military bases in Kuwait and Bahrain early on June 4 in response to strikes on Iranian tankers and a telecommunications tower on Qeshm Island. Iran claims these attacks are retaliation for recent U.S. actions, which included targeting radar facilities on Qeshm Island on June 1 and disabling an Iranian tanker with a missile on June 2.As U.S.-Iran hostilities continue, Brent crude futures closed at $97.81 per barrel, up 1.9%, while West Texas Intermediate (WTI) futures rose 2.4% to $96.02 per barrel. Additionally, news that U.S.-based company Strategy, which holds the largest Bitcoin reserves globally, recently sold some of its Bitcoin has further shaken investor confidence.The Crypto Fear and Greed Index on CoinMarketCap registered a score of 24 (indicating fear) as of today, down 10 points from last week’s score of 34. A score closer to 0 indicates extreme fear, while a score near 100 indicates extreme optimism.Meanwhile, at the same time on the domestic exchange Bithumb, Bitcoin was trading at approximately 96 million won ($62,540), down 2.99% from the previous day. The 'Kimchi Premium' was recorded at -3.5%, indicating that Bitcoin prices in South Korea are lower than those overseas.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-04 08:18:00

SK Securities Raises Samsung C&T Target Price to 590,000 Won SK Securities announced on June 4 that it has raised its target price for Samsung C&T from 480,000 won to 590,000 won, reflecting the company's increased equity value, improved business performance, and expectations for enhanced shareholder returns. The investment rating remains at 'Buy.' Choi Kwan-soon, a researcher at SK Securities, stated in a report that the current discount rate compared to the net asset value (NAV) is 54.6%, indicating strong valuation appeal. Choi noted that Samsung C&T's current equity value stands at 165 trillion won, comprising 64.5% from Samsung Electronics, 16.5% from Samsung Biologics, and 11.3% from Samsung Life. He explained that while Samsung Biologics' stock price has decreased by 19.4% since the end of last year, Samsung Electronics and Samsung Life have seen their stock prices rise by 196.9% and 204.6%, respectively. Additionally, the company's net debt decreased by 972.7 billion won in the first quarter of 2026 compared to the end of last year, leading to an increase in Samsung C&T's NAV by 75.4 trillion won. He further emphasized that considering the growth in the high-tech sector and the long-term potential of energy and small modular reactors (SMRs), there is a high likelihood of improved cash flow from operations. He highlighted the importance of focusing on the improvement in operational performance alongside the increase in equity value. Moreover, Choi pointed out that in February, Samsung C&T announced an increase in its minimum dividend per share to 2,500 won from this year through 2028, and plans to redistribute 60-70% of its affiliate dividend income as part of its shareholder return policy. He added that Samsung Electronics plans to return additional funds after the regular dividend of 9.8 trillion won this year, which is 50% of the total free cash flow (FCF) from 2024 to 2026, if any surplus remains. Choi projected that the consensus estimate for this year's FCF is 220.9 trillion won, indicating continued expectations for increased dividends from Samsung Electronics. He anticipates that the dividends for the 2027 business year from Samsung C&T, which redistributes 60-70% of its affiliate dividend income, will also increase accordingly.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-04 08:18:00

Kyobo Securities: Hanmi Pharmaceutical Signs $1.9 Billion Licensing Deal with Eli Lilly Kyobo Securities has highlighted the global technology export achievements of Hanmi Pharmaceutical and the potential value of its additional pipeline, maintaining a target price of 700,000 won and a "buy" rating on the stock. Researcher Jeong Hee-ryeong explained that Hanmi Pharmaceutical recently signed a licensing agreement with global pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly for the GLP-2 class drug candidate, sonepaglutide. The total contract value is approximately 1.9 trillion won, with Hanmi set to receive an upfront payment of 112.9 billion won. Jeong noted that sonepaglutide is a candidate utilizing Hanmi's long-acting platform technology, Labscovery, and is currently undergoing Phase 2 clinical trials globally. He added that Eli Lilly's active efforts to expand its inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) treatment portfolio likely contributed positively to the agreement due to relevant preclinical data. Additionally, Jeong assessed the likelihood of further contracts, as Hanmi has set a goal of at least one technology transfer within the year. Market speculation includes HM15275 and HM17321 as potential candidates for future licensing, with HM17321 particularly noted for its potential to mitigate muscle loss side effects in obesity treatments. Jeong also pointed to the upcoming launch of epeglanatide by the end of the year and the Phase 2b clinical trial results for the MASH treatment epinpegdutide in the second half of the year as key momentum factors. He stated, "Considering the improvement in performance and research and development outcomes, the current stock price has more upside potential than downside risk."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-04 08:15:00

Huawei's New Semiconductor Strategy Amid U.S. Sanctions In March 2023, I attended a performance announcement at Huawei's headquarters in Shenzhen, China. More striking than the performance figures was the plum blossom theme that adorned the venue. The flower symbolizes resilience and nobility. Huawei CEO Xu Zhi Jun's remark, "The fragrance of the plum blossom comes from enduring the harsh winter," seemed to reflect the company's determination to overcome stringent U.S. sanctions. However, I couldn't shake the question: Can Huawei truly navigate these challenges? Three years later, that question seems to be fading. Recently, Huawei unveiled its so-called "Tao's Law," which resembles a plum blossom that has bloomed after enduring the cold. Despite being blocked from accessing advanced extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography equipment due to U.S. sanctions, Huawei has proposed a new direction for semiconductor processes that enhances chip performance. The core of this approach shifts away from Moore's Law, which focuses on making transistors smaller to boost performance. Instead, it optimizes the entire internal circuit and data transmission structure of chips to reduce signal transmission time. The term "Tao" is derived from the physics term "tau (τ)," which represents the time constant for electrical signal transmission. Tao's Law is the brainchild of He Tingbo, head of Huawei's semiconductor design division, HiSilicon. Within Huawei, it is also referred to as "He’s Law" in honor of He. He Tingbo has drawn inspiration from the ancient Chinese irrigation system, Dujiangyan, built over 2,300 years ago. This system was scientifically designed to redirect water flows to prevent flooding rather than blocking rivers, and it remains in use today. He stated, "Dujiangyan was completed in an environment lacking electricity, Newton's laws, and mechanical equipment. There is no reason why today's Huawei engineers cannot find solutions." In fact, Huawei has sought new alternatives against U.S. sanctions through semiconductor process design, packaging, system architecture, and software optimization. This reflects the wisdom of Dujiangyan: if you cannot block the river, change its course. Such solutions did not emerge overnight. Last year alone, Huawei invested 192.3 billion yuan (approximately $42 billion) in research and development. Over the past decade, total investments have exceeded 1.38 trillion yuan. Even during the peak of U.S. sanctions, Huawei did not reduce its technological investments. This resilience is rooted in Huawei's unique sense of crisis. In early 2001, founder Ren Zhengfei published a lengthy piece in the company’s internal media titled "Huawei's Winter." At that time, Huawei was rapidly growing as a leading telecommunications company in China, but he warned, "It is spring now, but winter is not far off." This message emphasized the need to prepare for crises during times of success. The company has endured the 2008 global financial crisis and the comprehensive U.S. sanctions that began in 2019. Today, "Huawei's Winter" is considered essential reading among Chinese business leaders. Recently, the semiconductor industry in South Korea has thrived amid an AI boom. However, the semiconductor cycle is inherently repetitive. Today's prosperity does not guarantee tomorrow's success. Another winter will inevitably come. Will we be able to endure like the plum blossom? Can we apply the wisdom of Dujiangyan?* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-04 08:00:00

Oh Se-hoon Takes Lead in Seoul Mayoral Race After Initial Deficit Oh Se-hoon, the People Power Party candidate for Seoul mayor, surged to first place around 7:16 a.m. on June 4, overtaking Democratic Party candidate Jeong Won-o. Oh's comeback came approximately 13 hours after polls closed, overcoming a 5.4 percentage point deficit reported by the three major broadcasters (KBS, MBC, SBS) in their exit polls. According to the National Election Commission, as of 7:45 a.m., Oh had secured 48.80% of the votes, slightly ahead of Jeong's 48.48%. Oh, who had trailed Jeong by more than 10 percentage points earlier, dramatically reversed the situation in the morning and has since widened the gap. Reports indicate that Oh is currently moving from his home, where he watched the vote counting, to the election camp's counting room in Jongno-gu, Seoul. Meanwhile, on the previous day, several polling stations in Seoul, including the second polling station in Jamsil 7-dong, Songpa-gu, faced a shortage of ballots, leading some voters to leave without casting their votes. The National Election Commission responded by urgently supplying additional ballots to ensure voters could still participate after 6 p.m. However, the People Power Party expressed concerns that some voters' rights were infringed upon. The National Election Commission acknowledged the issue, stating, "We take full responsibility" and apologized to the public, but clarified that the ballot shortage does not meet the criteria for a re-election.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-04 07:51:00

CENTCOM: Iran's Missiles Fail to Hit Targets in Kuwait The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) reported that Iranian missiles failed to hit their intended targets in Kuwait. This statement comes after Iran claimed to have attacked U.S.-related facilities in the Gulf region, which the U.S. denied, stating there were no American casualties. On June 3, CENTCOM posted on X (formerly Twitter) that "Iran launched several ballistic missiles toward regional nations, but none struck their intended targets." According to CENTCOM, two missiles fired by Iran toward Kuwait either fell short or disintegrated mid-flight. Three missiles aimed at Bahrain were intercepted by U.S. and Bahraini air defense systems. There were also drone attacks. CENTCOM explained that Iran launched three one-way attack drones at civilian vessels passing through regional waters, which were intercepted by U.S. forces. In response, U.S. forces struck a military ground control facility on Iran's Qeshm Island in an act of self-defense. Qeshm Island is a strategic location near the Strait of Hormuz. CENTCOM confirmed that there were no U.S. personnel casualties from the attacks. They also stated they are prepared to respond to Iranian aggression despite the ongoing ceasefire. The dispute over responsibility for the attack on Kuwait International Airport continues. Reuters reported that the Iranian drone and missile strikes damaged airport facilities, resulting in one death and over 60 injuries. The Iranian Revolutionary Guard claimed they did not target the airport and attributed the damage to U.S. interceptor missiles. In response, CENTCOM refuted this claim, stating, "Iran's assertion that it did not attack the Kuwait International Airport passenger terminal and that the damage was caused by U.S. missile interceptors is completely false."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-04 07:42:00

U.S. Secretary of State Rubio: Sanctions Relief Linked to Iran's Nuclear Program U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that any sanctions relief in negotiations with Iran must be contingent upon the country abandoning its nuclear program. He emphasized that simply reopening the Strait of Hormuz would not suffice for lifting sanctions. On June 3, during a House Foreign Affairs Committee hearing, Rubio denied speculation that the U.S. had proposed sanctions relief in exchange for reopening the Strait of Hormuz. He asserted, "For sanctions relief to be considered, Iran must abandon its enrichment of uranium and nuclear activities." Rubio explained, "Iran is under sanctions due to its enrichment of uranium and nuclear activities. If Iran relinquishes these and complies with an agreement, then sanctions relief will follow." This positions the nuclear issue as a priority over the Strait of Hormuz transit concerns. According to the Economic Times, Rubio also mentioned the weakening of Iran's military capabilities. He claimed, "Following military operations by the U.S. and Israel, Iran's navy, air force, air defense systems, and missile and drone launch capabilities have suffered significant blows." He further noted that Iran is facing severe economic challenges, including hyperinflation, currency devaluation, and fiscal pressures. Rubio indicated that any nuclear-related agreement with Iran would undergo congressional review. He stated that he would submit any relevant agreements to Congress in accordance with the Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act (INARA) established in 2015. This implies that any agreement would not only be an executive announcement but would also require congressional scrutiny. According to the Associated Press, Rubio also addressed the situation in Lebanon. He mentioned, "The U.S. is mediating security discussions between Israel and Lebanon," and asserted that the Lebanese government must regain control over its territory and disarm Hezbollah. Regarding Greenland, he stated, "Defense discussions among the U.S., Denmark, and Greenland are ongoing." Rubio emphasized Greenland's importance in missile defense and Arctic security, noting that discussions are in a favorable position.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-04 07:24:00