President Lee Urges Drug Offenders to Seek Treatment Instead of Prison President Lee Jae-myung stated on June 2 that drug offenders should understand that purchasing drugs through the mail will inevitably lead to detection and punishment. He urged them to avoid spending money on drugs and instead seek treatment promptly.President Lee made these remarks while sharing a report on the government's achievements in drug prevention on his social media platform, X (formerly Twitter).He emphasized, "To combat the social evil of drug abuse, we have deployed drug enforcement personnel to all domestic postal centers." He also mentioned the installation of drug detection equipment, including sniffer dogs and artificial noses.On June 1, relevant government agencies, including the Office for Government Policy Coordination, announced key achievements in the government's response to drug-related crimes. Various agencies, such as the Supreme Prosecutors' Office, National Police Agency, Korea Customs Service, Korea Coast Guard, and the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, reported that they apprehended 23,403 drug offenders last year through joint special enforcement operations leveraging their respective expertise.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-02 09:51:00

KOSPI Shows Mixed Trends Amid Nvidia Surge and Profit-Taking The KOSPI opened higher on June 2, buoyed by a surge in Nvidia and strong performance in U.S. tech stocks. However, early profit-taking led to mixed results. Investor caution is growing as focus remains on major semiconductor and artificial intelligence (AI) stocks. According to the Korea Exchange, as of 9:36 a.m., the KOSPI was up 15.40 points (0.18%) at 8,803.78. The index started at 8,883.19, up 94.81 points (1.08%), but briefly turned negative before rebounding due to buying from individual investors. The market experienced significant volatility early on. At around 9:09 a.m., the KOSPI dropped to 8,503.48, down 284.90 points (3.24%) from the previous day. However, it quickly recovered losses and has been fluctuating around the 8,800 mark. In the previous session, U.S. markets saw the Dow Jones Industrial Average rise by 0.09%, the S&P 500 by 0.26%, and the Nasdaq by 0.42%, with all three indices reaching record highs. Nvidia announced its entry into the AI PC market at the GTC event in Taiwan, resulting in a 6.26% jump in its stock price. Additionally, server company HPE saw a surge in after-hours trading following a strong earnings report, fueling expectations for AI infrastructure investments. At this time, individuals and institutions in the securities market are net buying 27.195 billion won and 892 million won, respectively, while foreign investors are net selling 26.796 billion won. Among the top market capitalization stocks, Samsung Electronics (up 3.44%), LG Energy Solution (up 4.95%), Samsung Life Insurance (up 3.78%), and Samsung C&T (up 0.22%) are gaining. Conversely, SK Hynix (down 1.02%), SK Square (down 2.15%), Hyundai Motor (down 4.00%), Samsung Electro-Mechanics (down 12.57%), and HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (down 4.09%) are declining. At the same time, the KOSDAQ index is down 21.34 points (2.03%) at 1,028.69. The index started at 1,044.89, down 5.14 points (0.49%), and has been widening its losses. In the KOSDAQ market, foreign and institutional investors are net buying 177.1 billion won and 88.4 billion won, while individuals are net selling 261.9 billion won. Among the top KOSDAQ stocks, Alteogen (down 0.82%), Rainbow Robotics (down 1.77%), Rino Industry (down 1.85%), Samchundang Pharmaceutical (down 5.51%), HLB (down 5.59%), and Peptron (down 3.23%) are falling. In contrast, EcoPro BM (up 0.97%), EcoPro (up 3.60%), JUSUNG Engineering (up 5.44%), and Kolon TissueGene (up 1.71%) are rising. Han Ji-young, a researcher at Kiwoom Securities, stated, "Nvidia's announcement of its entry into the AI PC market and positive U.S. manufacturing indicators are stimulating investment sentiment in semiconductors. However, given the recent concentration of funds in semiconductor and AI hardware sectors, we must also consider the potential for short-term profit-taking pressure and increased volatility." He added, "Currently, the market is driven more by AI narratives than by earnings. While expanding the share of leading semiconductor and IT hardware stocks remains a valid strategy, it may also be worth considering a barbell strategy that includes previously overlooked earnings stocks in sectors like securities, power equipment, and shipbuilding."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-02 09:48:00

SK Telecom Hits 52-Week High Following Jensen Huang's Remarks on Physical AI SK Telecom reached a 52-week high during trading after being highlighted as a key partner in the field of physical artificial intelligence (AI) by Jensen Huang, CEO of NVIDIA, during his keynote address. According to the Korea Exchange, as of 9:32 a.m., SK Telecom shares were trading at 122,800 won, up 10,600 won (9.45%) from the previous trading day. The stock opened at 126,000 won and briefly surged to 140,300 won, setting a new 52-week high. The stock's rise is attributed to Huang's mention of SK Telecom as a major partner in physical AI during NVIDIA's 'GTC Taipei 2026' event held the previous day in Taiwan. Industry sources noted that Huang's keynote address included a presentation of SK Telecom's digital twin technology utilizing NVIDIA's Omniverse. This technology is recognized as a core component of physical AI, allowing for the virtual representation of actual factories and equipment to pre-validate the impacts of process changes. This marks the second time SK Telecom has been featured in Huang's keynote, following an event in the United States in March. Additionally, the investment sentiment was likely boosted by a meeting between Chey Tae-won, chairman of SK Group, and Huang in Taipei the previous day. Huang is expected to visit South Korea later this week after completing his schedule at GTC Taipei 2026, marking his first trip to Korea in about seven months since the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) CEO Summit held in Gyeongju last October.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-02 09:48:00

WNMC 26: Publishers bet on loyalty as Google reign fades MARSEILLE, June 02 (AJP) - If there was one subject dominating side-stage conversations at the World News Media Congress, it was the future of discovery. Across sessions on search, advertising, content management and audience development, publishers and technology providers wrestled with the same question: what happens if Google can no longer deliver the traffic publishers have relied on for two decades? The answer, according to many speakers, is not simply to replace SEO with the latest acronym. AEO (Answer Engine Optimization) and GEO (Generative Engine Optimization) are rapidly becoming part of publishers' vocabulary, but industry leaders repeatedly warned that AI-driven discovery remains too small to compensate for declining search traffic. Instead, the industry's most urgent priority may be far simpler: build direct relationships with audiences before platform-driven traffic becomes even less reliable. The Great Search Transition During the session "Discovery: How to Rethink Search in the AI Era," media consultants Clara Soteras, Barry Adams and David Buttle outlined how search is evolving from a link-based ecosystem into an answer-based one. Google's AI Overviews and AI Mode, alongside ChatGPT Search and other AI assistants, are changing how people discover information. Rather than directing users to websites, these systems increasingly synthesize information directly into answers. The shift is forcing publishers to rethink long-established audience acquisition strategies. Publishers are experimenting with GEO and AEO techniques to improve visibility inside AI-generated responses. Yet speakers acknowledged that referrals from large language models remain tiny compared with traditional search traffic. Even publishers actively optimizing for ChatGPT visibility reported that LLM-driven traffic still accounts for less than one percent of overall audience acquisition. That reality creates a difficult transition period. Google's influence appears to be weakening, but AI platforms have not yet become meaningful traffic generators. As Barry Adams observed, the entire industry is effectively playing catch-up while the landscape continues to evolve. Loyalty Matters More Than Traffic The strongest consensus across multiple sessions was that traffic itself is becoming a less useful measure of success. Barry Adams argued that publishers should focus less on traffic acquisition and more on audience loyalty. Building habits, encouraging repeat visits and strengthening direct relationships are becoming more valuable than maximizing pageviews. The message resonated beyond the search session. At a panel hosted by Sparteo titled "The Augmented Publisher: How AI Is Redrawing Programmatic," speakers from Le Parisien and Reworld Media echoed similar concerns. Sophie Cassam Chenaï of Le Parisien noted that publishers can no longer depend on external platforms in the same way they once did. Search traffic is under pressure. Social referrals are declining. The only audience publishers can truly control is their direct audience. For publishers, this means investing in subscriptions, newsletters, apps, podcasts and products that encourage users to return voluntarily. The Web Is Under Pressure The panel highlighted a growing sense that the open web itself is facing structural challenges. Publishers are confronting declining audiences, unpredictable algorithms and increasing competition for attention. Several speakers stressed that traffic has become fluid and unreliable. Instead of chasing every platform shift, publishers increasingly want to capture users inside their own ecosystems. This explains why engagement has become a central metric. Success is no longer measured solely by reach. Increasingly, it is measured by frequency, loyalty and depth of interaction. One example discussed during the conference was Argentine publisher El Cronista's educational board game designed to teach families about personal finance. While far removed from traditional SEO, the project reflected a broader shift toward creating products and experiences that strengthen audience relationships. As one participant suggested, publishers must move from creating content merely to rank toward creating content and products that connect. AI Inside the Newsroom While AI is disrupting discovery, it is also helping publishers improve their own operations. Content management platform Melody showcased how publishers are integrating AI into editorial workflows while maintaining control over their content and data. One case study demonstrated how AI-powered content management can automatically classify articles, extract key information and suggest related content. Journalists remain responsible for editorial decisions, but repetitive tasks become significantly faster. Features include AI-generated headline suggestions, standfirst recommendations, automated tagging and content organization. Perhaps most interesting was the use of conversational search built directly into publisher archives. Rather than relying on traditional site navigation, readers can ask questions and explore years of content through a natural-language interface. The system is designed to avoid hallucinations by acknowledging when information cannot be found within the archive. According to the case study presented, improved navigation and content discovery helped increase pageviews significantly by surfacing more relevant content to readers. AI Will Not Save Weak Audience Strategies The conference's broader lesson was that AI alone will not solve publishers' business challenges. Whether discussing advertising, subscriptions, search or editorial operations, speakers repeatedly returned to fundamentals: good contents, strong brands, and audience relationship. AI may improve workflows, enhance discoverability and create new opportunities for engagement. But publishers that remain dependent on external platforms face the same strategic vulnerability they faced before generative AI arrived. The future may belong to GEO and AI-assisted discovery. But for now, the publishers making the most progress are focusing on something far less fashionable: earning loyalty. Because regardless of whether audiences arrive through Google, ChatGPT, social media or a newsletter, sustainable publishing businesses depend on readers choosing to come back. 2026-06-02 09:45:05

Namsun Aluminum Named GM's Supplier of the Year for 15th Consecutive Year SM Group's manufacturing subsidiary, Namsun Aluminum, has once again been named Supplier of the Year (SOY) by General Motors (GM), marking the 15th consecutive year it has received this honor. According to industry sources, Namsun Aluminum's automotive division was recognized at GM's 34th annual Supplier of the Year awards ceremony held recently in Austin, Texas. Jeong Soon-won, CEO of Namsun Aluminum's automotive division, attended the event to accept the award. The SOY award is given annually by GM to approximately 6,000 global partners based on a comprehensive evaluation of technology, innovation, supply stability, and sustainability. This year, a total of 103 companies, including 20 from South Korea, received the award. Namsun Aluminum's automotive division was commended for its key bumper systems and large injection molds supplied to GM Korea. A representative from SM Group stated, "In particular, there have been no issues with the Supplier Parts Quality System (SPPS) in the past year, and we achieved the highest rating of 'BIQS Level 5' in GM's quality evaluation system, which significantly contributed to our assessment." SPPS serves as a communication tool for suppliers and customers to resolve product quality issues. Jeong Soon-won remarked, "Being named SOY for 15 consecutive years is a testament to our consistent efforts in enhancing quality, developing new technologies, and ensuring stable supply. Our entire team has demonstrated that we are at the global top level in quality management." He added, "We will not rest on our laurels but will maximize our expertise and business know-how to become a more trusted partner in the global automotive parts market." Meanwhile, Namsun Aluminum, a core subsidiary of SM Group, focuses on manufacturing aluminum products such as windows and curtain walls, as well as supplying bumpers to GM Korea and others. Recently, it has expanded into eco-friendly and high-value markets, including solar structures and high-performance window systems.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-02 09:45:00

U.S. Navy Considers Building Warships in South Korea and Japan The United States is considering the option of constructing naval vessels at shipyards in South Korea and Japan. This move comes as delays in domestic shipbuilding have prompted the U.S. to explore the capabilities of its allied nations. The $1.85 billion requested for research and development may also be utilized for actual ship procurement from South Korean and Japanese shipyards. On June 1, local time, Breaking Defense reported that the U.S. Department of Defense has requested Congress to include $1.85 billion in naval research and development funding in the 2027 budget adjustment bill. This funding is ostensibly aimed at assessing whether allied shipyards in South Korea and Japan can produce combat vessels for the U.S. Navy. However, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) clarified that this funding is not merely for research. An OMB official told Breaking Defense, "No one uses the $1.85 billion solely for research; this money is actually for procuring ships." Depending on the manufacturer, this amount could cover the cost of an entire frigate, and considering the costs of destroyers built in South Korea or Japan, it could also serve as initial funding for procuring destroyers and cruisers. The proposed approach involves constructing key components of the vessels in South Korea or Japan, with U.S. defense contractors integrating the combat systems. Subsequently, the shipyards would either build new facilities in the U.S. or modernize existing ones to produce follow-on orders domestically. This strategy aims to leverage foreign shipyards in the short term while expanding U.S. shipbuilding capabilities. Companies under consideration include South Korea's Hanwha, HD Hyundai, and Samsung Heavy Industries, as well as Japan's Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Kawasaki Heavy Industries, and Japan Marine United (JMU). The OMB noted that South Korean and Japanese shipyards are capable of constructing advanced surface combatants more quickly and at lower costs than U.S. facilities, thanks to automation, robotics, and production modernization. The U.S. decision to explore allied shipyards is rooted in structural delays within its domestic shipbuilding industry. The U.S. Navy and Coast Guard rely on eight domestic shipbuilders for surface combatants and auxiliary vessels. However, labor shortages, supply chain vulnerabilities, outdated facilities, and production capacity constraints have delayed major ship projects. An OMB official stated, "Major ship projects in the U.S. are already delayed by one to four years, and simply allocating more budget to existing shipyards will not solve the problem." There is significant pushback from Congress. Lawmakers are concerned that utilizing foreign shipyards could harm U.S. shipbuilders and their supply chains. The budget adjustment bill is also controversial because it allows for less detailed congressional oversight compared to the general defense budget. Some lawmakers are pushing for amendments to the National Defense Authorization Act to prevent the use of funds for producing U.S. warships or key components overseas. Legal barriers remain as well. U.S. defense budgets typically include provisions prohibiting the construction of naval vessels at foreign shipyards. However, it has been suggested that funds allocated through the adjustment bill could be utilized if the president approves exceptions based on national security needs. The U.S. Navy also acknowledges the necessity of expanding production capacity. Admiral Daryl Caudle, Chief of Naval Operations, stated, "We need ships, we need them now, and we need production capacity." However, introducing foreign designs would require a reevaluation of operational, maintenance, and training systems, potentially complicating the integration of new classes into the U.S. Navy's fleet.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-02 09:45:00

Jung Won-oh Campaigns Across Seoul Ahead of Local Elections Jung Won-oh, the Democratic Party candidate for Seoul mayor, is intensifying his campaign across the city on June 2, just one day before the local elections.According to the Democratic Party's Seoul mayoral election campaign committee, Jung began his final day of campaigning at 6:30 a.m. with a visit to the Gangseo public bus depot. He then encouraged bus and subway workers at the Gimpo Vehicle Depot of Seoul Metro Line 9.His last morning greeting took place at Eunpyeong-gu's Nokbeon Station, where he urged citizens to participate in the upcoming vote. Afterward, he moved to Yonsei University's student union in Seodaemun-gu to have breakfast with students and engage in a walking campaign on campus. Jung held a joint press conference with Democratic Party candidates for district mayors in Seoul, urging last-minute voter participation. He also plans to meet with small business owners and artists in Munrae-dong, Yeongdeungpo-gu, where he announced his candidacy. Following that, he will visit various locations including Yeouido, Gyeongdong Market, Dongmyo Flea Market, Yaksu Market, Yongsan Yongmun Market, the cafe street in Hapjeong-dong, and Gyeongui Line Forest Park to rally support and encourage voting.A major rally will take place at Cheonggye Plaza at 7 p.m., featuring Democratic Party leader Jeong Cheong-rae and key figures from the campaign committee, aiming to consolidate support in the final hours.After the rally at Cheonggye Plaza, Jung will continue campaigning late into the night, visiting the food alley in Nonhyeon-dong, Cheonho Rodeo Street in Gangdong-gu, and Songpa Public Bus Depot to ask citizens for their support and gather feedback.The official campaign's final event will occur at 11:40 p.m. at the Bokjeong Station transfer center in Songpa-gu. At this event, Jung is expected to reflect on his campaign efforts and express his commitment to creating "a completely new Seoul." He will conclude his 13-day official campaign by taking the late-night bus 'N37' to Suseo Station.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-02 09:42:00

Netmarble to Open First Popup Store for 'Monster Taming: Stardive' at Starfield Hanam Netmarble announced on June 2 that it will host the first popup store for its monster-taming action RPG, "Monster Taming: Stardive," at Starfield Hanam. The popup store will operate from June 3 to June 7 in the Central Atrium on the first floor of Starfield Hanam. Visitors can participate in various interactive experiences, including "Monster Touch! Catch!", "Today's Monster", and a popularity vote for the game. Coins earned through these activities can be exchanged for various prizes. The store will also sell official merchandise for "Monster Taming: Stardive." Among the items debuting at the popup store are the "SD Acrylic Diorama" and "LD Acrylic Stand," along with the popular "Meow Cushion" that received positive feedback at gaming events like G-Star and Tokyo Game Show. A demonstration zone will allow visitors to play the game directly. Attendees can experience the action combat of "Monster Taming: Stardive" using portable gaming PCs (UMPCs). "Monster Taming: Stardive" is a sequel to the 2013 release "Monster Taming." It features high-quality graphics and storytelling based on Unreal Engine 5, along with real-time tag play in three-person parties. A Netmarble representative stated, "As this is the first popup store since the launch of 'Monster Taming: Stardive,' we have prepared a variety of engaging content and official merchandise for users to enjoy. We hope many users will visit and create special memories at the event." More information about the popup store and the game can be found on the official "Monster Taming: Stardive" website and forum.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-02 09:42:00

Shindongah Construction Wins First Urban Housing Project of the Year in Anyang Shindongah Construction, which recently completed its rehabilitation process, has secured its first urban housing redevelopment project of the year in Anyang, Gyeonggi Province. On June 2, Shindongah Construction announced that it has been selected as the contractor for the Bisan-dong urban housing redevelopment project. The project will involve the construction of two apartment buildings with a total of 124 units, along with 12 officetel units and community facilities, covering an area in Bisan-dong, specifically at 557-7. The total project cost is estimated at 50.4 billion won. The company plans to enhance the project's appeal by applying specialized designs from its apartment brand, 'Familie.' Kim Se-jun, president of Shindongah Construction, stated, "We will focus our bidding capabilities on relatively larger small-scale redevelopment projects and private participation in public housing projects to achieve sustainable growth." Shindongah Construction applied for court rehabilitation proceedings in January of last year due to liquidity issues stemming from a downturn in the construction market. However, it successfully concluded the rehabilitation process in October of the same year, finishing court management in about nine months. Recently, the company received an A- rating from NICE D&B, a corporate credit rating agency, and a BBB- rating from the Korea Housing and Urban Guarantee Corporation, indicating improved conditions for public project bidding and guarantee issuance. Founded in 1977, Shindongah Construction is a mid-sized construction firm known for its apartment brand 'Familie.' The company has participated in the construction of notable buildings such as the 63 Building in Yeouido and the LG Gwanghwamun Building, focusing on housing, architecture, and civil engineering projects. As of last year, it ranked 58th in construction capability evaluations. Additionally, mid-sized construction firms are increasingly focusing on smaller projects, such as urban housing redevelopment and private participation in public housing, to recover their performance, rather than pursuing large-scale reconstruction and redevelopment projects.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-02 09:39:00

Park Min-ji Achieves 20th KLPGA Victory, Jumps 57 Spots in World Ranking Park Min-ji has reached a significant milestone in her career by securing her 20th victory on the KLPGA Tour, resulting in a jump of 57 spots in the world rankings. As of June 2, Park is ranked 104th in the latest women's golf world rankings, a notable rise from the previous week. She achieved this milestone by winning the Shinhyup Bank MBN Women's Open on May 31 at The Star Hill Golf & Resort in Yangpyeong, South Korea. This victory places her alongside the late Gu Ok-hee and Shin Ji-ae as one of only three players in KLPGA history to reach 20 wins. It marks the first time since Shin Ji-ae in 2010 that a player has achieved this feat in 16 years. Park's last win on the KLPGA Tour was nearly two years ago at the Celltrion Queens Masters in June 2024. Since beginning her professional career in 2017, Park reached a career-high world ranking of 12th in 2022. In related news, Joo Soo-bin, who tied for 4th place at the ShopRite LPGA, moved up 42 spots to rank 210th. The top three positions in the world rankings remain unchanged, with Nelly Korda of the United States at number one, followed by Atthaya Thitikul of Thailand in second, and Kim Hyo-joo in third.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-02 09:39:00