Middle East Conflict Drives Inflation to 26-Month High The impact of rising oil prices due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East has led to a significant increase in consumer prices, reaching their highest level in 26 months. The surge in oil prices has spread to transportation and travel services, raising the cost of living for consumers. According to the National Data Agency's report on consumer price trends for May 2026, the consumer price index rose to 119.92 (2020=100), marking a 3.1% increase compared to the same month last year. This is the first time since March 2024 that the inflation rate has surpassed 3%. Inflation has steadily increased from 2.0% in February, 2.2% in March, and 2.6% in April, reaching 3.1% in May. Analysts suggest that the rise above 3% indicates the beginning of the domestic impact from the prolonged conflict in the Middle East and the subsequent increase in international oil prices. In May, oil prices soared by 24.2% compared to the same month last year, contributing 0.92 percentage points to the overall inflation rate. This marks the highest increase since July 2022, when oil prices rose by 35.2%. Gasoline prices increased by 23.1%, while diesel prices surged by 33.3%, both recording their largest increases since July 2022. The rise in oil prices has also pushed up costs in transportation and travel-related services. Transportation prices rose by 11.6%, and international airfares skyrocketed by 33.5%, the highest increase since records began in 1995. Prices for group travel abroad, domestic airfares, car rentals, and hotel accommodations also rose, intensifying inflationary pressures. A representative from the National Data Agency stated, "The increase in oil prices due to the war has been significant, and the rise in travel-related service prices coincided with the May holidays and increased travel demand. This inflation reflects the impact of supply-side shocks." The living cost index, which reflects the cost of living, rose by 3.3% compared to the same month last year, the highest level since April 2024 (3.6%). Excluding food, the living cost index increased by 4.2%, adding to consumer burdens. Conversely, the prices of vegetables and fruits stabilized, leading to a 1.4% decline in the fresh food index. Agricultural products fell by 0.8%, but prices for livestock and seafood rose by 5.8% and 5.0%, respectively, resulting in an overall increase of 2.2% for agricultural and marine products. However, the National Data Agency emphasized that the impact of high oil prices has not yet spread to dining out or processed foods. A representative noted, "Unlike during the Russia-Ukraine war, we are currently experiencing supply shocks amid weakened demand. We need to monitor whether the rise in oil prices in the second half of the year will affect other items."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-02 08:24:00

Bitcoin Price Drops to $71,000 Amid Middle East Tensions Bitcoin's price fell to around $71,000 as U.S.-Iran peace negotiations faced significant challenges. According to CoinMarketCap, Bitcoin was trading at $71,265, down 3.60% from the previous day as of 8 a.m. The decline is attributed to Iran's announcement of a halt in dialogue with the U.S. in protest against Israel's military actions in Lebanon, which has stalled peace talks. Yonhap News reported that Iranian news outlet Tasnim stated on June 1 that Iran's negotiating team stopped exchanging messages with the U.S. regarding a peace agreement due to Israel's aggression. The Iranian Foreign Ministry also issued a statement blaming the U.S. for Israel's ceasefire violations, suggesting the possibility of retaliation. Additionally, the recent sale of approximately $2.5 million worth of Bitcoin by the world's largest Bitcoin holder, 'Strategic,' has added downward pressure on prices. This marked the first sale by Strategic in over three years, since December 2022. Major altcoins also experienced declines. Ethereum, the second-largest by market capitalization, fell 0.53% to $2,000, while Ripple (XRP) dropped 2.80% to $1.29. Solana (SOL) was down 1.45% at $81.22. The cryptocurrency market sentiment, as indicated by the Fear and Greed Index, showed a fear level of 31. This index ranges from 0, indicating extreme fear, to 100, indicating extreme optimism. At the same time, on the domestic exchange Bithumb, Bitcoin was trading at approximately 1,004,000 won ($68,907), down 1.13% from the previous day. The 'Kimchi Premium' was recorded at -3.19%, indicating that Bitcoin prices in South Korea are lower than those abroad.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-02 08:21:00

LG Uplus Supports MVNO Partnerships for Veterans Discount App LG Uplus announced on June 2 that it is facilitating partnerships between small mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs) and the "Veterans Market" discount app, aimed at providing benefits for national veterans and discharged soldiers. This initiative is part of a broader effort to offer practical options for reducing communication costs for veterans while supporting the operational environment for small MVNOs. While LG Uplus will not directly sell plans or participate in contracts, it will play a connecting role to ensure smooth collaboration between the small MVNOs and the app's operators. Through this memorandum of understanding (MOU), new MVNO plans will be introduced in the "Veterans Market" app by mid-June. The participating companies include Eyes Vision, Ins Korea, and Chance Mobile, which will collectively offer 24 MVNO plans, with eight plans from each provider. Discounts on these plans will range from approximately 20% to 30%, and promotional offers will be available for about three months. Park Dae-yong, LG Uplus MVNO Business Manager, stated, "This collaboration provides veterans with valuable options for communication costs while also supporting small MVNOs in reaching customers reliably. We will continue to explore partnerships that consider both social value and the support of the industry ecosystem." The "Veterans Market" is a discount service exclusively for veterans' families, operated jointly by the Ministry of Veterans Affairs and the Small Business Association. Launched in November last year, it is available to veterans, their families, and discharged soldiers under the age of 39.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-02 08:21:00

President Lee: Deliberate Spread of False Information Must Be Punished President Lee Jae-myung stated on June 2 that those who deliberately spread false information that causes social chaos and economic harm must be identified and punished. The president made these remarks while sharing an article about the police's investigation into the dissemination of false claims regarding a supposed government mandate to sell dollars. "Spreading false information that harms the public is not a matter of free speech, nor is it something to be tolerated," President Lee said. He added, "Even if it is done as a joke or for fun, actions that kill people and destroy the order and values of the community must be treated as serious crimes and punished accordingly." He also expressed his appreciation for the diligent police investigation team, saying, "I should send them some pizza." * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-02 08:18:00

Jensen Huang Effect Boosts AI Value Chain Stocks in South Korea ◆ Aju Economic Major News ▷ 'Jensen Huang Effect' Sparks Surge in AI Value Chain Stocks - The visit of Jensen Huang, CEO of NVIDIA, has led to a buying frenzy across the AI value chain in South Korea, causing significant gains in semiconductor, robotics, cloud, and platform-related stocks. - Samsung Electronics shares rose 10.09% following Huang's announcement that the company's memory will be integrated into the next-generation AI accelerator, 'Vera Rubin,' resulting in an increase of approximately 187 trillion won in market capitalization in just one day. - Analysts believe that the importance of memory semiconductors, such as HBM and DRAM, will grow as AI investments expand, enhancing the strategic value of Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix. - Stocks related to robotics, AI infrastructure, and cloud services, including Doosan Robotics, LG Electronics, LG HelloVision, LG CNS, Samsung SDS, and Naver, also surged, indicating that the AI investment theme is spreading beyond semiconductors to the broader industry. - The securities industry notes that the collaboration between NVIDIA and South Korean companies is expanding from memory to areas such as robotics, mobility, and data centers, highlighting South Korea's potential as a key hub in the global AI supply chain. ◆ Major Reports ▷ Mid-sized and Small Companies - IPO: Surge at the End of the First Half - June marks the traditional peak season for IPOs, with listings for Piece Piece Studio, Justech, StradVision, Big Wave Robotics, Mad Up, and Lemon Healthcare scheduled for demand forecasting and public subscription. Preliminary review applications are also expected to be active. - Following their listings, 25 companies, including Inventera, are set to have their lock-up periods expire, with Cosmos Robotics, Kanaph Therapeutics, IM BioLogics, and Semifive facing higher volatility due to significant amounts of shares being released. - Korea Investment & Securities highlights Lemon Healthcare as a key stock for June. The company operates the healthcare data platform 'Silson24,' which simplifies claims for real insurance. - Lemon Healthcare boasts a strong market position and customer retention, supported by its medical data relay platform (LDB-H) with over 80% market share among top hospitals and its platform (LDB-E) connecting insurers, pharmacies, and pharmaceutical companies. - Although Lemon Healthcare recorded an operating loss last year due to the completion of the Silson24 project, it is expected to turn a profit this year with projected revenues of 24.2 billion won (a 51.6% increase from the previous year) and an operating profit of 6.6 billion won, driven by maintenance and API usage fees. ◆ Major Announcements After Market Close (June 1) ▷ Korea Wire, Hanseon Engineering decides to dispose of 20 billion won worth of shares. ▷ Moa Data announces a 2-for-1 stock consolidation, with new shares listed on August 13. ▷ Moa Life Plus announces a 2-for-1 stock consolidation, with new shares listed on August 11. ▷ Softcen's first preferred stock faces designation as a management issue. ▷ KCC Construction reports a fatal accident involving a worker at the Opus Hangang Switchen site. ▷ TS Investment's stock trading will be suspended from June 5 due to stock consolidation. ▷ Korea BTV's stock trading will be suspended from June 4 due to stock consolidation. ◆ Fund Trends (as of May 29, excluding ETFs) ▷ Domestic Equity: -24.9 billion won ▷ Overseas Equity: +2.4 billion won ◆ Key Schedule for Today (June 2) ▷ South Korea: Consumer Price Index (May) ▷ Eurozone: Consumer Price Index (May) ▷ United States: JOLTs Job Openings Report (April)* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-02 08:09:00

Yang Sang-guk Opens Up About Attitude Controversy Comedian Yang Sang-guk has shared his feelings following a recent controversy regarding his attitude. In an episode of TV Chosun's "Lovers of Joseon" aired on June 1, Yang met with his colleague Park Young-jin. During their conversation, Park said, "I haven't had that experience, so I don't know what advice to give, but I thought, 'Yang Sang-guk must be blaming himself.'" Yang responded, "This is my first experience like this. It's the first time I've received this much love and this much criticism. It would be a lie to say it's not hard." He added, "I used to think that I had to be proactive on air to survive. In my eagerness to make people laugh, I acted excessively and made mistakes in the process. Now, I have many thoughts about how to maintain a certain line." Kim Gook-jin, who was watching from the studio, encouraged him, saying, "Through such processes, you’re not just maintaining the line but expanding it." Previously, on May 2, during a segment on the YouTube channel "Tteun Tteun," Nam Chang-hee mentioned, "I see my wife off every day because we are newlyweds." Yang replied, "That's a risky behavior. Men from Seoul tend to do that. They always take their dates home, but I've never taken my girlfriend home." Yoo Jae-suk chimed in, saying, "Even if it's not every day, wouldn't it be good to take your girlfriend home sometimes? If you love her, don't you want to spend more time together?" However, Yang disagreed, stating, "I usually listen to what you say, but I don't think this is right. I'm someone who dreams of marriage. It's not the age for kids to be dating." He also remarked that after several attempts by Yoo to persuade him, he said, "Yoo Jae-suk, if you say it one more time, I will get angry," which sparked controversy.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-02 08:03:00

Anthropic Files for Confidential IPO, Outpacing OpenAI in Listing Process AI startup Anthropic has submitted confidential documents for its initial public offering (IPO). The company, which has been chasing OpenAI in terms of valuation and the enterprise AI market, is now taking the lead in the listing process. According to Bloomberg News on June 1, Anthropic filed preliminary IPO documents the previous day. The company stated on its blog that the number of shares and the pricing have yet to be determined. The listing could occur as early as this fall. Bloomberg reported that this filing gives Anthropic a chance to enter the stock market ahead of OpenAI, which is also preparing to submit its own confidential IPO documents within weeks, aiming for a fall listing. Recently, Anthropic has gained prominence in valuation and demand for enterprise AI. Last week, the company secured a $65 billion investment, raising its post-investment valuation to $965 billion. This marks the first time Anthropic's valuation has surpassed that of OpenAI, according to Bloomberg. The foundation for this growth lies in the enterprise AI market. Anthropic has enhanced its performance in coding and cybersecurity with its product Claude, which has helped it attract more corporate clients. Bloomberg estimates that Anthropic's revenue for the second quarter could reach $10.9 billion, more than double the previous quarter's figures. Revenue expectations have also rapidly increased. Anthropic reportedly informed investors that its annualized revenue could exceed $50 billion by the end of June, a significant jump from $4 billion in annualized revenue last July. The company is also anticipating its first profit in the second quarter. Despite the optimistic outlook for its IPO, challenges remain. Anthropic is engaged in a legal dispute with the U.S. government over the Department of Defense's designation of the company as a supply chain risk, claiming this action could impact billions of dollars in revenue. OpenAI has distanced itself from the IPO competition narrative. In a CNBC interview, CEO Sam Altman stated that they would proceed with an IPO when it makes sense. However, Bloomberg noted that reports of OpenAI restructuring its product lineup and management have raised questions about its growth potential, as some internal revenue and user targets have not been met. The IPO preparations among AI companies are intertwined with the competition for funding. Anthropic, OpenAI, and SpaceX are all pursuing public listings. Entering the public market would allow them to tap into a broader investor base, making it easier for early investors and employees to cash out their holdings.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-02 07:48:00

German Chancellor Merz Proposes European Summit to Address NATO Concerns German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is pushing for a summit of European leaders ahead of the NATO summit in July. This initiative comes as U.S. President Donald Trump intensifies pressure on NATO, prompting Europe to signal its commitment to taking on greater defense responsibilities. According to Bloomberg on June 1, Merz is working to organize a so-called "E5" summit in Berlin this month. The E5 refers to the five major European countries: Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Italy, and Poland. The goal of the meeting is to prepare a package that demonstrates the European allies' commitment to increasing their own defense burdens. Sources familiar with the matter told Bloomberg that the E5 leaders plan to coordinate their message to the U.S. ahead of the NATO summit scheduled for July 7-8 in Ankara, Turkey. Merz also intends to invite NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg to the meeting, although specific dates have yet to be determined. A spokesperson for the German government stated, "At this point, the schedule for the E5 summit has not been set." He added that European and U.S. allies are coordinating through various channels to respond to the current situation, and the U.S. is closely monitoring Europe's defense efforts. This move comes amid escalating tensions between the U.S. and Europe regarding the conflict in Iran, which has spilled over into NATO discussions. President Trump has criticized European allies for not sufficiently cooperating with the U.S.-led efforts in the Iran conflict and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz since the U.S. and Israel launched attacks on Iran at the end of February. European leaders have distanced themselves from publicly supporting Trump, arguing that he did not adequately consult them before initiating military action in Iran. Merz has criticized Trump’s lack of a coherent war strategy, stating that the U.S. negotiating team has been humiliated by Iran, which has made him a direct target of Trump's ire. Following this, Trump announced plans to withdraw more than 5,000 U.S. troops stationed in Germany, further escalating tensions between the two nations over military presence. Defense ministers from the E5 countries are also preparing for a separate meeting. Bloomberg reported that they will convene in Paris on June 12 to discuss a unified stance for the July NATO summit and address command structure issues in light of escalating conflicts in Europe. Europe has already committed to increasing defense spending. NATO member states agreed at last year’s summit in the Netherlands, excluding Spain, to allocate 5% of their GDP to defense-related investments. Germany is also increasing its military budget. In April, Merz stated, "This alliance is irreplaceable for the time being," emphasizing his commitment to maintaining the U.S. defense pledge to Europe through NATO while also advocating for increased defense spending and enhanced European responsibilities.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-02 07:39:00

NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang Open to Hosting GTC in Seoul, Emphasizes Robotics Investment NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang expressed interest in potentially hosting the company’s AI conference, GTC, in Seoul. During his visit to Taiwan, he also mentioned the possibility of meeting with major South Korean business leaders, suggesting that a second gathering could involve enjoying samgyeopsal, a popular Korean dish. On June 1, Huang addressed questions about the GTC event during a dinner for South Korean companies, stating, "If Korea wants it, I would be happy to hold GTC here." The GTC is NVIDIA's flagship AI developer conference, recognized for setting the technological direction of the global AI ecosystem. Huang also indicated a willingness to expand investments in South Korea, saying, "We will always consider investing in Korea. The country has an excellent ecosystem, and the companies are very impressive." He highlighted robotics as a promising field for investment, noting, "I believe robotics is very important for Korea. I hope NVIDIA can contribute to the development of robotics in the country." He added, "Korea has great imagination, creativity, and ambition, but its workforce is declining. AI and robots can maximize Korea's potential." Huang reflected on NVIDIA's long-standing relationship with Korea, stating, "Korea has been a hub for e-sports and PC culture for a long time, and it has been very close to me since the early days of GeForce." This underscores the significance of the Korean gaming ecosystem and PC culture in NVIDIA's growth. During his visit, Huang is expected to meet with prominent figures such as Chey Tae-won, chairman of SK Group; Chung Eui-sun, chairman of Hyundai Motor Group; Koo Kwang-mo, chairman of LG Group; and Lee Hae-jin, chairman of Naver. However, he declined to comment on specific meetings with Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix. Huang also made light of his interactions with South Korean business leaders, joking, "The most important thing is to eat chicken and samgyeopsal in Korea." This comment suggests that, following last year's chicken dinner with business leaders, a samgyeopsal gathering may be on the horizon. Regarding the purpose of his visit, Huang noted, "This year, NVIDIA and our partners in Korea have achieved great results. I expect the second half of this year and next year to be very busy, so I came to prepare for that." He also congratulated SK Hynix for surpassing a market capitalization of $1 trillion, expressing pride and happiness in witnessing their success. 2026-06-02 07:39:00

Trump: Agreement on Iran War Ceasefire MOU Possible Within a Week Donald Trump, the President of the United States, stated that an agreement on a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to end the war in Iran could be reached within a week. In a phone interview with ABC News on June 1, Trump expressed optimism about the ceasefire negotiations, saying, "I believe we can reach an agreement on the MOU within the next week." He noted that "Iran wants an agreement," but did not specify the conditions for the agreement or when a final signature might occur. The MOU serves as an initial agreement that would pave the way for subsequent negotiations to end the conflict. ABC reported that the U.S. and Iran are discussing a framework to resolve the impasse in the Strait of Hormuz and to schedule comprehensive nuclear agreement talks. The current draft reportedly includes provisions for easing Iran's control over the Strait of Hormuz, lifting U.S. port sanctions on Iran, and addressing issues related to Iran's nuclear program. However, specific terms are expected to be discussed in follow-up negotiations over the next 30 days. No official agreement has yet been reached. ABC noted that while both sides have exchanged several drafts, it remains uncertain whether the Iranian regime has reached a consensus to move forward with a final agreement.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-02 07:27:00