People Power Party to Elect New Floor Leader on June 9 Amid Controversy The People Power Party will elect its next floor leader on June 9, just four days after the abrupt resignation of Song Eon-seok on June 5. Some members have expressed strong opposition, suggesting that the expedited election schedule is designed to favor a specific candidate.According to Yonhap News on June 6, the party announced that candidate registration will be open until June 7, with voting scheduled for 10 a.m. on June 9.So far, three candidates have declared their intentions to run: four-term lawmaker Kim Do-eup, and three-term lawmakers Jeong Jeom-sik and Seong Il-jong. Among them, Kim and Seong have argued for delaying the election schedule.Seong stated on social media on June 5, "Most lawmakers, who are the voters in this election, heard about this schedule for the first time this afternoon. They do not know who set this tight schedule or why. I hope the election can be postponed to next Thursday or Friday."The reform-oriented group 'Alternatives and Future,' primarily composed of first- and second-term lawmakers, also issued a statement the day before, criticizing the process by saying, "Electing a floor leader in this manner raises suspicions that specific factions colluded in secret to select a particular candidate."Kim Jong-hyuk, a former Supreme Council member aligned with the pro-Yoon faction, claimed, "The reason for Song Eon-seok's resignation is obvious. With Han Dong-hoon emerging, the People Power Party lawmakers are anxious, so they want to quickly hold the floor leader election to maintain the pro-Yoon leadership."In relation to this, Song Eon-seok reportedly wrote in a group chat that there are urgent issues such as a shortage of ballots and the allocation of standing committee positions in the upcoming negotiations for the second half of the year, emphasizing the need for a new floor leader to be elected as soon as possible, according to chief spokesperson Park Seong-hoon.Song is expected to meet with lawmakers Kim, Jeong, and Seong on June 7, the candidate registration deadline, to explain his reasoning. The party leadership has stated that since the election schedule has already been confirmed by the party's election management committee, it will proceed as planned.Park told reporters on the same day, "Since the announcement from the election management committee was made today, any changes or postponements would require a new decision from the committee, and the possibility of postponement has not been discussed."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-06 16:57:00

Election Commission Reports Data Breach of Voter Registration Records The Personal Information Protection Commission has received a report from the Central Election Management Commission regarding a data breach involving voter registration records found at the Jamsil polling station in Songpa District, Seoul. According to Yonhap News on June 6, the Central Election Management Commission reported the incident to the Personal Information Protection Commission around 8:30 p.m. on June 5. The Jamsil polling station was previously the site of a ballot shortage during the 9th nationwide local elections, where protesters and some citizens delayed the transport of ballot boxes for two days. Police intervened on June 5, allowing the ballot boxes to be moved to the counting center. Afterward, protesters entered an empty polling station, where they discovered voter registration records and marking tools left behind by the election commission. The records, which included names and genders of voters, were intended as waiting tickets for voters who could not cast their ballots immediately due to the shortage. The protesters filmed the documents and broadcast the information live online, exposing personal data. The Personal Information Protection Commission is currently investigating how the voter registration records were exposed and whether the election commission failed to secure the documents properly. A commission official stated in a phone interview with Yonhap News, "We plan to verify the overall facts with the election commission, including whether the materials distributed to voters were exposed externally or if information that should have been secured by the election commission was leaked." Based on the findings, the commission will assess potential violations of the Personal Information Protection Act and consider necessary follow-up actions. 2026-06-06 16:36:00

NVIDIA's Jensen Huang Meets South Korean Business Leaders Amid AI Boom NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang's visit to South Korea has prompted major business leaders in the country to gather for discussions. Just a decade ago, NVIDIA was primarily known as a manufacturer of graphics cards for gaming. However, with the advent of generative artificial intelligence (AI), the company has transformed into a key provider of infrastructure for the global AI industry, closely linking with South Korean semiconductor and IT firms. SK Hynix and Samsung Electronics are now major partners for NVIDIA, supplying high-bandwidth memory (HBM), a critical component for AI semiconductors. Domestic companies like Naver and LG are also expanding their collaboration with NVIDIA as they work on building AI data centers and implementing sovereign AI strategies. Industry experts view Huang's visit as more than just a friendly meeting; it is seen as a step toward strengthening AI supply chain collaboration. NVIDIA requires a stable HBM supply chain, while South Korean firms are eager to leverage NVIDIA's AI infrastructure and technology to remain competitive in the global AI landscape. Huang's long-term strategy has positioned NVIDIA at the center of the AI industry. Founded in 1993, NVIDIA initially focused on designing graphics processing units (GPUs) for PCs, which were then seen primarily as auxiliary chips for smooth gaming visuals. Huang recognized the potential of GPUs for large-scale parallel computing and identified them as a key asset for future computing. This vision culminated in the launch of CUDA in 2006, a programming platform that allowed GPUs to be used beyond graphics processing for scientific calculations and machine learning. Initially met with skepticism, the landscape shifted dramatically in 2012 when the University of Toronto's deep learning model, AlexNet, won the ImageNet Large Scale Visual Recognition Challenge using NVIDIA GPUs. This success confirmed GPUs as essential tools for AI advancement. Subsequently, global AI companies like Google, Meta, and OpenAI adopted GPU-based learning systems, establishing CUDA as the de facto standard for AI development. Today, millions of researchers and developers worldwide build AI solutions within the NVIDIA ecosystem. As a result, NVIDIA is now regarded as the dominant player in the AI accelerator market for data centers. While major tech companies like Google, Meta, and Microsoft are developing their own AI chips, analysts suggest that replacing NVIDIA's comprehensive hardware, software, and developer ecosystem will be a significant challenge. For South Korean firms, NVIDIA represents more than just a business partner; it is a critical player in the AI infrastructure landscape. Collaborations across semiconductors, cloud services, data centers, and AI services are directly linked to competitive advantage. Recently, Huang emphasized the importance of national AI capabilities, stating, "No country can import intelligence 100%." This underscores the significance of strengthening AI supply chain partnerships with South Korean companies during his visit.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-06 16:33:00

CU Convenience Store Delivery Service Suffers Data Breach from Hacker Attack CU Convenience Store's delivery service has experienced a data breach, revealing the personal information of online customers due to a hacker attack.According to Yonhap News on June 6, BGF Networks, which operates the CU delivery service, confirmed in a notice on its website that an unidentified hacker gained unauthorized access to its system at approximately 3:30 PM on June 4, leading to the leak of customer data.The leaked information includes usernames, passwords, names, birth dates, genders, addresses, email addresses, and mobile phone numbers.BGF Networks stated that it immediately blocked the attack's IP address and completed security measures. The company has also activated its incident response team and is reviewing its security policies. They have reported the incident to relevant authorities, including the Personal Information Protection Commission and the Korea Internet & Security Agency (KISA).BGF Networks assured that while passwords are encrypted and secure, customers who use the same password across multiple sites should change their passwords for safety. The company expressed its deep apologies for the incident.However, they clarified that information about third parties, such as recipients entered during shipping, was not included in the breach. In a message sent to customers, BGF Networks stated, "The leaked personal information pertains only to online member customers and does not include information about third parties such as recipients entered during shipping."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-06 15:39:00

Seoul's triathlon festival lets participants go at their own pace SEOUL, June 06 (AJP) - Seoul’s “My Pace Hangang Triathlon Festival” kicked off its third edition on June 5 at Ttukseom and Jamsil Han River Parks, running through June 7. The sports festival challenges participants to complete swimming, cycling and running courses at their own pace, with no rankings or time pressure. This year's edition expanded its offerings with the addition of a new intermediate course alongside the existing beginner and advanced options. A 1km swimming course for foreign participants was also newly introduced. The beginner course consists of a 200–300m swim, 10km cycle, and 5km run, while the advanced course covers a 1km open-water swim across the Han River, a 20km cycle, and a 10km run. Registration costs 30,000 won, with morning (9–11 a.m.) and afternoon (1–5 p.m.) slots available. A highlight of this year's festival was "Hachi Island," a large floating structure shaped like Hachi, Seoul's official mascot, anchored on the Han River. Visitors could enjoy the aquatic playground built around it. On opening day, additional events included a drone light show, a non-alcoholic beer and chicken party, and a riverside concert by the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra. The festival is also the flagship event of Seoul's year-round festival brand "Fun Seoul." Last year's edition drew 30,000 race participants and 660,000 total visitors. 2026-06-06 15:16:15

Korea Maritime and Ocean University opens guesthouse for BTS concertgoers in Busan SEOUL, June 06 (AJP) - Korea Maritime and Ocean University will open part of its campus guesthouse to visitors traveling to Busan for BTS’ upcoming concerts, joining the city’s campaign to provide fair and affordable accommodation during major events. The university said Saturday it will participate in Busan Metropolitan City’s “Fair Accommodation Challenge” ahead of BTS World Tour ‘Arirang’ in Busan, scheduled for June 12 and 13 at Busan Asiad Main Stadium. The concerts are expected to draw a large number of fans from across South Korea and overseas, prompting local authorities to step up efforts to curb unlicensed lodging and excessive price hikes during the event period. Under the plan, the university will temporarily operate 14 rooms at its Ara Hall guesthouse in Yeongdo District as accommodation for concertgoers. The rooms include one single room and 13 double rooms, allowing up to 27 domestic visitors to stay for 50,000 won ($32) per night. The Fair Accommodation Challenge is a public-private campaign led by Busan City to provide visitors with transparent and reasonably priced lodging during large-scale international and cultural events. Local universities, religious groups and public institutions have joined the initiative by opening unused lodging facilities or offering rooms at free or discounted rates. The campaign comes as Busan prepares citywide programs for the BTS concerts, including welcome events, tourism programs and fan-oriented activities across major transport hubs, tourist sites and public venues. The university said it decided to share its campus infrastructure, including guesthouse facilities overlooking the sea, to support Busan’s efforts to strengthen its appeal as a cultural and tourism city. “As a national university, we have a responsibility to support the local community,” President Ryoo Dong-keun said. “We will continue to fulfill our social responsibility beyond the boundaries of the campus.” 2026-06-06 15:06:35

President Lee Visits Veterans at Central Veterans Hospital President Lee Jae-myung visited the Central Veterans Hospital on June 6 after attending the Memorial Day ceremony, where he met with veterans receiving treatment.Deputy Spokesperson Ahn Gyu-ryeong provided details of the president's visit in a written briefing.The Central Veterans Hospital, established in 1961 under the Korea Veterans Welfare Medical Corporation, offers medical care and rehabilitation services to veterans. It operates a regional emergency medical center and provides integrated nursing and medical services.Upon arrival, President Lee and First Lady Kim Hye-kyung received a warm welcome from veterans and their families. The president greeted each patient individually, inquiring about their well-being and even kneeling to shake hands with those in wheelchairs.The couple then moved to the seventh-floor ward of the Central Building, guided by Hospital Director Shin Ho-cheol, where they met with veterans to check on their treatment progress and health status, offering words of comfort.President Lee expressed deep gratitude for their sacrifices and dedication to the nation, wishing them a speedy recovery. During the visit, a light-hearted exchange occurred when Vietnam War veteran Hwang Dae-sik, who served in the White Horse Division, remarked, "The hospital is very comfortable and nice." President Lee responded, "But you should recover quickly and be discharged," prompting laughter in the room.The president reiterated his appreciation, stating, "Thanks to your sacrifices and dedication, South Korea is recognized as a country in the world today." First Lady Kim also wished the veterans good health.After concluding their visit, the president and first lady stopped by the nursing station to encourage the medical staff and express their gratitude for their hard work.President Lee emphasized that honoring veterans is a fundamental duty of the state and urged that veterans and their families be carefully looked after to ensure they have a comfortable experience during their hospital stay.Additionally, the president and first lady presented gift sets of red ginseng to approximately 8,800 veterans and their families currently hospitalized in veterans hospitals and affiliated medical institutions across the country.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-06 14:42:00

Conflicting Evaluations of Local Election Results by People Power Party Leadership The leadership of the People Power Party has expressed conflicting evaluations of the results from the June 3 local elections, revealing internal divisions. Amid discussions about the accountability of leader Jang Dong-hyuk for the electoral defeat, differing opinions emerged among the Supreme Council members. According to Yonhap News on June 6, during an emergency Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly, Shin Dong-wook, a member of the ruling faction, stated, "The public has issued a stern mandate to both the ruling and opposition parties." He emphasized that compared to the local elections following the impeachment of former President Park Geun-hye in 2018, the party could be seen as having performed significantly well in this election. He further criticized factions opposing Jang Dong-hyuk, saying, "I clearly oppose linking this issue to party leadership and distorting the public's judgment with various political interpretations." In contrast, Woo Jae-jun, a member of the pro-Han Dong-hoon faction, acknowledged, "The June 3 local elections are over. We take the public sentiment seriously," adding, "I apologize as a member of the leadership for not being able to provide significant support to our candidates." After the meeting, he told reporters, "What more is there to say? It is correct to say we did not help." Jang did not provide a separate statement regarding the election results during the Supreme Council meeting. Chief Spokesperson Park Seong-hoon told reporters before the meeting that Jang is listening to the voices of many lawmakers amid calls for him to take responsibility for the election defeat and step down. He noted that Jang had previously stated that his political life depended on winning the mayoral elections in Seoul and Busan. When asked if the overall local election results should be viewed as a defeat following the loss in the Busan mayoral race, he simply replied, "We will humbly accept the voices of the public revealed through the election."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-06 14:15:00

Kim Jong-un inspects sea trial of destroyer ahead of Xi visit SEOUL, June 06 (AJP) - North Korean leader Kim Jong-un inspected a sea trial of the Kang Kon, a new 5,000-ton destroyer that was once damaged during a ceremony, and called for strengthening naval forces as part of the country’s nuclear war deterrent, state media reported Saturday. The Korean Central News Agency said Kim visited the destroyer on Thursday as it began operational tests and observed its navigation test. Photos released by North Korean state media showed Kim accompanied by his daughter, Ju-ae. Kim boarded the Kang Kon and inspected its combat duty areas, including the command center, while reviewing its sea trial plan and schedule for testing onboard weapons systems, according to KCNA. He praised the crew’s ability to operate the vessel and expressed satisfaction with its maneuverability, saying its cruising and high-speed operation systems were “very good” and capable of meeting operational requirements. “We can deter war and defend peace only when we possess strong and practical military power capable of responsibly exercising military sovereignty in any space on land, at sea and in the air,” Kim was quoted as saying by KCNA. “This is the unchanging position of our party and national defense policy.” Kim said strengthening the navy as a force capable of supporting the country’s nuclear deterrent and striking enemies at sea and underwater was a core task under the party’s new five-year defense policy. He also referred to plans under a five-year naval modernization program approved at the ninth party congress earlier this year, including the development and production of what North Korea called “underwater secret weapons” and the construction of a new 10,000-ton destroyer. The reference marked an apparent expansion of North Korea’s naval ambitions. In March, Kim mentioned plans for an 8,000-ton destroyer while inspecting another new 5,000-ton destroyer, the Choe Hyon, but this time he pointed to a larger 10,000-ton-class vessel. South Korea’s newest Aegis destroyer, the Jeongjo the Great-class, has a displacement of 8,200 tons. Kim urged officials and technicians involved in naval weapons development to commission the Choe Hyon and Kang Kon into the navy “as soon as possible.” The latest naval display came just days before Chinese President Xi Jinping is set to make a state visit to North Korea from June 8 to 9 for talks with Kim, in what would be Xi’s first trip to Pyongyang in nearly seven years. The timing suggests Pyongyang may be seeking to showcase its expanding military capabilities ahead of the summit with its key ally. The Kang Kon was damaged during a launch ceremony in May last year after the vessel tilted and ran aground while being moved into the water. Kim, who witnessed the accident on site, denounced it as a “serious accident and a criminal act” and ordered punishment for those responsible. North Korea salvaged the vessel and held another launch ceremony just 22 days after the accident, but questions had persisted over whether the ship was fully operational. The latest photos released by North Korean media showed the Kang Kon sailing at sea about a year after its relaunch. 2026-06-06 14:09:29

Jang Dong-hyuk Calls for Immediate Investigation into Ballot Shortage Jang Dong-hyuk, leader of the People Power Party, called for an immediate national investigation and the establishment of a special prosecutor's office to thoroughly investigate the ballot shortage that occurred during the June 3 local elections. According to Yonhap News, Jang made these remarks during an emergency Supreme Council meeting at the National Assembly on June 6. He expressed skepticism about the Election Commission's announcements, stating, "We cannot know how many more incidents like this have occurred nationwide, and we cannot trust the Election Commission's statements." He criticized the Election Commission's chairman, Noh Tae-ak, who resigned the previous day after revealing the circumstances surrounding the ballot shortage. Jang noted, "Initially, they claimed that ballots were insufficient in 14 locations, but they ultimately admitted that 50 polling stations faced shortages. In fact, the number of locations that received additional ballots reached 67." Jang emphasized that simply accepting Noh's resignation is not enough, insisting that all members of the Central Election Commission, as well as local election commission heads and officials, must be held accountable. He also stressed the urgent need to begin discussions on amending election laws, proposing the formation of a 'National Election Commission Reform Organization' that includes participation from both ruling and opposition parties, as well as experts and citizens. Jang warned, "If Lee Jae-myung and the Democratic Party continue to ignore the public's outrage, it will lead to the end of their administration."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-06 12:57:00