NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang Meets with eSports Star Faker in Seoul Jensen Huang, CEO of NVIDIA, is set to visit South Korea on June 5, where he will meet with key figures from major domestic companies and experience aspects of Korean culture, including PC bangs, samgyeopsal, and baseball.According to NVIDIA and the IT industry, Huang is expected to arrive at Gimpo International Airport around 1 p.m. local time, where he will briefly share his impressions upon arrival and participate in a Q&A session.His first stop in Korea is reportedly a PC bang operated by the eSports team T1.Sources indicate that Huang will meet with the T1 League of Legends team at the 'T1 Base Camp' PC bang located in Hongdae. The meeting will include all five members of the team: captain Lee Sang-hyeok, known as 'Faker,' Choi Hyun-jun ('Doran'), Moon Hyun-jun ('Owner'), Kim Soo-hwan ('Phase'), and Ryu Min-seok ('Keria'). They are expected to discuss ways to enhance the eSports industry while interacting with players and team officials.Huang has expressed a strong affection for Korea's gaming industry and eSports. During his visit last year, he remarked, "Without PC gaming, PC bangs, and eSports, NVIDIA would not exist today."After visiting the PC bang, Huang is scheduled to have dinner at a samgyeopsal restaurant called 'Hyungnim Jeoyo' near Hongdae, where he will meet with prominent business leaders, including Chey Tae-won, chairman of SK Group, Koo Kwang-mo, chairman of LG Group, and Lee Hae-jin, chairman of Naver.The dinner, known as a 'samso meeting'—a combination of samgyeopsal and soju—is expected to focus on broad cooperation in areas such as AI semiconductors, robotics, physical AI, and AI data center infrastructure.Initially, a restaurant in Seongsu-dong was considered for the meeting, but the location was changed to Hongdae due to logistical considerations.Given the bustling nature of the Hongdae area, there is also speculation that Huang may have the opportunity to interact with local citizens.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-05 10:09:00

HJ Shipbuilding to Develop 10,000 TEU Biofuel-Powered Container Ship HJ Shipbuilding has received design concept approval from the Korean Register (KR) for a 10,000 TEU biofuel-powered container ship. On June 4, during the Posidonia exhibition held at the Metropolitan Expo Center in Athens, HJ Shipbuilding CEO Yoo Sang-cheol and KR Executive Vice President Cho Byung-sam met to sign the certification agreement. Posidonia is recognized as one of the world's top three maritime and shipbuilding exhibitions, alongside Norway's Nor-Shipping and Germany's SMM in Hamburg. Biofuel for ships refers to a carbon-reducing fuel that blends traditional fossil fuel-based marine oil with a certain percentage of plant and animal oils. With the International Maritime Organization (IMO) tightening carbon emission regulations and the European Union (EU) implementing new environmental regulations, including maritime fuel regulations and the EU Emissions Trading System, the use of biofuels is increasing in major ports worldwide, emerging as an eco-friendly alternative fuel. Interest in biofuels has grown among shipowners attending Posidonia, prompting the shipbuilding industry to proactively secure technology and respond to market demands. To secure relevant technology, HJ Shipbuilding collaborated with KR last year, applying a biofuel propulsion system to the 10,000 TEU container ship it is currently building. The company completed its technology development last month and obtained certification on this day. Yoo Sang-cheol, CEO of HJ Shipbuilding, stated, "The development of biofuel-powered container ship technology is expected to have a positive impact on our sales and order activities in the eco-friendly ship market. Building decarbonized ships is essential for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and we will secure technological competitiveness to build trust with shipowners." Meanwhile, HJ Shipbuilding reported a more than 347% increase in operating profit in the first quarter compared to the same period last year, indicating significant performance improvement. The company is expected to continue this positive trend as it advances from high-value shipbuilding to biofuel propulsion. 2026-06-05 10:06:00

Travel Industry Shifts to Themed Experiences Amid Changing Consumer Preferences Domestic travel agencies are significantly enhancing their lineup of "themed and experiential" products to cater to the diversifying preferences of consumers. Moving away from traditional package tours that merely skim popular tourist spots, the industry is now focusing on journeys that fulfill specific interests in art, cuisine, and sports. ◆ Japan's Small Towns Rise as Art and Culinary Destinations The most notable change is occurring in Japan, a key market for short-haul overseas travel. Repeat visitors, fatigued by the repetitive visits to major cities like Tokyo, Osaka, and Fukuoka, are now turning their attention to small towns with distinct local characteristics. According to internal data from Modu Tour, bookings for small town products in Japan increased by 35% in May compared to the same period last year. In response to this demand, the industry is promoting themed travel packages centered around Takamatsu, the representative city of Kagawa Prefecture in Shikoku. These packages allow travelers to leisurely explore contemporary art sites like the Chichu Art Museum and the Lee Ufan Museum on Naoshima Island, while also deeply experiencing local cuisine, such as Sanuki udon. The itineraries are designed to enhance travel quality by minimizing the burden of moving between accommodations. ◆ Running the Great Wall and Park Golf Trains Heat Up Domestic Tourism Recently, a surge in running culture among the MZ generation has led to the introduction of special purpose tourism (SIT) products that allow participants to run on iconic heritage sites. Nolyuniverse has partnered with the city of Chengde in Hebei Province, China, to offer a trail running package along the UNESCO World Heritage section of the Great Wall at Jinshanling. Participants can choose from 10K, half-marathon, or full marathon courses, running along the wall while enjoying the sunrise and connecting with local cultural resources like Beijing's 798 Art District to attract outdoor enthusiasts. In the domestic tourism market, a surge in middle-aged and older adults participating in recreational sports has led to the rise of rail products linked to sports. Korail Tourism Development plans to operate themed trains in collaboration with local governments in Chungcheongnam-do, such as Cheongyang and Buyeo, for the 3.5 million park golf enthusiasts across the country. Travelers can enjoy rounds at local park golf courses like Wangjin Naru and Baengma River without the hassle of highway traffic, while also sampling local dishes like lotus leaf rice and goji berry grilled ribs. ◆ Cruises to the Other Side of the World: Experience is the Key to Spending This trend is also extending into the long-distance premium market. In South America, a continent often listed on bucket lists, premium long-stay packages that combine large cruises with business class flights are gaining popularity. Hanjin Travel is launching a 30-day South America travel package featuring the 140,000-ton Majestic Princess cruise ship. The itinerary combines maritime travel with land tours to iconic locations such as Brazil's Iguazu Falls, Peru's Machu Picchu, and Bolivia's Salar de Uyuni, maximizing comfort. Industry experts analyze that the activation of themed travel is a result of the demand from economically active seniors and younger generations who invest in their personal hobbies. As simple sightseeing can be replaced by online information, providing exclusive content that can only be experienced locally is essential to attract consumers. A travel industry representative stated, "As consumers accumulate travel experiences, their preference for products that guarantee personal tastes and leisurely stays increases. In the future, competition to develop customized themed products that combine local cultural assets, sports, and cruises will become even more intense."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-05 10:03:00

Proponents of Chinhang Demand Resignation of Leader Jang Dong-hyuk After Election Loss People Power Party lawmakers aligned with the Chinhang faction called on Jang Dong-hyuk to take responsibility for the results of the June 3 local elections and resign.Woo Jae-jun, a senior member of the party, stated on YTN Radio's "Jang Seong-cheol's News Myungdang" that while many candidates lost, the overall results were slightly better than initially feared. He noted, "Although we have a score of 12 to 4, there were also more victories in local government positions, and we narrowly lost in several metropolitan areas." He added, "It is difficult to evaluate that the leadership significantly contributed to this local election. Many candidates are likely aware of this, and the leadership must reflect on it. It is appropriate for them to take responsibility accordingly."Woo pointed out both the strengths and weaknesses of Jang's leadership during the election process. He expressed, "It would be good if he resigned. On one hand, he worked hard. There were areas where he performed well and others where he did not." He specifically criticized Jang for expending too much energy on expelling Han Dong-hoon, which negatively impacted the Busan mayoral election. However, he acknowledged that Jang contributed to resolving some confusion in Daegu and helped achieve some victories in South Chungcheong Province.He concluded, "I believe it would be beneficial for him to step down to help resolve conflicts. If Jang continues to hold on, the conflicts will not be resolved. It would be better for him to step down and hold a formal party convention to receive a proper evaluation, which would help us gather our thoughts on the future direction of our party."Park Jeong-hoon also echoed the call for the entire leadership under Jang Dong-hyuk to resign. Speaking on SBS Radio's "Kim Tae-hyun's Political Show," Park stated, "Ultimately, we suffered a crushing defeat in this election. Almost all the metropolitan leaders were incumbents. Despite the incumbent advantage, eight incumbents lost, which is a significant defeat."He attributed the election difficulties to the decision to expel Han Dong-hoon, which he claimed divided the party. "The reasons for the expulsion were nonsensical and unrelated to him. The individuals most responsible are Jang Dong-hyuk, Shin Dong-wook, and Song Eon-seok," he asserted.Park predicted, "If a confidence vote were held now, I believe Jang would lose. We need to conduct the next general election under this leadership, but can we win with Jang Dong-hyuk's face leading the charge?" He added, "After this experience, it seems that Jang Dong-hyuk's leadership has led to losses. Some have even referred to him as the 'grim reaper of elections.' I believe party members have realized through this election whether Jang's leadership can lead us into the next general election."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-05 10:03:00

South Korea Promotes Economic Growth to European Investors in Paris The South Korean government held an investment briefing in Paris on June 4, aimed at promoting the country's economic growth and capital market reforms to key European investors. Attendees expressed strong interest, noting that they already view the South Korean market as a "core market" on par with the U.S. and Europe. The Ministry of Finance announced that Deputy Minister Heo Jang hosted the briefing, which included senior executives from major French investment firms such as Amundi, BNP Paribas, Crédit Agricole, Natixis, and Société Générale. During the briefing, Heo emphasized the solid fundamentals of the South Korean economy. He reported that exports surged over 40% year-on-year to approximately $390 billion from January to May, driven by a semiconductor supercycle. He also noted that the country's GDP growth rate for the first quarter was 1.7%, the highest among OECD member countries reported to date. Additionally, gross domestic income rose by 7.5% compared to the previous quarter, indicating ongoing growth. Heo highlighted South Korea's external soundness as an attractive investment factor, stating that the current account surplus for the first quarter reached $85 billion, ranking fifth globally and representing a 220% increase from the previous year. He projected that if the current trend continues, the surplus could significantly exceed last year's record of $123 billion. He pointed to capital market reforms as a key factor behind the strong performance of the South Korean stock market. He noted that reforms such as amendments to corporate law, enhanced shareholder protections, and separate taxation of dividend income are being implemented. He stated that the stock market is transitioning from a "Korea Discount" to a "Korea Premium," particularly in light of the semiconductor and artificial intelligence supercycles. He also mentioned that since the inclusion in the World Government Bond Index (WGBI) in April, foreign investment in government bonds has reached approximately $18.7 billion. The government actively promoted its foreign exchange market modernization policies, including 24-hour market operations, the establishment of an offshore won payment system, and improvements to account opening and settlement procedures for foreign investors. Currently, 80 foreign financial institutions are registered as foreign exchange business operators in South Korea, and nighttime trading is gradually increasing. European investors attending the briefing showed keen interest in strategies to address the prolonged Middle Eastern conflict, the recent surge in the South Korean stock market, and the outcomes of foreign exchange market reforms. They particularly praised the growth trajectory of the South Korean economy and the government's commitment to market reforms, stating, "The South Korean market is already recognized as a core market comparable to European and U.S. markets."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-05 10:03:00

KB Kookmin Bank Launches 'KB Veterans Benefit Remittance Check' Service with No Fees KB Kookmin Bank announced on June 5 that it will launch the 'KB Veterans Benefit Remittance Check' service in honor of National Defense and Veterans Month.This service is designed to assist veterans living abroad who do not have local bank accounts, allowing them to receive and use foreign currency remittance checks directly.The Ministry of Veterans Affairs plans to transition to a remittance payment method for veterans living overseas starting in 2027 to enhance the convenience of benefit receipt. However, to minimize the inconvenience for some beneficiaries who find it difficult to open and use overseas accounts, KB Kookmin Bank has collaborated with the ministry to introduce the KB Veterans Benefit Remittance Check service.To reduce the burden on customers using this service, KB Kookmin Bank will waive all fees associated with issuing remittance checks. This initiative aims to make it easier for national merit recipients and their families living abroad to receive their benefits.A representative from KB Kookmin Bank stated, "This service has been established to ensure that veterans living abroad can receive their benefits more conveniently and securely. We will continue to contribute to creating social value through various inclusive financial practices for those who have dedicated themselves to the nation."In addition to launching this new service, KB Kookmin Bank is also participating in volunteer activities at the National Cemetery in Seoul to commemorate National Defense and Veterans Month. 2026-06-05 10:03:00

Goldman Sachs Projects SpaceX AI Revenue to Surge 100-Fold by 2030 Goldman Sachs has projected that SpaceX's artificial intelligence (AI) revenue will increase nearly 100-fold by 2030, ahead of the company's anticipated initial public offering (IPO) next week. According to the Financial Times on June 4, Goldman Sachs, the lead underwriter for SpaceX's IPO, forecasts that the company's AI revenue will rise from $3.2 billion in 2025 to approximately $322 billion by 2030. The overall revenue for SpaceX is also expected to grow from $18.7 billion in 2025 to $474 billion in 2030. These projections reflect the recent surge in aggressive AI investments by major tech companies. Goldman Sachs conveyed this information verbally to key investors during SpaceX's IPO roadshow, the Financial Times reported. In February, SpaceX merged with xAI, an AI startup founded by Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla. The majority of the former xAI team is now part of SpaceX's AI division. According to SpaceX's investment prospectus, xAI recorded a loss of $6.4 billion last year but is expected to tap into a total addressable market (TAM) of $26.5 trillion in the future. This marks a significant shift, as the TAM for SpaceX's original core business, the satellite internet service Starlink, was only projected at $2 trillion. Goldman Sachs estimates that Starlink's revenue will reach $144 billion by 2030, which would be less than half of the projected AI revenue. Additionally, the revenue from SpaceX's rocket division is expected to increase from $4.1 billion last year to $8.3 billion by 2030. However, for SpaceX's AI division to achieve these ambitious targets, its proprietary AI model, Grok, must compete effectively with leading models from companies like Google, OpenAI, and Anthropic. The Financial Times also noted that Musk has recently dismissed all ten co-founders of xAI due to performance issues, raising concerns about the rapid organizational changes. SpaceX plans to finalize its offering price on June 11, with trading on the Nasdaq set to begin on June 12. The proposed share price is $135, which could allow SpaceX to raise $75 billion and achieve a valuation of $1.75 trillion.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-05 09:57:00

Ruling Party Faces Internal Strife After Local Election Wins and Seoul Loss The Democratic Party achieved a significant victory in the June 3 local elections, winning 12 out of 16 regional leadership positions. However, the party's failure to reclaim the crucial Seoul mayoralty has sparked discussions among some lawmakers about accountability within the leadership. With the party's national convention approaching in August, competition for future leadership roles is intensifying. Park Soo-hyun, the newly elected governor of Chungcheongnam-do and a former party spokesperson, cautioned on Facebook that failing to reflect on the election results and linking them to the upcoming leadership struggle could alienate public sentiment. "What we need to do now is to sincerely reflect on ourselves. Is demanding the leadership's resignation the best course of action?" he asked, emphasizing the need for personal accountability within the party. Following the June 4 mayoral election, where Democratic candidate Jung Won-oh lost to Oh Se-hoon of the People Power Party, some party members expressed their dissatisfaction with party leader Jung Cheong-rae. Lawmaker Yoon Jun-byeong stated, "While the appearance of victory in the local elections is impressive, we cannot claim a complete win if we lost in Seoul." He pressed the party leader for accountability. Similarly, fellow lawmaker Park Beom-gye remarked, "It may not be a defeat, but it certainly feels like a failure. Despite overall positive election results, it is embarrassing to call it a victory. Yet, there has been no acknowledgment of responsibility from the leadership." Kang Deuk-gu, a lawmaker aligned with the pro-Lee Jae-myung faction, also noted, "There were areas where we could have won but ended up with disappointing results. Looking back, there were shortcomings from the nomination process to managing the election period. The leadership failed to capture the urgency felt on the ground." Meanwhile, Jung Cheong-rae expressed gratitude to the public for their support, stating, "I am thankful to the people for giving the Democratic Party a significant victory, but it hurts that we could not reclaim Seoul." Party Secretary-General Cho Seung-rae acknowledged the mixed feelings about the election results, saying, "While there are regrets, I believe this local election was a victory for the Democratic Party. I will remember the warm interest, affection, criticism, and encouragement shown during this election."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-05 09:54:00

KOSPI opens sharply lower after Wall Street chip sell-off, prompting sidecar halt SEOUL, June 5 (AJP) - South Korean stocks plunged in early trading on Friday, prompting a temporary halt on program sell orders as investors dumped semiconductor shares following an overnight sell-off in U.S. chipmakers. Just 30 minutes into Friday's trading session, the benchmark KOSPI was down 5.65 percent at 8,151.63, while the junior KOSDAQ shed 3.67 percent to 1,011.25. According to the Korea Exchange, a sell-side sidecar was activated at 9:08:25 a.m. after a sharp decline in KOSPI 200 futures. The sharp decline followed heavy losses in U.S. semiconductor stocks overnight, with investors taking profits after a months-long rally in artificial intelligence (AI)-related shares. 2026-06-05 09:46:25

Samyang's Buldak tops 10 billion units, unveils new mascot Peppo SEOUL, June 05 (AJP) - South Korea's Samyang Foods announced that cumulative sales of its Buldak instant noodle brand had surpassed 10 billion units, a milestone the company is marking by rolling out a next-generation character, Peppo, to anchor an aggressive push into licensing and digital content. The fiery brand, which turns 14 this year, crossed the threshold at the end of May after generating about 7 trillion won ($4.54 billion) in cumulative revenue, the company said Friday. Buldak now sells in some 100 countries, churning out 2 billion units a year, or roughly 63 packets every second worldwide. Growth has accelerated sharply since the brand passed 1 billion units in 2017, hitting 4 billion in 2022 and 9 billion in 2025 before vaulting past 10 billion in barely half a year. Buoyed by the surge, Samyang became the first Korean food maker to top $900 million in exports last year and now accounts for more than 60 percent of the country's ramen shipments abroad. To capitalize on the momentum, Samyang is making Peppo, a chick hatched from an egg laid by predecessor mascot Hochi, the new face of the Buldak universe. Developed by affiliate Samyang Anni, the digital-native character has drawn 1.06 million subscribers on YouTube since its 2024 debut and has already featured on packaging for products such as Buldak Mac & Cheese in North America. "In the food industry a character usually serves as a tool to promote a product's flavor, but we questioned that formula and decided to raise ours as a global brand with a life of its own," said a Samyang Anni spokesperson. New domestic packaging featuring Peppo begins rolling out this month, starting with Buldak sauce, while branded merchandise and an official website are slated to follow, part of what Samyang calls its "eatertainment" vision first unveiled in 2023. 2026-06-05 09:42:08