Government Conducts Surprise Inspections at Power Line Construction Sites Ahead of Rainy Season The government is conducting surprise inspections at power line and tower construction sites in preparation for the upcoming rainy season. The Ministry of Climate, Energy, and Environment announced on June 2 that it will visit the construction site office and tower construction areas of the Donghae-Shin Gapyeong power line project in Hongcheon County, Gangwon Province, to assess disaster prevention measures ahead of the rainy season. This initiative comes as localized heavy rainfall has become more frequent due to climate change, increasing the risk of disasters at large infrastructure construction sites, including power lines, roads, and railways. The mountainous terrain of Gangwon Province particularly raises concerns about soil erosion and landslides during heavy rains, underscoring the need for proactive measures before the rainy season. The ministry aims to ensure that safety measures are effectively implemented at the sites ahead of the expected rainy season, which is scheduled to begin in mid to late June. Recent incidents of soil erosion at certain sections during the tower construction have heightened these concerns. During the inspection, the ministry will evaluate the status of emergency and permanent restoration efforts at locations where soil erosion has occurred outside designated areas. It will focus on checking drainage maintenance and slope stabilization measures as part of disaster prevention strategies. Additionally, considering the nature of power line construction, which often involves elevated work, the ministry will assess whether safety management protocols are being properly followed at the construction sites. The ministry will also emphasize thorough site management to prevent safety blind spots, including the monitoring of helicopter transport and elevated work, the provision and usage of safety gear, and communication management for foreign workers. Lee Jae-sik, the Director of Power Network Policy at the ministry, stated, "Thorough reinforcement work and disaster preparedness must be completed before the rainy season begins. I urge Korea Electric Power Corporation, construction companies, and supervisory teams to work together to operate site patrols and ensure comprehensive measures to prevent disasters and mitigate safety risks during the rainy season."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-02 14:27:00

Rejuvaskin Expands into North America with Olive Young Partnership Pharma Research announced that its derma cosmetic brand, Rejuvaskin, has launched in both the online and offline stores of Olive Young in the United States, marking a significant step in expanding its distribution network in North America. Rejuvaskin debuted at the newly opened Olive Young store in Pasadena on May 29 and is set to launch at the Westfield Century City location this month. Additionally, the brand has begun selling products through the Olive Young U.S. online store. This entry is part of a strategy to diversify distribution channels in the North American market. Rejuvaskin has been expanding its presence in the U.S. through major platforms like Amazon and Sephora. The product lineup includes the Dual Effect Ampoule, Turnover Ampoule, Nutritive Cream, and Turnover Mask. Notably, the Dual Effect Ampoule and Turnover Ampoule quickly became bestsellers on the Olive Young U.S. online store shortly after their launch. Pharma Research reported that its medical aesthetic business, led by Rejuvaskin, generated 146.1 billion won in revenue and 57.3 billion won in operating profit in the first quarter of this year, reflecting increases of 25% and 28%, respectively, compared to the same period last year. This growth is attributed to strong domestic demand for Rejuvaskin, robust growth in the cosmetics sector, and an expansion in global exports. Rejuvaskin plans to strengthen collaboration with CJ Olive Young's U.S. subsidiary and enhance marketing efforts to broaden its local sales base. A company representative stated, "We will promote the unique competitiveness of Rejuvaskin and expand our presence as a K-derma brand in the North American market."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-02 14:27:00

Former BIGBANG member T.O.P announces free Yokohama fan meeting SEOUL, June 02 (AJP) - K-pop boy band BIGBANG's former member T.O.P will hold a free solo fan meeting for 10,000 attendees in Yokohama, Japan, next month, the rapper's agency said Tuesday. The event accelerates the 38-year-old's independent activities following the release of his first solo studio album earlier this year. Topspott Pictures announced that the event will take place on July 9 at the Pia Arena MM. The agency stated that the large-scale gathering will be offered completely free of charge, but attendance is exclusively restricted to official paid membership holders in Japan. The management company noted that the artist is planning a diverse range of activities to reconnect directly with his international supporters. "T.O.P is preparing various programs for local fans who have waited a long time to communicate," Topspott Pictures said in a statement. The upcoming Japanese showcase follows the April release of his first full-length studio album, Another Dimension. The album and the arena fan meeting mark a significant public return for the artist, who spent a long period with limited public communication before establishing his standalone footprint. Choi Seung-hyun debuted in 2006 as the lead rapper of BigBang, a highly successful South Korean group formed by YG Entertainment, one of South Korea's entertainment powerhouses. He officially announced his departure from the group to focus on his solo career in May 2023. 2026-06-02 14:25:38

Monthlong outdoor exhibition to feature Seoul's city design project SEOUL, June 2 (AJP) - An exhibition along the walking path of Dongdaemun Design Plaza will kick off later this week, the Seoul Metropolitan Government said on Tuesday. The exhibition under the banner of "Design Seoul Walk," is scheduled to run from Friday to June 25 along a 150-meter sloped section of the DDP walking path, allowing visitors to explore Seoul's public design projects as they move through the space. The exhibition moves design out of the gallery and into the city itself, tracing its presence across public campaigns, transport information, safety facilities, public art, and street furniture. The exhibition space will feature a restrained palette of white, gray and black, with QR codes placed on major displays, allowing visitors to access background information and project details on their phones. One section looks at how Seoul has built a consistent visual identity across the city including public campaign logos and a redesigned subway map. Another section covers projects designed to make the city safer and more user-friendly including the conversion of unused subway spaces into public facilities such as lockers for runners, improved street kiosks, and enhanced safety signage. The exhibition will also feature a media art project that uses the exterior of DDP as a large-scale digital canvas, along with public art installations and products developed through city support for design startups and small and medium-sized companies. Visitors can also interact with examples of Seoul's "fun design" projects — including benches, lighting, and photo spots featuring pictograms inspired by city landmarks. "The exhibition aims to show how design has shaped the city and people's everyday lives," said Choi In-gyu, a city official. "We hope visitors discover how design adds value to daily life — and how much pleasure it can bring." 2026-06-02 14:24:07

Samsung Electronics Unveils HBM5 Mockup, Showcases Next-Gen AI Memory Technology Samsung Electronics has revealed its direction for the next-generation High Bandwidth Memory (HBM) technology, HBM5, demonstrating its commitment to leading the AI memory market. On June 2, Samsung showcased the HBM5 mockup and next-generation thermal management technology for the first time at Computex 2026 in Taipei. Song Jae-hyuk, CTO of Samsung's Device Solutions (DS) division, emphasized that the competitiveness of total solutions encompassing memory, foundry, logic, and packaging is becoming a key factor in the AI era. The core focus of Samsung's HBM5 technology is thermal management. The company introduced a product structure utilizing Heat Path Block (HPB) technology to address heat generation issues in high-performance AI memory. HPB is designed to efficiently distribute and dissipate heat generated in the Physical Layer (PHY) area. Song explained that HBM5's strength lies in its addition of a separate heat transfer path, which reduces thermal resistance and enhances operational stability. Samsung has already completed the implementation and verification of HPB technology in its HBM4E products, confirming both structural design and reliability as well as package stability. Samsung also announced plans to proactively apply 2-nanometer base dies in HBM5, aiming to enhance its technological competitiveness in the next-generation HBM market by combining its memory, foundry, and packaging capabilities. The exhibition also featured HBM4E wafers and chipsets. Samsung's HBM4E combines cutting-edge 1c DRAM core dies with its own 4-nanometer process base dies. The company completed sample shipments on May 29, achieving stable operation at 14 Gbps per pin and capable of reaching up to 16 Gbps, with a maximum bandwidth of 4 TB/s. Samsung highlighted its memory and storage portfolio supporting NVIDIA's next-generation AI platform, 'Vera Rubin.' The exhibition showcased a Vera Rubin system equipped with Samsung products, emphasizing its lineup, including HBM4, SOCAMM2, and PM1763. Market research firm Omdia projects that the HBM market will expand from approximately $58.9 billion in 2026 to about $198.3 billion by 2029, more than tripling in size. Song stated, "We plan to continuously strengthen our next-generation memory technology competitiveness based on collaboration with global companies, including NVIDIA."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-02 14:24:00

New Standards Aim to Improve Rural Living Services in South Korea The South Korean government is set to enhance the quality of life for rural residents by adding practical services such as laundry, beauty care, and bathing to its "Rural Service Standards." On June 2, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs announced that a revised enforcement decree of the Special Act on Improving the Quality of Life for Farmers and Fishermen has passed the Cabinet meeting. This amendment reflects the policy direction of the fifth basic plan for enhancing the quality of life for agricultural workers, aiming to reorganize the "Rural Service Standards" to focus on the real-life experiences of rural residents. The ministry plans to introduce new service categories, including laundry, beauty care, and bathing, as well as food supply services, to better address the service gaps and food deserts in rural areas. This initiative aims to strengthen access to services closely related to residents' daily lives. Additionally, the evaluation criteria will shift from merely assessing the presence of facilities to focusing on "accessibility," which reflects the actual usability of services by residents. Previously, management was based solely on whether facilities and programs existed; moving forward, the ministry will consider the distance and time required for residents to access these services. Following this decree revision, the ministry will also update the Rural Service Standards to present specific target levels for each service category. Furthermore, it will assess the achievement of these standards annually and work with relevant central administrative agencies and local governments to address any shortcomings. Jeon Han-young, director of the Rural Policy Bureau at the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, stated, "This revision of the enforcement decree aims to elevate the level of daily services that rural residents experience and to manage regional service disparities more systematically. We will continue to improve the system to reduce blind spots in rural living services."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-02 14:18:00

Broadcasting and Communications Commission Highlights Achievements on First Anniversary The Broadcasting and Media Communications Commission (BMCC) announced its achievements in the broadcasting, media, and communications sectors, coinciding with the first anniversary of President Lee Jae-myung's administration. The commission has made progress in resolving delays in broadcasting re-licensing, improving the governance structure of public broadcasting, enhancing user protection, and establishing a system to combat misinformation, thereby accelerating the restoration of public service in broadcasting and the establishment of order in digital media. On June 2, the BMCC participated in a Cabinet meeting to present its first-year achievements. The BMCC began its operations in April after the appointment of its members met the quorum requirements, holding its first plenary meeting on April 10. Since then, it has convened a total of 14 plenary meetings, addressing 86 agenda items, including 12 legislative amendments and 10 sanctions. Notably, the commission completed the re-licensing of 152 broadcasting stations, including 16 terrestrial broadcasters and 2 cable operators, which had been delayed for an extended period. The BMCC also worked on improving the re-licensing and re-approval system. It amended broadcasting laws to ensure that if a re-licensing or re-approval decision is not made within the validity period for reasons not attributable to the broadcaster, the existing license or approval will remain valid until a final decision is made. This change aims to provide a stable operational foundation for broadcasters and enhance the protection of viewers' rights. The commission has also initiated reforms to improve access to disaster information, including establishing a requirement for sign language interpretation in KBS disaster broadcasts. It has begun reviewing the approval process for changes in major shareholders at YTN and has issued corrective orders to news channels that violated broadcasting laws, reinforcing the public responsibility of broadcasting. In the communications sector, the BMCC focused on user protection and establishing market order. It amended the Enforcement Decree of the Telecommunications Business Act to prohibit discrimination in device subsidies based on residence or age. KT was fined for providing false and exaggerated information during the pre-order process for the Galaxy S25. The commission has also worked on restoring the public service and independence of broadcasting. It is advancing the necessary subordinate legislation for the implementation of the amended Broadcasting Act, the Broadcasting Culture Promotion Act, and the Korea Educational Broadcasting System Act, collectively known as the "three broadcasting laws." Efforts are underway to establish a selection process for organizations that recommend board members for public broadcasting, laying the groundwork for restoring trust in public broadcasting. Policies to ensure universal viewer rights are also being pursued. The BMCC supported negotiations for broadcasting rights for the 2026 North and Central America World Cup, facilitating joint broadcasts between terrestrial and cable networks. Additionally, it is working on recommendations for the resale of broadcasting rights for public interest events and the operation of related consultative bodies. To respond to the media environment shifting towards digital platforms, the BMCC is establishing order in online media. The amendment of the Information and Communications Network Act to strengthen responses to misinformation has established the obligation for large platform operators to report incidents and introduced a punitive damages system of up to five times the amount. The BMCC is expediting the amendment of related enforcement decrees to ensure the system's implementation. Efforts to combat illegal spam have also been intensified, with the introduction of a fine system and the establishment of a legal basis for recovering criminal proceeds from malicious spam senders, focusing on creating a safe communication environment. The BMCC is also working to restore the competitiveness of the media industry and establish a foundation for mutual growth. In May, it announced a plan to improve home shopping regulations and establish dedicated home shopping channels for small businesses. The establishment of the Korea Broadcasting Media Communications Promotion Agency, aimed at integrating functions to promote the broadcasting and media sectors, is also underway. This initiative was approved by the National Assembly's Science, Technology, Information, Broadcasting and Communications Committee last month, led by the ruling party, and involves the integration of the Korea Broadcasting Advertising Corporation and the Viewer Media Foundation. Furthermore, the BMCC plans to expand policies to enhance media capabilities necessary for the AI and digital era in collaboration with relevant ministries. It aims to increase opportunities for digital and media education and experiences to support the public's media literacy and digital citizenship. Kim Jong-cheol, chairman of the BMCC, stated, "We have focused our policy efforts on restoring the public service of broadcasting and establishing order in digital media. In the future, we will strive to create policy outcomes that the public can feel and work towards a broadcasting, media, and communications environment where public service and industrial competitiveness are harmonized."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-02 14:18:00

Gwangju Biennale Transitions to Open Call for Artistic Director The Gwangju Biennale Foundation announced on June 2 that it will hold an open call for the artistic director of the 17th Gwangju Biennale. Previously, the selection of the artistic director was based on a shortlist recommended by a small group of advisors, which often led to the appointment of internationally renowned figures. However, the selection process for the artistic director overseeing the main exhibition scheduled for 2028 will now be open to all qualified candidates. The foundation stated, "After 30 years of the Gwangju Biennale, we are at a turning point that requires new changes. We aim to establish a more democratic and open selection system for the artistic director while preserving the spirit of Gwangju and the pride of our 30-year history." This shift to an open call emphasizes the vision, content, and planning capabilities of the exhibition over the individual reputation of the director. The open call will be available to exhibition planning professionals from around the world, regardless of nationality, gender, or age. Candidates can apply individually or as part of a team of two or more. Collaboration between domestic and international experts is also encouraged. The foundation expects innovative proposals that artistically embody the spirit of democracy, peace, and human rights, while presenting new discourses and leading trends in contemporary art. The selection process for the 17th artistic director will be completely open, and the foundation hopes for active participation from capable exhibition planners worldwide. Applications for the artistic director position overseeing the main exhibition in 2028 will be accepted from June 8 to August 3. Applicants must submit required documents, including an application form, proposal, and portfolio, via email to the Gwangju Biennale. Detailed information regarding the application process can be found on the official Gwangju Biennale website. The foundation plans to conduct document reviews in August for applications received by 6 p.m. on August 3. Presentations of exhibition proposals and interviews will take place in September, with the final selection of one individual or team as the artistic director expected to be announced in October. However, the timeline may be adjusted based on the number of applicants and the review process. Meanwhile, the 16th Gwangju Biennale, titled "You Must Change Your Life," will run from September 5 to November 15 at the Gwangju Biennale exhibition hall.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-02 14:12:00

NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang to Meet NCSoft's Kim Taek-jin Amid AI Collaboration Talks Jensen Huang, CEO of NVIDIA, is set to meet with Kim Taek-jin, CEO of NCSoft, during his visit to South Korea on June 4. According to the IT industry on June 2, Huang is scheduled to hold discussions with Kim on June 7 in Seoul. While specific details of the meeting have not been disclosed, collaboration in the field of artificial intelligence (AI) is expected to be a key topic. Huang has recently emphasized physical AI as a next-generation growth driver, raising interest in potential business partnerships in this area. Additionally, Huang is reportedly planning to have dinner on June 5 with prominent business leaders, including Koo Kwang-mo of LG Group, Chey Tae-won of SK Group, Chung Eui-sun of Hyundai Motor Group, and Lee Hae-jin of Naver. His meeting with Kim is said to be a separate engagement. Huang has shown a strong interest in the South Korean gaming industry. During his visit last October for the NVIDIA GeForce Gamer Festival, he remarked, "Korea created esports and made PC gaming a global phenomenon. Without PC gaming, PC bangs, and esports, NVIDIA today would not exist." Industry observers speculate that this meeting could lead to more concrete discussions regarding AI collaboration between NCSoft and NVIDIA.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-02 14:12:00

Post-Election Housing Market Set to Open with 40,000 Units in June In June, the nationwide supply of new housing units is expected to reach 40,000, the highest volume this year. Construction companies, which had postponed their sales schedules ahead of the local elections, are now ramping up supply in both the metropolitan and regional areas. According to Real Estate 114, the total number of planned housing units for June, including rentals, is estimated at 39,202. This marks an increase of more than six times compared to the same period last year. It is also the largest figure when compared to the monthly supply from January to May and the planned supply for the second half of the year (July to December). Notably, this figure represents a more than 5.7-fold increase from the low of 6,862 units recorded in February. Throughout April and May, the supply remained stable at around 25,000 to 26,000 units. Industry experts attribute the surge in supply to construction companies resuming their sales schedules after the elections. In the metropolitan area, the planned supply is 22,059 units, a 48% increase from the previous month’s 14,912 units. Compared to the same period last year, which saw only 5,375 units, this represents more than a fourfold increase. Regionally, Gyeonggi Province leads with 12,752 units, followed by Incheon with 5,563 units and Seoul with 3,744 units. Unlike the usual trend of concentrated supply in Gyeonggi, this month also sees significant offerings in Incheon and Seoul. Key developments include the 'The Sharp Geomdan Lake Park' in Incheon with 2,857 units, 'Sankok Station Xi Hills State & Hanulchae' in Bupyeong, Incheon with 2,706 units, 'Jangwi Prugio Mark One' in Seongbuk, Seoul with 1,931 units, 'Buk Osan Xi De Foret' in Osan, Gyeonggi with 1,517 units, 'Goyang Changneung S2' in Goyang, Gyeonggi with 1,057 units, 'Pyeongtaek Goduk P3' in Pyeongtaek with 973 units, and 'Summit Clavion' in Yeongdeungpo, Seoul with 812 units. The increase in supply in regional areas is even more pronounced. This month, the planned supply in regions outside the capital is 17,143 units, more than 13 times the 1,300 units recorded during the same period last year. Compared to last month’s 10,150 units, this is a 69% increase. Regionally, Gyeongnam has the highest supply with 5,433 units, followed by Busan with 2,207 units, Gyeongbuk with 1,712 units, and Chungnam with 1,622 units. This surge is attributed to the backlog of supply that was postponed ahead of the nationwide local elections. Notable projects include 'Gimhae Sinmun Central I-Park' in Gimhae, Gyeongnam with 1,379 units, 'Centreville Asterium Geoje' in Geoje, Gyeongnam with 1,307 units, 'Penta Hills W1 Complex' in Gyeongsan, Gyeongbuk, 'Baeksok Signature Xi Blocks 1 & 2' in Cheonan, Chungnam with 1,174 units, 'e-Pyeonhansesang Yongdu Honorium' in Jung-gu, Daejeon with 794 units, 'e-Pyeonhansesang Centum River Luce' in Haeundae, Busan with 536 units, and 'Eco Delta City Jungheung S-Class Riverside' in Gangseo, Busan with 501 units. As the housing market continues to heat up, the expansion of supply is expected to broaden options for buyers. In Seoul, the average subscription competition rate from January to May approached 100 to 1, indicating sustained high demand. Real Estate 114 anticipates that the upcoming supply of competitive developments in the metropolitan area, five major cities, and other regional hubs will provide a diverse range of choices for prospective buyers.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-02 14:09:00