South Korea Boosts Hydrogen Investment in Saemangeum, Officials Visit China's Hydrogen Industry The South Korean government is set to enhance Saemangeum as a hub for hydrogen and AI-based advanced industries by visiting China's hydrogen sector. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport announced on June 7 that a delegation led by Minister Kim Yun-deok will visit Beijing and Inner Mongolia from June 8 to 10. The delegation will tour local companies and key facilities to assess the infrastructure for hydrogen production, transportation, storage, and utilization. This visit supports a 9 trillion won investment agreement signed in February between the government and Hyundai Motor Group for Saemangeum. The ministry plans to explore administrative and financial support measures to expedite the development of a solar-powered electrolysis plant and an AI hydrogen city proposed by Hyundai Motor Group. Green hydrogen produced at the Saemangeum electrolysis facility will be supplied to local areas, including waterfront cities, through pipelines and tube trailers. It will also be utilized in hydrogen refueling stations and in the port and logistics sectors, as well as in hydrogen mobility. China is expanding its hydrogen industry value chain, focusing on five major hydrogen demonstration cities. With abundant renewable energy, it has established large-scale production facilities, making it the world's largest hydrogen producer and consumer. On June 8, the delegation will visit the Daxing International Hydrogen Energy Demonstration Zone in Beijing, where they will examine the ecosystem from hydrogen production to utilization. They will assess the durability of stacks and the level of domestic technology in hydrogen fuel cell companies. The delegation will also visit a large hydrogen refueling station to evaluate operational efficiency and safety management systems based on intelligent platforms. On June 9, they will visit one of the world's largest green hydrogen production facilities in Inner Mongolia. The delegation will review the integration of wind and solar power with electrolysis equipment and examine examples of hydrogen supply infrastructure development. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport aims to analyze China's examples to develop support measures tailored to the geographical and industrial conditions of Saemangeum. This initiative is expected to establish a stable hydrogen supply network and accelerate the creation of the AI hydrogen city. Minister Kim Yun-deok stated, "It is crucial to establish a stable hydrogen supply infrastructure in Saemangeum and to formulate policies that accurately reflect corporate demand. We will mobilize all possible support measures based on insights gained from China's leading examples to ensure the swift implementation of investments in Saemangeum."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-07 15:45:00

Jensen Huang's Visit Boosts K-Food Promotion with Chicken, Soju, and Choco Pie Jensen Huang's visit to South Korea has unexpectedly boosted the country's food and beverage industry. The actions of the CEO of NVIDIA have been widely covered by domestic and international media, leading to a natural promotion of popular Korean foods such as chicken, alcoholic beverages, snacks, and dairy products worldwide. According to industry sources, Huang dined with major South Korean business leaders, including SK Group Chairman Choi Tae-won, LG Group Chairman Koo Kwang-mo, and Naver Chairman Lee Hae-jin, at a pork belly restaurant called "Hyangnim Jeoyo" in the Mapo district of Seoul on June 5. After the dinner, he made an unexpected visit to the BBQ restaurant near Hongdae. Initially, a karaoke venue was considered as the next destination, but the visit to the chicken restaurant was arranged at NVIDIA's suggestion. The BBQ franchise, Genesis BBQ Group, was not informed of the schedule in advance. At BBQ, Huang enjoyed the signature dish "Golden Olive Chicken" and a self-developed drink called "Sparkling Lemon Boy," which quickly gained attention online. The alcohol industry also benefited from the spotlight. During the pork belly dinner and chicken gathering, brands such as Hite Jinro's Terra and Chamisul, OB Beer’s Cass, and Lotte Chilsung Beverage's Chuhyang were prominently featured. Notably, Huang's enjoyment of a mix of soju and beer, known as "so-maek," drew attention to South Korea's unique drinking culture. Businesses responded swiftly. Hite Jinro expanded product supply to key stores in the Hongdae area following news of Huang's visit. Lotte Chilsung Beverage distributed 1,000 bottles of "Chuhyang" with phrases like "Like Jensen Huang" and "Like NVIDIA" to enhance the atmosphere. Convenience stores and food companies also made their presence felt. A heartwarming scene was captured when a child handed Huang an Orion Choco Pie, which quickly spread on social media. Huang and his group distributed snacks to citizens gathered outside the restaurant, showcasing products like Seven Eleven's "Honey Banana Flavor HBM Chips," Binggrae's banana milk, and Paldo's Sikhye. The HBM Chips are inspired by SK Hynix's high-bandwidth memory, a key component in NVIDIA's AI semiconductors. Huang humorously remarked after tasting the chips, "Everyone likes HBM," eliciting laughter from those around him. Manufacturers acted quickly as well. After learning of Huang's preference for banana milk, Binggrae reportedly increased supply to convenience stores near Hongdae. The influx of citizens, tourists, and reporters to see Huang led to a boost in the local economy, with convenience stores and restaurants experiencing a significant increase in visitors and some reporting higher sales than usual. Industry experts believe that interest in the Hongdae area will continue, especially with the rise in foreign tourists. Huang's love for K-Food has continued throughout his visit. On June 6, he visited the noodle restaurant "Namhae Sikdang" in Namdaemun Market and a ginseng chicken soup restaurant called "Tosokchon" in Seochon. On June 7, he reportedly enjoyed Pyongyang cold noodles at "Woori Ok" in Jongno for lunch. In the afternoon, after throwing the first pitch at a professional baseball game at Jamsil Stadium, he is expected to watch the game while enjoying BBQ's "Crunchy Boneless Crackers." NVIDIA ordered a total of 113 chickens for the group seating, with BBQ headquarters staff assisting with the preparation to handle the large order. After the baseball game, Huang plans to revisit the Kkanbu Chicken location in Gangnam, where he dined during his previous visit last year, for another meeting with SK Group Chairman Choi Tae-won. An industry insider remarked, "The sight of a global IT CEO enjoying chicken, drinking so-maek, and engaging with convenience store products in Korea has become powerful content. For domestic food companies looking to expand globally, this has resulted in significant marketing benefits." 2026-06-07 15:45:00

NVIDIA's Jensen Huang Meets with Krafton and NCSoft to Discuss AI Collaboration Jensen Huang, CEO of NVIDIA, met with representatives from leading South Korean gaming companies Krafton and NCSoft to discuss collaboration on game artificial intelligence (AI) and physical AI. Both companies have previously partnered with NVIDIA in the fields of game graphics and AI technology, and they anticipate expanding their cooperation beyond game AI into physical AI. On June 7, Huang arrived at Optimum Zone PC Cafe near Sinnonhyeon Station in Gangnam at around 1:20 PM to meet with Jang Byung-kyu, chairman of Krafton. Key executives, including Lee Kang-wook, Krafton's Chief AI Officer, and Jang Tae-seok, head of the PUBG: Battlegrounds IP franchise, were also present. As Huang entered, fans chanted his name, and Jang engaged with attendees by taking selfies. Huang interacted with fans by signing autographs and conducting a prize drawing. "Korea was the first country to export eSports to the world," Huang said. "Thanks to Korea, eSports has spread globally, and I always enjoy coming here." He introduced the latest graphics card, the GeForce RTX 5090, and unveiled the AI PC platform, RTX Spark, stating, "We are reinventing the PC after 40 years. This new computer runs both graphics and AI applications." Jang added, "The technology announced today is a new platform not just for gaming but also for AI, allowing participants to experience the intersection of gaming and AI through PUBG AI." After the event, Jang spoke to reporters, stating, "Krafton has been collaborating with NVIDIA for some time. Huang expressed a desire to see gamers in PC cafes directly, which led to this meeting. NVIDIA has deep roots in the gaming industry and likely wanted to experience Korea's PC cafe culture firsthand." He continued, "Korea ranks among the top three countries in AI, but we seem to excel even more in gaming. We will continue to engage in discussions with NVIDIA moving forward." Following his meeting with Krafton, Huang moved to Portal PC Cafe in Gangnam at around 2:10 PM to meet with Kim Taek-jin, CEO of NCSoft. The meeting lasted approximately 30 minutes and included key executives such as Vice President Bae Jae-hyun and Senior Vice President Lee Seong-gu, as well as interactions with gaming fans. At the cafe, Huang examined the game Aion 2 and engaged with users. "I love Aion 2," he said, adding, "NVIDIA GeForce and Korean eSports have grown together. The core development team of Aion 2 was also present to discuss future development directions." Kim noted, "When we officially launched Lineage 2 in 2003, we collaborated with NVIDIA GeForce FX for optimization, supplying thousands of GeForce units nationwide. We played a significant role in NVIDIA's growth, and NVIDIA contributed greatly to the success of Lineage 2. The relationship that began then continues to this day." 2026-06-07 15:39:00

Ruling Party Says No Plans to Visit Olympic Park Amid Voting Mismanagement Protests The Democratic Party of Korea expressed its opposition on June 7 to visiting Olympic Park, where protests related to voting mismanagement during the June 3 local elections are taking place. During an emergency press briefing, floor leader Han Byeong-do stated, "We currently have no plans to visit the site." Kim Han-kyu, the party's deputy policy chief, added, "We do not want politicians to participate in the protests and politicize the situation. It does not seem appropriate for either party to exploit this situation for political gain. The media is conveying the circumstances and claims from the site, and we are closely monitoring the statements from participants on social media." Additionally, Han announced plans to submit a request for a national investigation into the election commission's handling of the situation on June 8. He indicated that if the People Power Party agrees, the investigation could proceed as early as next week. He expressed optimism that a consensus between the parties would facilitate a smooth investigation. Han emphasized to the People Power Party, "If you are sincere about the national investigation, the party leadership should not incite crowds at the Olympic Park demanding a re-election. Instead, they should sit down with the Democratic Party in the National Assembly to initiate an immediate investigation and institutional improvements, which is the responsible stance of a political party." 2026-06-07 15:30:00

U.S. Defense Secretary Calls for Europe to Lead Conventional Defense Amid Security Concerns Amid pressure from the Trump administration for European allies to increase defense spending and take on greater responsibility for conventional defense, there is a growing movement in Europe to reconsider or pursue membership in the European Union (EU). On June 6, during a visit to France for the 82nd anniversary of the D-Day landings, U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth met with French Defense Minister Catherine Colonna. Hegseth emphasized that NATO allies should bear primary responsibility for conventional defense on the European continent. According to Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell, both sides discussed the urgent need for NATO allies to increase defense spending to 5% of their GDP, expand their defense industrial base, and deploy reliable forces capable of actual combat to take on the main responsibility for conventional defense in Europe. They also agreed that NATO should transition from being an alliance of dependent nations to one of substantive partners, referred to as 'NATO 3.0.' In a speech at the Normandy American Cemetery, Hegseth reiterated the need for allies to expand their defense responsibilities. He stated, "As we face an increasingly complex threat environment, we are applying the lessons learned on this beach 82 years ago. A strong alliance that fully fulfills its respective roles wins wars." He added, "Peace is secured only through strength, and that strength must be present on both sides of the Atlantic, reinforced by readiness, shared military capabilities, and unwavering political will." Hegseth emphasized that while the U.S. will continue to lead Western security, capable allies must also step up alongside the U.S. in critical moments. This message suggests that European nations should no longer rely solely on the U.S. and must take a more prominent role in conventional defense. It also reflects frustrations from the Trump administration regarding European allies' passive stance during the conflict with Iran. At the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore last month, Hegseth warned that "allies who refuse to actively contribute to our collective defense will face a clear change in how we operate." The Trump administration has recently indicated plans to reduce U.S. troop levels and key conventional forces stationed in Europe, raising the possibility of NATO withdrawal due to European allies' reluctance to support military action against Iran. Europe Considers EU Membership Amid Security Concerns As concerns grow that the U.S. security umbrella may be weakening, there is an increasing movement in Europe to reconsider or pursue EU membership. Currently, nine countries are formal candidates for EU membership: Ukraine, Moldova, Montenegro, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia, Serbia, Georgia, and Turkey. Additionally, Nordic countries, which previously felt less urgency to join the EU due to their higher economic levels and fishing rights issues, are showing signs of change. Iceland, which froze its EU membership negotiations in 2013, plans to hold a referendum on August 29 to ask citizens whether to resume those talks. Norway, which rejected EU membership in referendums in 1972 and 1994, is also revisiting the discussion. Ine Eriksen Søreide, leader of Norway's Conservative Party, stated in a March interview with Politico that, given the geopolitical situation with threats from Russia and conflicts in the Middle East, "becoming a full member of the EU is the most beneficial for Norway." Recently, voices within the ruling party have also begun to emphasize the need for EU membership. In the UK, which voted to leave the EU in a 2016 referendum, discussions about rejoining have resurfaced. Growing public sentiment reflects the economic losses and diminished international influence experienced since Brexit. In the wake of the Labour Party's defeat in local elections, former Health Secretary Wes Streeting expressed his intention to run for party leader, advocating that the Labour Party should pledge to rejoin the EU in the next general election. He described Brexit as a "catastrophic mistake," arguing that it has left the UK "weaker and poorer than it has been since the Industrial Revolution" and has resulted in a loss of control. However, the current Labour government has drawn a line against rejoining the EU or returning to the single market and customs union, opting instead to pursue a closer cooperative relationship with the EU to redefine post-Brexit ties.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-07 15:18:00

Ministry of SMEs Reports Significant Increase in Small Business Support Applications The Ministry of SMEs and Startups has reported a significant increase in applications for its "Small Business Policy Notification Service." This surge is attributed to enhanced customized policy guidance aimed at small business owners who face challenges in accessing information. According to the ministry, a notification sent on March 20 to 213,000 women small business owners aged 20 to 40 regarding the Ministry of Employment and Labor's maternity benefits program led to a more than 1.3-fold increase in applications immediately following the notification. Notably, applications from sole proprietors, who often have limited time to search for information, increased by approximately 1.7 times. Additionally, due to the lack of a dedicated small business database, the ministry conducted tailored outreach for five local government programs, including maternity support and fire insurance premium assistance. This outreach targeted 67,000 individuals based on criteria such as location, residency, industry, age, and gender. Analysis of the results from these local government programs revealed that applications increased by 4 to 20 times compared to before the notifications were sent, demonstrating a greater promotional impact than that of central government programs. Among all applicants, approximately 31.1% were recipients of the notifications, indicating that the policy alerts significantly contributed to increased participation in these programs. Building on this success, the ministry plans to continue providing easy and convenient access to information about support programs for small businesses in the second half of the year. Furthermore, it aims to strengthen collaboration with other ministries and local governments to continuously identify and expand the scope of programs promoted through notifications, while refining the criteria for selecting small business recipients to enhance the accuracy and effectiveness of policy guidance. Han Seong-sook, Minister of SMEs and Startups, stated, "The effectiveness of the policy notification service as a promotional tool for small business support programs has been confirmed. We will expand the provision of customized information that accurately reflects the characteristics of different target groups and situations based on the data we have accumulated on small businesses."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-07 15:12:00

Government Launches Comprehensive Survey of Century-Old Small Businesses 정부가 '백년소상공인' 육성 정책의 대대적인 손질에 착수한다. 전국 2300여개 백년소상공인을 대상으로 매출, 고용, 영업 방식, 가업승계 현황 등을 전수 조사해 획일적 지원에서 벗어난 맞춤형 지원 체계를 마련한다는 구상이다. On June 7, the Small Enterprise and Market Service announced that the government will conduct a comprehensive survey of over 2,300 designated century-old small businesses across the country. The aim is to move away from a one-size-fits-all support model and establish a tailored support system based on sales, employment, business operations, and succession status. The survey will cover all 2,326 businesses as of February, including 1,407 century-old stores and 919 century-old small enterprises. Survey teams will conduct both phone and in-person interviews. Key survey items include: basic business status, actual size in terms of sales and number of employees, online and offline sales methods and revenue proportions, and the status of business succession and future plans. Particularly, the survey aims to address the issue of business succession, which has been a significant factor in the closure of many businesses, particularly due to the reluctance of younger generations to take over family businesses. The data collected will help tackle the excessive tax burdens that arise during the inheritance of small businesses. Critics have pointed out that government tax support for business succession has primarily focused on corporate small and medium-sized enterprises, leaving many small businesses without institutional benefits. The industry views this comprehensive survey as a crucial step to alleviate concerns stemming from budget cuts and to establish a foundation for the survival of these long-standing businesses. The budget for supporting century-old small businesses reached 7.695 billion won in 2022 but has since plummeted to around 400 million won last year. This year, the budget has been increased by approximately 1 billion won to 1.472 billion won, but industry insiders believe it remains insufficient to fully support all 2,300 designated businesses. To shed the negative perception of merely providing plaques and neglecting support, there are calls for a targeted approach to assist struggling small businesses alongside those that have already established self-sustainability. As of the end of 2025, a total of 41 century-old small businesses (23 century-old stores and 18 century-old small enterprises) had their designations revoked due to management deterioration or failure to meet requirements, highlighting the urgent need for a systematic post-management system. A representative from the Small Enterprise and Market Service stated, "Through this comprehensive survey, we will provide tailored support to each business based on their specific needs, even in the face of reduced budgets." 2026-06-07 15:09:00

KGC and Lotte Duty Free Sign MOU to Enhance Duty-Free Product Offerings KGC and Lotte Duty Free have formed a partnership aimed at attracting duty-free customers. On June 7, KGC announced that it has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Lotte Duty Free to develop differentiated products and enhance customer experiences. The signing ceremony took place on June 4 at Lotte Duty Free's Myeongdong flagship store in Seoul, attended by KGC Sales Head Kim Tae-won and Lotte Duty Free Product Division Head Lee Jung-min, among other officials from both companies. The agreement aims to jointly plan duty-free exclusive products and services based on the brand strengths of both companies, while expanding customer touchpoints domestically and internationally. The two companies plan to collaborate on the exclusive development of Jonggwanjang's 'Ppurisam' product and the launch of collaborative editions involving intellectual property (IP). Notably, Jonggwanjang will introduce a limited edition 'Everytime' product in collaboration with the global character brand Sanrio, available exclusively at Lotte Duty Free during the Chuseok season. They will also expand their online and offline marketing collaboration. Promotions and experiential content targeting both domestic and foreign tourists will be strengthened, and the renewal of Jonggwanjang stores in major Lotte Duty Free locations will be carried out in phases. Recently, interest in K-health supplements has surged in the duty-free channel, leading to a continuous increase in demand for Jonggwanjang products among foreign customers. Jonggwanjang is currently available across all channels, including Lotte Duty Free's city stores, airport locations, and online duty-free shops. In the first quarter of this year, foreign sales of Jonggwanjang at Lotte Duty Free increased by 35% compared to the same period last year, with sales to Chinese customers rising by 46%. Kim Tae-won, KGC's Sales Head, stated, "Through this strategic collaboration with Lotte Duty Free, we expect to secure a wider range of customer touchpoints and enhance the brand value of Jonggwanjang. We will continue to strengthen our competitiveness as a leading K-health supplement brand through various distribution and content collaborations." Lee Jung-min, Lotte Duty Free's Product Division Head, remarked, "Through our collaboration with Jonggwanjang, we plan to further enhance the competitiveness of exclusive products and present a differentiated shopping environment. By combining our strengths, we aim to contribute to attracting global tourists and improving customer satisfaction."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-07 15:03:00

Han Byeong-do Announces National Assembly Investigation into Election Commission Shortages Han Byeong-do, the floor leader of the Democratic Party, announced on June 7 that he would initiate a national investigation into the Election Commission's shortage of ballots. He stated that this investigation aims to thoroughly clarify the situation and could lead to not only a special investigation but also constitutional amendments that the public can understand and feel. During an emergency press briefing at the National Assembly, Han urged the People Power Party to engage in negotiations rather than making demands to march to the Blue House, saying, "If the People Power Party is sincere about resolving this issue, they should sit at the negotiating table." He added that members of the Administrative Safety Committee, who are well-versed in the Election Commission, would participate in the investigation, emphasizing that it would not be a mere formality but a substantial inquiry into the facts. Han also indicated that he would meet with opposition parties to discuss the investigation request, expressing hope that an agreement between the ruling and opposition parties could lead to a swift start next week. Additionally, he announced the establishment of a task force for electoral reform, pledging to review the Public Election Act to prevent issues like ballot shortages and improper transport from recurring. He stated, "We will examine whether the principles of oversight and checks on the Election Commission are functioning properly and will consider measures to ensure accountability through constitutional amendments." Han concluded by mentioning that a special investigation could be possible if necessary, noting that he has formed a consensus with Representative Jeong Cheong-rae on the need for substantial reforms within the National Assembly. 2026-06-07 15:03:00

CU Convenience Store Delivery Service Suffers Data Breach, Raising Security Concerns BGF Networks, which operates CU convenience store deliveries, has confirmed that customer personal information was leaked due to hacking. Following recent data breaches at companies like Coupang and GS Retail, concerns about security vulnerabilities in the retail and e-commerce sectors are growing. According to industry sources, BGF Networks identified unauthorized access by an unknown hacker on June 4, leading to the data leak, which was publicly disclosed on June 6. The leaked information includes usernames, passwords, names, birthdates, genders, addresses, emails, and mobile phone numbers. BGF Networks clarified that the leaked information pertains only to online member customers and does not include third-party information such as recipients entered during shipping. The company promptly blocked the attack's Internet Protocol (IP) address, completed security measures, and activated an incident response team. They also reported the incident to the Personal Information Protection Commission and the Korea Internet & Security Agency (KISA). BGF Networks urged customers to change their passwords if they use the same password across multiple sites, although they assured that the passwords are encrypted and secure. This incident is part of a broader trend where retail and e-commerce companies are becoming prime targets for cyberattacks. Last November, Coupang experienced a massive data leak affecting approximately 33.7 million customer accounts, including names, addresses, and contact information, due to a former employee's actions. GS Retail also confirmed data leaks affecting around 90,000 customers through its GS25 website and an additional 1.58 million records from its home shopping website. Other companies, including luxury platform Mustit, Adidas, and Papa John's Korea, reported similar breaches that year, with Papa John's leak including names, contact details, addresses, and some credit card information. In addition to customer data, there have been targeted leaks of employee information. In December, Shinsegae Group reported a breach that exposed information on about 80,000 employees, including employee numbers and department affiliations. This year, leaks have continued, with CJ Group confirming that on May 18, personal information of 330 female employees, including phone numbers, emails, job titles, departments, and photos, was posted without authorization in a public Telegram channel. Some of the leaked information reportedly included details related to the company's intranet, which is not accessible to the general public. An industry insider noted, "Retail and e-commerce companies hold vast amounts of member information, making them prime targets for hackers. Recently, attacks have diversified beyond simple system hacks to include account takeovers of partner companies, necessitating enhanced security investments and employee training." * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-07 15:00:00