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Korean-American Singer Lee Jae Shines at North America World Cup Opening Ceremony 2026 FIFA North America World Cup opening ceremony featured Korean-American singer-songwriter Lee Jae, who captivated global soccer fans with his performance of Korean lyrics. On June 12, at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, the opening ceremony showcased the official World Cup theme song "DNA." The stage included renowned tenor Andrea Bocelli and Lee Jae, marking the commencement of the tournament. During the performance, Lee Jae passionately sang the Korean lyrics, "Even if I fall again, I will rise again," eliciting enthusiastic cheers from the crowd of over 87,000. The presence of Korean lyrics heightened the excitement of the event. FIFA had previously announced the official theme song "DNA" on its social media, featuring Andrea Bocelli, Lee Jae, David Guetta, and Megan Thee Stallion. Lee Jae made a significant impact by performing the Korean lyrics in the latter part of the song. Lee Jae has been actively involved in the K-pop industry as a Korean-American singer-songwriter. He has contributed to numerous tracks for K-pop artists, including TWICE, Red Velvet, aespa, and NMIXX, and participated in the production of the Netflix animated series "K-pop Demon Hunters" OST released last year. Notably, the OST track "Golden" achieved global success, bringing Lee Jae's name to the forefront of the international music scene. The song topped the Billboard Hot 100 chart and won a Golden Globe for Best Original Song, generating significant buzz. This marks the second instance of a Korean artist performing the official theme song at a World Cup opening ceremony. Previously, BTS member Jungkook performed the official theme song "Dreamers" at the 2022 Qatar World Cup opening ceremony, capturing the attention of fans worldwide. Meanwhile, this tournament, co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada, will feature opening celebration performances in each host country. The U.S. opening ceremony is set to include a performance by BLACKPINK member Lisa, drawing further interest in another K-pop star's appearance. 2026-06-12 11:06:00 -
Jung Jeom-sik Calls for Opposition Control of Judiciary Committee Chair Jung Jeom-sik, the leader of the People Power Party, urged the government and ruling party on June 12 to shift their national policy direction and asserted that the chair of the Judiciary Committee should be returned to the opposition in the formation of the National Assembly's second half. In his first press conference since taking office, Jung stated, "The composition of the National Assembly in the second half must fully reflect the public sentiment for checks and balances demonstrated in the June 3 local elections." He called on the Lee Jae-myung government and the Democratic Party to respond to the public sentiment revealed in the local elections by shifting three key national policies: modifying economic policies related to real estate, taxes, and labor; normalizing judicial procedures; and restoring the National Assembly's functionality. Jung emphasized that the principle of the People Power Party's negotiations for the second half of the National Assembly is to restore checks and balances, stating, "Above all, the normalization of the Judiciary Committee is urgent." He added, "The Judiciary Committee must be returned to the opposition. Restoring the chair of the Judiciary Committee is essential to ending the legislative dictatorship centered around Jeong Cheong-rae and Choo Mi-ae and reviving a National Assembly of checks and balances. To lead the shift in economic and real estate policy direction, the opposition should take charge of related committees such as the Political Affairs Committee, the Finance and Economy Planning Committee, the Industry, Trade, Small and Medium Enterprises Committee, and the Land, Infrastructure and Transport Committee." Regarding the formation of a special committee for the investigation into the 'ballot shortage crisis,' he proposed that the chair be held by the People Power Party, with half of the committee members from the Democratic Party and the other half from the opposition. He criticized the Democratic Party's stance, saying, "An investigation is an investigation, and a special prosecution is a special prosecution. They must proceed in a dual track. The Democratic Party's claim to conduct a special prosecution based on the results of the investigation is an act that obstructs the truth-finding process." He also expressed concerns about Han Seung-sook, the nominee for Prime Minister, stating, "She is not just a multiple homeowner but a super multiple homeowner with three houses in Seoul, one in Gyeonggi Province, and a building worth 9.7 billion won. If we do not apply the strict standards we intend to impose on low-level public officials to the Prime Minister, public trust in this government's real estate policy will be completely lost."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-12 11:06:00 -
Employment Decline Marks 17-Month Low Amid Ongoing Middle East Conflict Kwon Chang-jun, Deputy Minister of Employment and Labor, stated on June 12 that it is difficult to predict when the employment situation will recover due to the prolonged Middle East conflict. He emphasized that all government departments must work together to respond swiftly, and the Ministry of Labor will do its utmost to improve employment conditions. Kwon made these remarks during an employment situation assessment meeting with key officials from the ministry and heads of seven regional employment and labor offices. The meeting was convened following an urgent directive from Minister Kim Young-hoon due to the worsening employment situation last month. According to the National Data Agency's report on employment trends released the previous day, the number of employed individuals decreased by 40,000 compared to the same month last year. This marks the first decline in employment since December 2024, when the domestic economy was affected by the emergency measures and government job programs ended. The employment rate for those aged 15 and older also fell by 0.5 percentage points year-on-year to 63.3%. This decline marks the second consecutive month of decreases following April's figures. Despite a boom in the semiconductor industry, the ongoing Middle East conflict has led to a reduction of 140,000 manufacturing workers, the largest drop since February 2019, continuing a 23-month streak of decline. The youth employment sector, particularly among those aged 15 to 29, has also seen significant setbacks, with a decrease of 255,000 jobs compared to a year ago, the largest drop since January 2021. During the meeting, Kwon noted, "To prevent temporary economic fluctuations from leading to an employment crisis, we will focus on providing employment stability programs, such as job retention subsidies, to companies struggling due to the Middle East conflict." He also mentioned plans to designate additional regions or industries as areas requiring special employment support if signs of employment crises are detected through consultations with local governments and industry associations. Kwon pledged to closely monitor the execution of crisis response programs funded by supplementary budgets and youth New Deal initiatives, ensuring that any delays due to guidelines or institutional limitations are addressed promptly and flexibly. He urged regional office heads to visit local areas as needed, emphasizing the importance of assessing employment retention in manufacturing-heavy regions and the impact on construction sites. Kwon stressed the necessity of thorough inspections to ensure that vulnerable sectors, such as subcontractors, receive the necessary support amid economic challenges. He concluded by highlighting the need for the regional offices and the ministry to work in unison to effectively navigate this crisis.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-12 11:03:00 -
Jung Cheong-rae Criticizes Opposition's Election Fraud Theories, Considers Special Investigation Jung Cheong-rae, the leader of the Democratic Party, criticized the People Power Party on June 12 for its unfounded claims regarding election fraud, which arose from the mismanagement of the Election Commission during the June 3 local elections and by-elections. The Democratic Party announced its intention to utilize all measures, including a national investigation and a special probe, to address the situation. During a Supreme Council meeting in Gwangju, Jung stated, "The People Power Party is promoting conspiracy theories about election fraud and calling for the abolition of early voting, which only serves to divide the public." He emphasized, "The Democratic Party will not be swayed by any attempts to obscure the essence of the issue and will focus solely on establishing the foundations of democracy and protecting voting rights." Jung also noted the public's intense anger, demanding accountability and measures to prevent future occurrences, stating, "We will take all necessary actions in the National Assembly until the public understands the situation." He called for the adoption of a national investigation plan next week and urged the immediate activation of a special committee for the investigation, asserting that a special probe should be conducted promptly to uncover the truth. Meanwhile, a request for a national investigation into the Election Commission's situation was reported in the previous day's plenary session. Although there are differences between the ruling and opposition parties regarding the formation of the special committee, there is a shared understanding of the necessity for a national investigation, suggesting that it will take place soon.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-12 11:03:00 -
South Korea Advances Commercialization of Graphene, a 'Dream Material' The South Korean government is moving forward with the industrialization of graphene, often referred to as a "dream material." The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy hosted the "Global Graphene Technology Exchange Conference" on June 11-12 at the Korea Science and Technology Center in Seoul, bringing together experts from academia and industry both domestically and internationally. Graphene is a two-dimensional material made of carbon atoms arranged in a honeycomb structure. It boasts superior electrical conductivity compared to copper and exceptional strength while remaining lightweight. As a result, it has been hailed as a potential "game changer" in advanced industries such as semiconductors, batteries, future mobility, and aerospace. However, the high production costs and lack of mass production technology have limited its commercialization. Graphene was discovered in 2004, and while research has surged since then, practical applications in industry have been scarce. Recently, the demand for high-performance heat dissipation and lightweight materials in advanced sectors like AI semiconductors, next-generation mobility, and aerospace has increased the necessity for graphene's commercialization. This conference was organized to facilitate discussions on the commercialization of graphene as a key material to address these needs. Over 110 companies participated in the event, including the Graphene Flagship, Europe’s largest graphene research initiative, and the European Advanced Materials Innovation Initiative (IAM-I). Additionally, more than 20 one-on-one business matching sessions were conducted between demand companies, such as Airbus and Hyundai Mobis, and graphene suppliers, aiming to create practical commercialization opportunities. Prior to the conference, the ministry held a regular meeting of the "Graphene Commercialization Promotion Team," which was established in September of last year, to review the graphene commercialization technology roadmap. The roadmap focuses on expanding application areas across advanced industries, starting with heat dissipation materials, next-generation battery electrode materials, aerospace shielding materials, and biosensor responsive materials. The ministry plans to announce the technology roadmap next month, incorporating global technological trends and industry feedback discussed at the event. Choi Woo-hyuk, Director of Advanced Industry Policy at the Ministry, stated, "Graphene is a next-generation core material that will determine the competitiveness of advanced industries. It is crucial to move beyond research and development to commercialization and market leadership. We will systematically support technology development, demand linkage, and proof-of-concept based on the graphene commercialization technology roadmap by establishing a global industry-academia-research cooperation platform."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-12 11:03:00 -
Kyowon Wells' Wellness Talk Show 'Shinshin Dangbu' Surpasses 13 Million Views Kyowon Wells' wellness talk show series 'Shinshin Dangbu' has surpassed 13 million cumulative views. On June 12, Kyowon announced that 'Shinshin Dangbu' is a YouTube content series featuring brand ambassador Shin A-ra sharing wellness tips for daily living. The series has been presented since March as part of Kyowon Wells' wellness branding strategy. The content is designed to promote Kyowon Wells' wellness solutions, targeting the health-conscious 40 to 50 age group, with a focus on dietary habits and anti-aging. So far, six episodes have been released, with viewership steadily increasing: Episode 1 has 700,000 views, Episode 2 has 1.91 million views, Episode 3 has 1.98 million views, Episode 4 has 2.04 million views, Episode 5 has 2.16 million views, and Episode 6 has 4.54 million views, showing a trend of rising viewership with each episode. The show's popularity is attributed to its focus on real health concerns, addressing relatable topics such as dietary habits, aging management, and rhinitis, which resonate with viewers and effectively communicate Kyowon Wells' wellness solutions in an approachable manner. Notably, Episode 6, released on May 22, recorded the highest viewership among the episodes. It featured guest appearances by obstetrician Hong Seo-yeon and comedian Jung Seong-ho, discussing common health issues for middle-aged individuals, including menopause and hemorrhoids, while also introducing the 'Spa One' bidet from Kyowon Wells and its use for sitz baths. The 'Shinshin Dangbu' series will run a total of 12 episodes until November, continuing to showcase various wellness solutions and healthy lifestyle information, including new products from Kyowon Wells. Kyowon Wells appointed Shin A-ra as its brand ambassador in February and has been releasing various branded content, including 'Shinshin Dangbu' and 'Shin A-ra's Wells Routine' on its official YouTube channel. As a result, the number of subscribers to the Kyowon Wells YouTube channel has increased by 380% since February. A representative from Kyowon Wells stated, "The positive response seems to stem from our ability to present customers' interests, such as home-cooked recipes using Kyowon Wells' mineral water, in a relatable and accessible manner."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-12 10:57:00 -
President Lee's Approval Rating Drops to 57% Amid Election Concerns President Lee Jae-myung's approval rating has fallen to 57%, marking the lowest level this year, according to a survey released on June 12.The Korea Gallup poll, conducted from June 9 to 11 with 1,002 eligible voters aged 18 and older, found that 57% of respondents rated Lee's job performance positively. This represents a 7 percentage point drop from a survey conducted just before local elections in the third week of May. Lee's approval rating had previously reached 58% in surveys from the third week of January and the first week of February, but has since declined.The disapproval rating rose to 35%, an increase of 7 percentage points from the last survey, while 8% of respondents were undecided.Respondents cited the economy and public welfare as the primary reasons for their positive evaluations, accounting for 21%, followed by foreign affairs at 12%. Conversely, the leading reason for disapproval was concerns over election integrity and issues with the election commission, which accounted for 16%. Economic issues, high living costs, and currency exchange rates were cited by 14%, while real estate policies garnered 9%. Issues of morality and avoidance of personal legal challenges were mentioned by 8% as reasons for disapproval.Korea Gallup noted that this is the first time in four months that the president's approval rating has fallen below 60%, and the ruling party's support has also declined. The survey indicated that concerns regarding the election commission were prominently mentioned, reflecting the impact of recent shortages of ballots.The survey was conducted using randomly selected virtual numbers provided by the three major mobile carriers and was carried out through telephone interviews. The margin of error is ±3.1 percentage points at a 95% confidence level, with a response rate of 11.3% and a contact rate of 42.9%.For more details, visit the Central Election Survey Deliberation Commission's website.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-12 10:57:00 -
South Korean comic book artist receives France's highest cultural honor SEOUL, June 12 (AJP) - Comic book artist Keum Suk Gendry-Kim has received one of France's highest cultural honors, Korea Manhwa Contents Agency (KOMACON) said on Friday. Gendry-Kim was awarded a Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres by the French government, which recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to the enrichment of French arts and literature. She has garnered attention at home and abroad for works including her autobiographical novel "Le chant de mon père" (2012), "Jiseul" (2015), and "Grass" (2017), among many others. In particular, "Grass" won the Best International Book award at the prestigious U.S. Harvey Awards in 2020. In a congratulatory message to her, French Ambassador to Seoul Philippe Bertoux praised Gendry-Kim for serving as an "important bridge" between South Korea and France by translating about 100 Korean comics into French. He also said her award is even more meaningful as it comes as the two countries mark the 140th anniversary of diplomatic relations this year. Born in Goheung, South Jeolla Province, she lived for several years in France before moving to South Korea in 2011 with her husband, Loïc Gendry. KOMACON President Baek Jong-hoon said, "Her award shows that South Korean comic books and webtoons are now earning recognition beyond popular appeal and commercial success." 2026-06-12 10:56:54 -
Han Byeong-do: No Plans to Hand Over Legislative Committee to People Power Party Han Byeong-do, the leader of the Democratic Party, demanded on June 12 that the People Power Party cooperate in the formation of committees, stating, "The position of the chair of the Legislative and Judiciary Committee is not negotiable." He emphasized the need to secure the committee to expedite the processing of national agenda items and legislation affecting people's livelihoods. During a Supreme Council meeting held in Gwangju, Han noted, "The legislative progress in areas where the People Power Party held committee chairs during the first half of the National Assembly was significantly slow." He added, "If the People Power Party takes control of the Legislative and Judiciary Committee, it is clear that they will obstruct all national agenda items and issues affecting people's livelihoods," stressing that the consequences would ultimately fall on the public. He reiterated, "The principle for this committee formation is solely a functional National Assembly that delivers results." The day before, Jeong Jeom-sik, the new leader of the People Power Party, indicated that he would be willing to relinquish the chair of the Legislative and Judiciary Committee, suggesting that negotiations between the two parties may face challenges. Additionally, Han urged the People Power Party to participate in a proposed Economic and Livelihood Committee. Earlier, National Assembly Speaker Kim Jong-in had requested both Han and Jeong to work on forming this committee. In response, Han pointed out that there are 87 bills that passed through the Legislative and Judiciary Committee during the first half of the National Assembly that remain unaddressed, urging the People Power Party to cooperate in bringing these bills to a vote in the plenary session.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-12 10:54:00 -
Homeplus asks Meritz to double emergency loan SEOUL, June 12 (AJP) - Embattled hypermarket chain Homeplus asked its largest creditor, Meritz Financial Group, to extend 200 billion won ($131.4 million) in emergency operating funds, saying the 100 billion won loan currently under review falls short of what it needs to survive court-led rehabilitation. Meritz, which had long balked at the retailer's loan requests, signaled a day earlier that it could lend up to 100 billion won — the amount jointly guaranteed by Homeplus' private equity owner MBK Partners. "If only 100 billion won, half the required amount, is provided, we cannot complete the store closures currently under way, and resuming product supply will also become difficult," Homeplus said in a statement. The company said securing the full amount would allow it to streamline stores, normalize product supply and restore supplier confidence, laying the groundwork to implement its rehabilitation plan. Time is running short. The deadline for creditors to approve the rehabilitation plan is July 3, and even with a one-time extension, proceedings must conclude before Sept. 3. The plea comes after Homeplus permanently closed 37 underperforming outlets — about a third of its 104 hypermarkets — that had been suspended since May 10, a move that put about 3,500 jobs at risk. Homeplus has been bleeding cash since filing for court receivership in March last year, the first of South Korea's big three hypermarket operators to do so. Even the roughly 120 billion won expected from the sale of Homeplus Express to a Harim Group affiliate is dwarfed by supplier arrears estimated at about 200 billion won. 2026-06-12 10:53:33