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South Korean President Lee Jae Myung has nominated Han Seong-sook, the minister for SMEs and Startups, as the next prime minister. If confirmed by the National Assembly, she would become the first female prime minister of the Lee administration and the second in the country's history. Han, a former Naver CEO, is expected to lead an AI transformation, and a confirmation hearing is scheduled for next week.
South Korean protesters rallied for a ninth day over ballot shortages that disrupted local elections, demanding a new vote. The demonstrations have drawn thousands, with President Lee Jae Myung urging restraint and ordering an investigation into the incident.
South Korea's cosmetics exports reached $5.6 billion in the January-May period, making beauty products the country's top consumer export item for the first time. Driven by growing demand in the U.S. and Europe, the industry has also seen its trade surplus exceed $10 billion, with the government vowing to foster it as a new export engine.
Kim Yo-jong, sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, declared the country's nuclear weapons status 'absolutely irreversible' and rejected international calls for denuclearization as an 'anachronistic dream,' responding to G7 statements and US-China summit discussions.
During his four-day visit to South Korea, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang met with the heads of Krafton and NCSoft, discussing collaboration beyond gaming, including AI. He also appeared on a popular Korean talk show and engaged with local gaming communities.
South Korea's former President Yoon Suk Yeol was questioned by a special counsel team over allegations he directed officials to send messages to allies justifying his martial law declaration. Yoon denied the main allegations, according to his lawyer. The questioning lasted about two hours, with Yoon at the office for roughly six and a half hours.
President Lee Jae Myung marked Memorial Day by emphasizing the nation's duty to honor those who died in service, while Prime Minister Kim Min-seok highlighted government support for patriots and their families. Lee also spoke at a repatriation ceremony underscoring the South Korea-U.S. alliance.
Chef Austin Kang has partnered with Major League Baseball on the MLB Breakfast Club, a campaign inviting South Korean fans to watch morning games at his Seoul restaurant Mukjung. Former players Eric Thames, Kim Byung-hyun and Dustin Nippert joined the launch, highlighting food and shared baseball culture. The initiative aims to weave MLB viewing into fans’ daily routines through themed dishes and watch parties.
The US State Department has authorized potential foreign military sales to South Korea, including JDAM precision bombs worth $106 million and AMRAAM missiles worth $292 million. The sales aim to enhance South Korea's defense capabilities and interoperability with US forces, pending congressional notification and review.
The South Korean government posthumously awarded the order of national security merit to four Navy officers killed in a P-3CK patrol plane crash last year, while a separate incident saw a Navy noncommissioned officer die during a drill near Yeonpyeong Island, prompting a joint investigation.
South Korean police dispersed protesters and secured ballot boxes from a polling station in southern Seoul, allowing the final vote count for the June 3 local elections to be completed. The protests, triggered by a ballot paper shortage at over a dozen polling stations, delayed the declaration of results in affected areas. Incumbent Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon was confirmed as the winner with 49.22% of the vote.
South Korean stocks fell sharply, with the KOSPI dropping over 5% on June 5, 2026, as investors locked in profits from a tech-led rally amid uncertainty over US-Iran peace negotiations. The won weakened against the dollar, and foreign investors continued selling.
Prime Minister Kim Min-seok has called for a thorough investigation into the unprecedented shortage of ballots at polling stations in Seoul during the June 3 local elections, describing it as a grave challenge to democracy. The incident has sparked public outrage and protests, with the National Assembly launching procedures for a potential parliamentary investigation.
During a visit to Mongolia, South Korea's Unification Minister Chung Dong-young proposed a four-way dialogue involving the two Koreas, the US, and China, and met with President Ukhnaa Khurelsukh to seek support for Seoul's peaceful coexistence policy. He also called for an EU-led initiative to facilitate inter-Korean dialogue.
San Francisco Giants outfielder Lee Jung-hoo extended his hitting streak to 17 games on June 9, breaking the previous record for the longest hitting streak by a South Korean player in Major League Baseball. The streak ended at 18 games on June 12, with Lee finishing the run batting .500.
Former U.S. Ambassador Kathleen Stephens said the planned transfer of wartime operational control to South Korea does not mean the end of the alliance, expressing confidence that Seoul and Washington can manage the transition. Her remarks came amid discussions on modernizing the alliance and concerns raised by U.S. Ambassador Philip Goldberg about potential strains.
South Korea's Foreign Minister Cho Hyun met Turkish counterpart Hakan Fidan for talks on cooperation and regional security, while First Vice Foreign Minister Park Yoon-joo consulted with New Zealand's Deputy Secretary Bede Corry on energy and other issues. Yonhap reported on both diplomatic engagements in Seoul.
The South Korean won fell to its weakest point since 2009 against the U.S. dollar on Friday, driven by renewed Middle East tensions, foreign investor selling, and fading hopes for a diplomatic resolution. The KOSPI also plunged, and authorities signaled possible intervention to curb excessive volatility.
Yonhap reports Starbucks Korea's payment volume fell sharply in May following a promotion tied to the May 18 Gwangju uprising. The 'Tank Day' campaign was suspended within hours after public backlash, with weekly payments dropping 26.3% in one week and monthly payments slipping over 10 billion won.
South Korean stocks ended lower on Thursday, breaking a three-session rally, as investors took profits after record highs. The KOSPI dropped 1.84%, while the won weakened sharply against the dollar.