Semiconductors
Jensen Huang in Seoul — urges Samsung and SK hynix to ramp up HBM supply (5–9 June)
Nvidia's chief executive, Jensen Huang, maintained an intense schedule throughout his visit to South Korea, pressing both Samsung Electronics and SK hynix to expand supplies of high-bandwidth memory (HBM). He met SK Group chairman Chey Tae-won three times over five days — encounters that ranged from informal meals of grilled pork belly and Korean fried chicken with beer to a joint press conference — reaffirming both companies' commitment to building an AI ecosystem and deepening semiconductor co-operation. Huang singled out SK hynix as "Nvidia's most important memory partner" and made a direct request for increased HBM supply.
Samsung Electronics discusses HBM4 and foundry co-operation with Jensen Huang (8 June)
Jeon Young-hyun, vice-chairman and head of Samsung's Device Solutions division, said after meeting Huang that the two sides had discussed "HBM supply, foundry co-operation and joint development of next-generation memory." Near-term talks centred on HBM4 and foundry collaboration, while longer-term discussions included joint development arrangements.
SK hynix and Nvidia complete HBM4 qualification and announce long-term technology partnership (8 June)
Huang announced that next-generation HBM4 chips had passed qualification tests at all three major memory manufacturers. He also confirmed that Nvidia had signed a multi-year technology co-operation agreement with SK hynix, with both companies announcing plans to co-develop next-generation memory for global AI data centres and to deepen a long-term technology partnership covering semiconductor design and manufacturing innovation.
Samsung Electronics in talks to produce Google's next-generation 'Ironfish' TPU (12 June)
Google is reported to be considering Samsung Electronics as a manufacturing partner for its tenth-generation AI accelerator, the TPU codenamed "Ironfish." Under the arrangement being evaluated, TSMC would produce the core compute die while Samsung would manufacture the I/O die connecting the HBM to the processor. Because Samsung also supplies the HBM itself, Google regards it as a natural partner for supply-chain diversification, given its deep familiarity with the memory architecture.
POSCO's air-solutions unit to complete rare-gas plant this month (10 June)
POSCO Air Solutions, a subsidiary of the POSCO Group steelmaking conglomerate, will complete South Korea's largest high-purity rare-gas facility this month at the Gwangyang steelworks in South Jeolla province, with commercial production commencing in the second half of the year. The plant will produce neon, xenon and krypton — all critical materials in semiconductor fabrication — for supply to Samsung Electronics and SK hynix. With annual capacity of 130,000 normal cubic metres, it can meet approximately 52% of South Korea's domestic semiconductor demand. The facility, which required investment of around 100 billion won, is the country's only fully integrated rare-gas value chain, covering everything from raw-material procurement to finished output.
Goldman Sachs and Nomura both declare semiconductor supercycle is in its early stages (11–12 June)
Goldman Sachs stated that AI computing demand remains at an early growth stage and forecast that capital expenditure by major hyperscalers next year will reach $1.1 trillion, far exceeding the Wall Street consensus of $920 billion. Nomura echoed this view at a media briefing held in Seoul, concluding that the semiconductor supercycle has only just begun.
Energy
K-Nuclear Business Roadshow hosts APEC buyers (9–10 June)
The Korea Atomic Industrial Forum and Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power jointly hosted a two-day "K-Nuclear Business Roadshow" for buyers from APEC member economies in the historic city of Gyeongju. The event was designed to help smaller South Korean nuclear-industry suppliers gain a foothold in international markets and brought together procurement officials from across the globe.
Defence & Shipbuilding
Canada's 60-trillion-won submarine contest enters its decisive final stretch (9–11 June)
Hanwha Ocean and HD Hyundai Heavy Industries — competing as separate bidders — have entered a final push to win Canada's next-generation submarine programme (CPSP), a contract valued at roughly 60 trillion won. The Canadian government is widely expected to name a preferred bidder before the federal parliament rises for its summer recess at the end of this month; some analysts believe a decision will come no later than 7 July, ahead of the NATO summit. Hanwha Ocean has proposed delivering the first vessel by 2032 and completing all four boats by 2035, a schedule that analysts say gives it a delivery-time advantage over Germany's TKMS.
Hanwha sweetens its Canadian bid with aviation-fuel investment pledge (10 June)
According to Canadian defence trade media, Hanwha has added an offer to invest in aviation-fuel production in Canada — on top of an earlier pledge on rocket manufacturing — as it mounts a final-stage campaign to secure the submarine contract.
South Korea's 7-trillion-won KDDX destroyer competition enters formal evaluation (9 June)
The Korean Next-Generation Destroyer programme (KDDX), valued at approximately 7 trillion won, has entered its formal assessment phase. Analysts suggest Hanwha Ocean is performing strongly, while HD Hyundai is working to overcome penalty points it accumulated during the evaluation process.
China signals intent to challenge Korea's three shipbuilders in SMR-powered vessels (10 June)
China has signalled its ambition to compete directly with South Korea's three major shipbuilders — HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering, Hanwha Ocean and Samsung Heavy Industries — in the market for container ships powered by small modular reactors (SMRs), framing the push as part of a broader maritime nuclear-logistics strategy. HD Korea Shipbuilding has already unveiled a design for a 15,000-TEU SMR-powered container ship, but analysts warn that China's maritime ambitions are now taking concrete form.
K-Culture & Entertainment
K-pop comeback wave — Mamamoo, BOYNEXTDOOR and BABYMONSTER release simultaneously
The first two weeks of June brought a flurry of K-pop comebacks. Mamamoo returned on 4 June with "4WARD," a special single marking the group's first full-unit release in four years. On 8 June, BOYNEXTDOOR dropped their debut full-length album "HOME," while IZNA released mini-album "SET THE TEMPO" and BABYMONSTER issued digital single "SUGAR HONEY ICE TEA" — all on the same day, generating intense activity across the K-pop market.
Mamamoo announces 26-city world tour for their 12th debut anniversary
To mark their twelfth debut anniversary in June 2026, Mamamoo have confirmed a full-group album release and announced a large-scale world tour spanning 26 cities across Asia, the Americas and Europe.
BOYNEXTDOOR to launch first world tour 'KNOCK ON Vol.2' in July
Following the release of their debut album, BOYNEXTDOOR will begin their first world tour, "KNOCK ON Vol.2," on 17 July.
Netflix animated original 'K-Pop Demon Hunters' rereleased in cinemas to mark its first anniversary (12–14 June)
"K-Pop Demon Hunters," the Netflix original animated series inspired by K-pop idol culture, was screened at 30 CGV cinemas nationwide from 12 to 14 June to mark one year since its debut. Both dubbed and subtitled versions were shown, with limited-edition merchandise given to early-arriving audiences.
South Korean entertainment format exports surpass $100m for the first time, expanding into Latin America and the Middle East
According to the Korea Creative Content Agency, exports of South Korean entertainment-show formats exceeded $100m for the first time in 2025. In 2026, Mexico's TV Azteca has commissioned a local adaptation of the "Youn's Kitchen" format, while Saudi Arabia's MBC Group is in talks to license the format of variety programme "New Journey to the West." Analysts note that the goodwill towards South Korea built by K-drama's global success is acting as an intangible asset in format licensing negotiations.
Markets
KOSPI plunges then rebounds sharply — US-Iran tensions and peak-semiconductor fears drive volatility (8–12 June)
South Korea's main KOSPI index had a turbulent week, buffeted by US-Iran tensions, fears of a US interest-rate increase and concerns that semiconductor earnings may be approaching a cyclical peak. Despite Jensen Huang's visit to Seoul, Broadcom's latest results triggered anxiety that chipmakers' profits may already be peaking. Markets then oscillated between worries about a broader Middle East conflict and hopes of a ceasefire. By the end of the week KOSPI had staged a sharp recovery, reclaiming the 8,000 level.