Cellist Kim TY takes 2nd at one of world's top 3 music contests: Cellist Kim Tae-Yeon on May 31 took second place at the Queen Elisabeth Competition at the Centre for Fine Arts in Brussels. (Kumho Cultural Foundation) By Lee Jihae Cellist Kim Tae-Yeon is this year's runner-up at the Queen Elisabeth Competition, one of the world's top three classical music contests. The Kumho Cultural Foundation in Seoul said Kim on May 31 took second in the cello section of this year's event at the Centre for Fine Arts in Brussels. The winner was Ettore Pagano of Italy. K; 2026.06.04

Record May exports of USD 87.7B put Korea on track to enter top 5: The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources on June 1 released data saying exports last month broke a May record at USD 87.75 billion. Shown is Singamman Pier at Busan North Port in Busan's Nam-gu District. (Busan Port Authority) By Jeong Euiseok Exports in May broke an all-time high thanks to soaring demand for semiconductors, placing Korea on the verge of entering the ranks of the world's top five exporting countries. The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources on June 1 released May da; 2026.06.04

Taegeuk Warriors beat Trinidad & Tobago, 5-0, in pre-WC friendly: Striker Hwang Hee-chan on May 30 scores on a penalty kick in the 75th minute against Trinidad and Tobago in a friendly before the FIFA World Cup soccer finals at South Field of Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah. (Yonhap News) By Yoo Yeon Gyeong The national soccer team has won the first of two friendlies ahead of the FIFA World Cup in North America. Led by head coach Hong Myungbo, the Taegeuk Warriors destroyed Trinidad and Tobago, 5-0, on May 30 at South Field of Brigham Young Universi; 2026.06.02

Korea-Africa Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Seoul covers key issues: Minister of Foreign Affairs Cho Hyun (right) on June 1 shakes hands with his Ghanaian counterpart Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, vice chair of the African Union this year, at the Korea-Africa Foreign Ministers' Meeting at Lotte Hotel Seoul in the city's Jung-gu District. By Hong Angie Photos = Yonhap News The Korea-Africa Foreign Ministers' Meeting opened on June 1 at Lotte Hotel in Seoul's Jung-gu District. This is Seoul's first solo hosting of a meeting for 54 countries on the continent and four; 2026.06.02

24-hour KRW-USD trading to start on July 6, including holidays: KRW-USD trading from July 6 will be available 24 hours on the foreign exchange market. Shown is a display on June 1 at the trading room of Hana Bank headquarters in Seoul's Jung-gu District showing the main stock market KOSPI breaking 8,600 for the first time in history in intraday trading. (Yonhap News) By Aisylu Akhmetzianova Trading hours for KRW-USD on the foreign exchange market will be 24 uninterrupted hours a day from July 6. The Seoul Foreign Exchange Market Committee on May 31 said i; 2026.06.02

Eligibility for 'top-tier visa' expanded to professors, scientists: The Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Science and ICT on May 31 announced the expansion of eligibility for the Top-Tier Visa to professors and researchers in science and technology, in addition to personnel in corporations in cutting-edge sectors. (iClickArt) Unauthorized reproduction and redistribution of this image is prohibited under copyright law. By Koh Hyunjeong Efforts to attract the world's top personnel in science and technology have taken a major step forward. The Ministry of; 2026.06.02

Average monthly household income in Q1 rises 2.4% to KRW 5.48M: The average household income rose 2.4% in the first quarter to KRW 5.48 million per month. Shown is a scene on May 29 at a convenience store in Seoul's Jongno-gu District. By Aisylu Akhmetzianova The average monthly income of a household with one or more people in the first quarter rose 2.4% year on year to KRW 5.48 million. The Ministry of Data and Statistics on May 28 in a survey on the quarter's household trends also found that real income was up 0.4% given the inflation rate of 2.1%. Ris; 2026.06.02

[President Lee: Year 1] ④ Drive to make Korea top 5 cultural power: The administration of President Lee Jae Myung marks its first anniversary in early June. Since its launch on June 4, 2025, it has laid the groundwork for change across sectors under the national vision "A nation where the people rule, a Republic of Korea where everyone is happy." To mark this occasion, Korea.net reflects on the government's key achievements in five installments. This fourth part of the series looks at the country's progress in advancing as a global cultural power over the past y; 2026.06.02

Touring K-Arts to hold performances, exhibitions in 30 countries: The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korean Foundation for International Cultural Exchange on May 28 announced the launch of this year's Touring K-Arts project. Shown is the singing and dancing show "Look at Me" on April 14, 2025, at the Korean Cultural Center in Beijing by Miryang Arirang Art Company. (Korean Foundation for International Cultural Exchange) By Lee Jihae A touring program will soon showcase the essence of Korean culture and arts centered at Korean Cultural Center; 2026.05.29

Declaration made in Busan urges protection of geological heritage: Participants on May 27 hold up a 9 m-long Hanji (traditional paper) inscribed with the KGA Korea Declaration at an international symposium on KGA conservation strategies at the convention center BEXCO in Busan's Haeundae-gu District. (Korea Heritage Service) By Koh Hyunjeong The newly announced KGA (Key Geoheritage Areas) Korea Declaration defines geological heritage as a common asset of humanity and upholds the principal that the world must jointly conserve it. The Korea Heritage Service (KH; 2026.05.29

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