news highlight

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  South Korea to Stockpile 34,000 Tons of Cabbage and Radishes for Summer Supply Stability The South Korean government plans to stockpile 34,000 tons of cabbage and radishes to ensure immediate market supply in case of reduced shipments. Additionally, it will import 30 million fresh eggs and 17 million hatching eggs to meet increased summer demand. On June 17, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs announced the formation of a "Summer Agricultural Supply Stability Task Force" to proactively address potential supply instability in agricultural products during the June 17, 2026
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  Yuhan Corporation Accelerates Growth with New Drug Pipeline Following Lecraza Success As the cancer treatment drug Lecraza gains traction in both domestic and international markets, Yuhan Corporation is accelerating the development of its new drug pipeline to secure future growth. According to industry sources on June 17, Lecraza, a treatment for non-small cell lung cancer, recorded sales of 99.6 billion won ($84 million) in 2025, marking a 17% increase from the previous year’s 84.6 billion won. This growth is attributed to the approval of its combination therapy with Joh June 17, 2026
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  Zero Recovery Rate for Minor Landlord Deposit Guarantees Raises Concerns The amount of deposit guarantees for leases involving minor landlords has remained steady at around 40 billion won for two consecutive years, but the recovery rate for guarantee incidents has been alarmingly low. In both 2024 and 2025, the recovery rate for incidents related to minor landlords was recorded at 0%. While there are plans to disclose the history of legal representatives who manage contracts and finances behind the names of minors, concerns about the effectiveness of this measure per June 17, 2026
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  Ottogi's 'Royal Noodle' Sells 2 Million Units in Just One Month Ottogi announced that its 'Royal Noodle,' launched to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Yeol Noodle, has surpassed 2 million units sold within just over a month of its release. This achievement was driven by word-of-mouth on social media and online communities, without any separate television advertising. The success of Royal Noodle is attributed to its 'K-Rose' sauce, which appeals to the tastes of the younger generation. Royal Noodle features the signature spicy flavor of Yeol Noodle co June 17, 2026
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  SK Hynix Hits Record High Amid Shareholder Return Expectations SK Hynix continued its record-breaking streak, closing at an all-time high driven by expectations for increased shareholder returns. On June 17, the Korea Exchange reported that SK Hynix shares finished at 2,521,000 won, up 139,000 won (5.84%) from the previous trading day. During the session, the stock reached a peak of 2,525,000 won, setting a new record. The rise in stock price is attributed to heightened anticipation of expanded shareholder returns. Reports surfaced the previous day June 17, 2026
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  Ruling Party Faces Challenges in Completing Committee Formation by June 18 The Democratic Party has set a goal to complete the formation of committees by June 18, but as of June 17, they are facing significant challenges. However, the party has indicated that it prioritizes negotiations over the possibility of monopolizing committee positions if talks drag on. According to political sources, recent meetings between Cheon Jun-ho, the Democratic Party's chief floor leader, and Kim Seung-soo, the People Power Party's chief floor leader, have continued in the lead-u June 17, 2026
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  Tension in Securities Market as Jungang Group Begins Rehabilitation Process The securities industry is on edge following the initiation of rehabilitation proceedings for Jungang Group affiliates. Hanyang Securities is facing an exposure of 84 billion won, prompting major securities firms to assess their collateral and potential sell-down options. According to the financial investment industry on June 17, Hanyang Securities has the largest confirmed exposure among firms linked to Jungang Group. NICE Credit Rating estimated Hanyang Securities' book exposure relate June 17, 2026
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  Korea's Small Business Association Partners with LG CNS to Promote AI Adoption The Small Business Association of Korea announced on June 17 that it has signed a memorandum of understanding with LG CNS to establish a support system aimed at enhancing the competitiveness of small businesses through AI adoption. The agreement, signed during a ceremony at the Small Business Association, aligns with the government's initiative to promote AI transformation among small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The partnership aims to bridge the gap in AI utilization between large June 17, 2026
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  JW Pharmaceutical Selected for AI Drug Development Project by Health Ministry JW Pharmaceutical has been selected for a project under the Ministry of Health and Welfare's artificial intelligence (AI) drug development initiative. The company aims to accelerate the discovery of anticancer drug candidates by integrating AI with robotic synthesis automation technology. On June 17, JW Pharmaceutical announced that it has been designated as the leading research and development institution for the "Structure-Based AI Drug Development Support" project, part of the 2026 fir June 17, 2026