South Korea Invests $24.5 Million in Biomass Solid Fuel Development from Livestock Manure The South Korean government is set to begin developing technology to utilize livestock manure, primarily used as fertilizer, as a power generation fuel. The initiative aims to convert manure into solid fuel to produce electricity and heat, thereby reducing environmental pollution and expanding the use of renewable energy.On July 28, the Ministry of Climate Energy and Environment and the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs will hold a kickoff meeting for the 'Biomass Solid Fuel Produc July 27, 2026

Hefei Model Gains Attention as CXMT Goes Public China's leading DRAM manufacturer Changxin Memory Technologies (CXMT), often referred to as the "Samsung and SK Hynix of China," made its stock market debut on July 27, drawing significant attention to Hefei, Anhui Province. The local state investment platform has invested over 100 billion yuan (approximately $14 billion) in CXMT over nearly a decade, leading to expectations of substantial valuation gains from the IPO.Hefei Ventures Invests Heavily in CXMT and BOEThe memory semiconductor industr July 27, 2026

Tokyo Business Travelers Struggle to Find Affordable Accommodations "These days, when I have a domestic business trip, I worry more about the hotel than the schedule," said a prominent journalist from a major Japanese newspaper. The surge in foreign tourists visiting Japan has made securing accommodations for business travelers increasingly difficult. With few available rooms and skyrocketing hotel prices, this journalist's newspaper has set a maximum lodging expense of 12,000 yen (approximately $90) per night. While it is still possible to find business hotels July 27, 2026

National Assembly Speaker Calls for Cooperation with Innovation Party for National Growth National Assembly Speaker Jo Jung-sik met with the new leadership of the Justice Innovation Party, including party leader Shin Jang-sik, to request cooperation for the nation's growth and public welfare. The Innovation Party also proposed the establishment of a special committee for political reform and constitutional amendments.On the morning of July 27, Jo emphasized the importance of collaboration with the Innovation Party now that the second half of the National Assembly's term has begun. At July 27, 2026

Korean Films Shine This Summer as 'Spider-Man' Readies for Release This summer, Korean films are making a strong showing at the box office, overcoming previous concerns about the industry. Major tentpole films and mid-sized genre pieces are attracting audiences with diverse viewing experiences, leading the trends in July as anticipation builds for upcoming Hollywood blockbusters.According to the integrated ticketing system on July 27, director Na Hong-jin's film 'Hope' drew 767,365 viewers over the weekend of July 24-26, maintaining its position at the top of t July 27, 2026

LIG D&A Develops Unmanned Surface Vehicle for Rescue Operations LIG Defense & Aerospace (LIG D&A) is set to begin the development of an unmanned surface vehicle for rescue operations, leveraging its world-class unmanned system technology accumulated in the defense sector.On July 27, LIG D&A announced that it has been selected as the lead research and development organization for the unmanned surface vehicle project aimed at supporting rescue personnel from the National Fire Agency, under the auspices of the Military-Civilian Technology Cooperation Agency.Thi July 27, 2026

BBQ Expands in Vietnam with New Locations in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City Genesis BBQ Group is accelerating its expansion in Vietnam by opening large stores in key commercial areas of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.On July 27, BBQ announced the opening of a 50-pyeong 'BBQ Green Star' location in the Pham Van Dong area of Hanoi, followed by the launch of a 45-pyeong (84-seat) 'BBQ Mi Duc' in the Phu My Hung new urban area of Ho Chi Minh City, and a 35-pyeong (48-seat) 'BBQ Thai Hoc' on Nguyen Thai Hoc Street in District 1.With these openings, BBQ has established a network July 27, 2026

Kim Yong-beom Discusses High-Value Housing Standards and Tax Policies Kim Yong-beom, head of the Presidential Policy Office, stated on July 27 that the government is in the process of refining its policies following the recent 'Real Estate Grand Debate.' He noted that the discussions highlighted many aspects that had not been previously considered, contributing to the government's policy formulation. During an appearance on CBS Radio's 'Park Sung-tae's News Show,' Kim mentioned, "We are contemplating ways to appropriately incorporate various constructive opinions July 27, 2026

Starbucks Launches New Red Bean Matcha Coco Frappuccino Amid Summer Promotions Starbucks Korea has launched a new Coco Frappuccino product and kicked off its summer season promotions.On the 27th, the company announced the release of the 'Red Bean Matcha Coco Frappuccino' to celebrate its anniversary. The Coco Frappuccino line features iced beverages made with a coconut base, gaining attention in the global beverage market.First introduced in 2024, the flagship 'Grapefruit Mango Coco Frappuccino' has surpassed cumulative sales of 6.7 million cups, ranking first in the Frapp July 27, 2026

Unidentified Bright Lights and Loud Noises Reported in South Korea's Gyeongnam Region Reports of unidentified bright flashes and loud noises have emerged from the skies over Busan, Geoje, Jinju, and Changwon in the Gyeongnam region, sparking widespread interest.On July 26, various social media platforms saw posts claiming, "I saw an object suddenly flash and move quickly in the sky," accompanied by related videos.Particularly in Jinju, videos purportedly filmed near the Air Force Command have circulated, leading to speculation about whether it was a military aircraft or a sign of July 27, 2026