Samsung Electronics Union Plans to Allocate 0-1% of Bonuses for Social Contributions Samsung Electronics' super union is expected to announce plans to allocate a portion of special bonuses for social contributions in the third or fourth quarter of this year. The initiative, which began discussions in early June, is taking shape as a voluntary participation model for employees who wish to contribute.According to industry sources on July 23, the super union communicated through its internal network that it has held several meetings regarding special bonuses and conveyed this to th July 23, 2026

Volkswagen Strengthens Autonomous Driving Partnership with Chinese AI Firm German automaker Volkswagen is enhancing its collaboration with a Chinese artificial intelligence (AI) semiconductor and autonomous driving software company.On July 23, Reuters reported that Volkswagen has decided to strengthen its partnership with the Chinese IT firm Horizon Robotics (known in Chinese as Di Ping Xian, 地平线).In 2022, Volkswagen and Horizon established a joint venture called CariZone in China. CariZone has been developing technology for Volkswagen based on Horizon's autonomous July 23, 2026

Han Byeong-do Criticizes Opposition's Political Attacks on Real Estate Forum Han Byeong-do, acting leader of the Democratic Party and floor leader, stated that President Lee Jae-myung's decision to hold a national forum on real estate policy reflects the government's operational style. He criticized the People Power Party for launching political attacks regarding the sale of the president's residence, calling it a "preconceived political offensive."During a policy coordination meeting at the National Assembly, Han remarked, "The People Power Party has been hurling indisc July 23, 2026

Kim Yong-beom: Independent Competition with US and China is Challenging Kim Yong-beom, head of the Presidential Policy Office, proposed a strategy for South Korea in the AI (artificial intelligence) hegemony competition between the United States and China, suggesting a 'multilateral cooperation' with middle powers. He emphasized that South Korea should lead the development of AI operational models in public service sectors such as healthcare, education, and administration that can be utilized globally.In a Facebook post titled 'In the Age of AI, Nations Connect the July 23, 2026

TikTok Fined $9.2 Million for Collecting User Data for Targeted Ads TikTok has been found to have collected data on what users clicked on and purchased from other shopping sites, using this information for targeted advertising. The Personal Information Protection Commission (PIPC) imposed a fine of 10.3 billion won ($9.2 million) on TikTok for collecting and using personal data without proper consent and transferring it abroad.On July 22, the PIPC held a full meeting and announced that it had imposed a total fine of 10.558 billion won ($9.3 million) on TikTok an July 23, 2026

Korea's Fair Trade Commission Strengthens Oversight of Corporate Investments The Fair Trade Commission (FTC) is intensifying its scrutiny of investment maneuvers by large corporations. The agency aims to prevent circumvention of investment bans through venture capital (CVC) and to block guarantees using special purpose companies (SPC).On July 23, the FTC announced that it will prepare a revision of the 'Enforcement Decree of the Monopoly Regulation and Fair Trade Act,' which will be open for public comment until September 1. This revision is designed to strengthen regula July 23, 2026

Former Minister Won Hee-ryong Appears for Investigation into Highway Route Change 원희룡 전 국토교통부 장관이 서울·양평고속도로 노선 변경 의혹에 관한 조사를 받기 위해 2차 종합 특별검사팀(권창영 특별검사)에 23일 출석했다.특검은 이날 오전 10시부터 직권남용권리행사방해 혐의로 원 전 장관에 대한 첫 피의자 신분 조사를 진행 중이다. 원 전 장관은 이날 오전 경기 과천시 특검 사무실에 출석해 기자들과 만나 "(특검이) 1년 넘게 고속도로 특혜를 줬다는 이유로 수사하다가 도저히 안 되는지 이제 와서는 수사 대상을 백지화 선언으로 바꿀 모양인 것 같다"며 "어떻게든 엮어보겠다는 July 23, 2026

Lotte Shopping Shares Plummet After Shin Dong-bin Announces Stake Sale Shares of Lotte Shopping are plummeting following news that Shin Dong-bin, chairman of Lotte Group, plans to sell part of his stake to secure cash liquidity. The significant stake sale has raised concerns about potential oversupply, dampening investor sentiment.As of 10:05 a.m. on July 23, Lotte Shopping shares were trading at 124,100 won, down 10,300 won (7.66%) from the previous trading day. At one point, the stock fell by as much as 12.12%, reaching 118,100 won.According to the Financial Supe July 23, 2026

Transforming Ports into Intelligent Robots: The Dawn of Physical AI Innovation The South Korean government is set to enhance its ports with artificial intelligence (AI) technology, aiming for a transformation into smart ports. The initiative envisions creating ports that function as a single intelligent robot by securing a foundation in Physical AI technology and revitalizing the related industrial ecosystem.On July 23, the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries unveiled its 'Physical AI Port Strategy' during the 11th Science and Technology Ministers' Meeting. The ministry prese July 23, 2026

SK Hynix's Success Story Faces New Challenges Ahead A domestic semiconductor company that was once on the brink of bankruptcy has emerged as a major beneficiary of the artificial intelligence (AI) revolution. SK Hynix, which had long been in Samsung Electronics' shadow as the 'perennial second place,' has solidified its position as the world's leading supplier of high-bandwidth memory (HBM), a key component in AI semiconductors, transforming the global semiconductor landscape.According to a recent report by The Economist, SK Hynix now faces its t July 23, 2026