South Korea Warns of North Korea-Russia Military Cooperation Threat South Korea's National Security Office Chief, Wi Sung-lak, stated on July 31 that the military cooperation between North Korea and Russia directly impacts South Korea's security, emphasizing that it is not an issue to be taken lightly. He called for an end to military cooperation that violates United Nations Security Council resolutions.During a press briefing in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Wi responded to questions regarding the possibility of additional North Korean troop deployments to Russia. R August 1, 2026

KOSPI Surges Over 1,000 Points Amid Semiconductor Rally and AI Investment Signals This week, the domestic stock market experienced a record rebound after a significant drop due to concerns over the semiconductor industry and distortions in the supply and demand of single-stock leveraged products. The surge was fueled by signals of continued AI investment from major U.S. tech companies. Market attention is now focused on whether the panic selling has subsided and if the AI investment cycle will continue, along with the normalization of supply and demand leading to a sustained August 1, 2026

Kim Se-jeong to Star in 'High School Queen' Set for 2027 Release Studio Dragon is set to produce the adaptation of the Naver Webtoon 'High School Queen.'Scheduled for release in 2027, 'High School Queen' follows Kim Cheong-ha, Joseon's greatest warrior and queen, who awakens in the body of a high school girl victimized by bullying 400 years later. She uses her royal grace and martial arts skills to confront evildoers while seeking the dreams and love she could not achieve in her past life.The series is based on the Naver Webtoon 'High School Queen,' written b August 1, 2026

New Direct Bus Route from Seoul Station to Everland Launches A new express bus route will connect the northern part of Seoul directly to Everland without transfers. The 4105 bus will begin operations on August 1, linking Seoul Station, Myeongdong, and Itaewon to Everland and Yongin's Yangji area.Samsung C&T's resort division announced on July 30 that the 4105 bus will start service on August 1. The new route will depart from the Seoul Station Bus Transfer Center, passing through Sungnyemun, Namdaemun Market, Myeongdong, and Itaewon before using the highwa August 1, 2026

Next Year Will Transform the HBM Market as China Enters, Sparking Equipment Supercycle Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix are intensifying their competition in high-bandwidth memory (HBM) as they enter the production phase of the next-generation HBM4. This shift is positioning the semiconductor equipment industry as a major beneficiary. With Micron and China's largest DRAM producer, ChangXin Memory Technologies (CXMT), also ramping up HBM development and production, demand for related equipment is expected to surge.According to Swiss investment bank UBS on July 31, Samsung is projec August 1, 2026

POSCO's 'Sal de Oro' Model: President Yoon Signs MOU for Mineral Supply Chain with Argentina President Yoon Suk Yeol has highlighted POSCO Group's lithium project 'Sal de Oro' in Argentina as a prime example of critical mineral cooperation between the two countries. The government plans to diversify its energy supply lines based on HD Hyundai Oilbank's first purchase of Argentine crude oil.In a written interview with the Spanish-language international news agency EFE, released on July 31, President Yoon stated, "We will sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on critical mineral supply July 31, 2026

Court Ruling Keeps DL E&C as Contractor for Sangdaewon 2 Redevelopment 1.9 trillion won ($1.5 billion) redevelopment project in Sangdaewon 2, Seongnam, will remain with DL E&C for the time being. The court determined that the extraordinary general meeting held on May 30 likely did not meet the requirements for direct attendance and quorum. Notably, the number of direct attendees needed for contractor selection fell short by just one.On July 31, the Seongnam branch of the Suwon District Court partially granted a request for a provisional injunction filed by DL E&C a July 31, 2026

South Korea's National Assembly Passes Criminal Procedure Law Reform Ending Direct Prosecutorial Investigations 청와대는 31일 검사의 직접수사와 직접 보완수사를 폐지하는 형사소송법 개정안이 국회 본회의를 통과한 데 대해 "국회의 입법 과정과 최종 판단을 존중한다"고 밝혔다.성기홍 청와대 홍보소통수석은 이날 언론 공지를 통해 "이번 형사소송법 개정은 수사와 기소의 분리를 통해 권력의 독점과 남용을 막는 한편, 피해자와 국민 인권 보호 수준을 높임으로써 형사사법 시스템이 국민 곁으로 한 걸음 더 다가서도록 할 것"이라며 이같이 말했다.성 수석은 "청와대는 이번 개정안이 현장에서 차질 없이 시행되고 국 July 31, 2026

Blue House Respects National Assembly's Passage of Criminal Procedure Law Reform The Blue House stated on July 31 that it respects the National Assembly's legislative process and final decision regarding the amendment to the Criminal Procedure Law, which abolishes direct investigations and supplementary investigations by prosecutors.Seong Gi-hong, the Blue House's Chief of Public Communication, emphasized in a media announcement that the amendment aims to prevent the monopolization and abuse of power by separating investigation and prosecution, while enhancing the protection July 31, 2026

Acting Prosecutor General Koo Jae-hyun Resigns, Citing Responsibility for Criminal Procedure Law Revisions Acting Prosecutor General Koo Jae-hyun Resigns, Citing Responsibility for Criminal Procedure Law Revisions Koo Jae-hyun, the acting Prosecutor General, announced his resignation shortly after the National Assembly passed the amendment to the Criminal Procedure Law. According to Yonhap News on July 31, Koo stated during a press conference at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office that he felt a deep sense of responsibility regarding the law's revision and had just submitted his resignation letter. He July 31, 2026