Korean Government and IITP Launch Development of Agentic AI Technologies with $15 Million Investment The Ministry of Science and ICT has officially launched a research and development project aimed at developing core technologies for agentic artificial intelligence (AI). The initiative seeks to cultivate the domestic agentic AI industry by securing technologies that enable AI to make decisions and act independently in real-world environments without human intervention.On July 30, the Ministry and the Institute for Information and Communications Technology Planning and Evaluation (IITP) held a k July 30, 2026

Samsung SDI Returns to Profit for the First Time in Seven Quarters Samsung SDI has returned to profitability for the first time in seven quarters, driven by increased sales of batteries for AI data centers and European electric vehicles. The company achieved this turnaround earlier than expected, recording a cumulative operating profit for the first half of the year.On July 30, Samsung SDI reported consolidated revenues of 3.7688 trillion won and an operating profit of 203.8 billion won for the second quarter of 2026. This represents an 18.5% increase year-on-y July 30, 2026

Hana Financial Leads $3.4 Billion Project Financing for Jamsil Development 하나금융그룹이 서울 잠실종합운동장 일대를 복합시설로 개발하는 민간투자사업의 4조원 규모 프로젝트파이낸싱(PF)을 이끈다. 하나금융은 '잠실 스포츠·마이스(MICE) 복합공간 조성 민간투자사업'의 PF 금융 조달을 추진한다고 30일 밝혔다. 이번 사업은 잠실종합운동장 일대 약 35만㎡ 부지에 전시·컨벤션시설과 돔 야구장, 스포츠콤플렉스, 숙박·상업·업무시설 등을 짓는 사업이다. 하나금융은 한화 건설부문, IPARK현대산업개발 등과 컨소시엄을 구성해 2021년 12월 우선협상대상자로 선정됐다. 이후 July 30, 2026

Han Byeong-do Calls for End to Opposition's Filibuster as Criminal Procedure Bill is Introduced Han Byeong-do, acting leader of the Democratic Party and floor leader, stated that a bill aimed at abolishing supplementary investigation rights will be introduced in the National Assembly today. He urged the People Power Party to stop inciting support for the prosecution and to join efforts to establish a criminal justice system for the people.During a party meeting, Han noted, "The People Power Party is also planning a filibuster today." He added, "The Democratic Party will work to reform the July 30, 2026

Supreme Court Upholds Fine for Dealer Refusing Reinstatement After Unlawful Dismissal The Supreme Court ruled that employers must comply with reinstatement orders from labor committees, even if the original contract period has ended. Refusing reinstatement on the grounds of contract expiration is deemed illegal.According to legal sources on July 30, the Supreme Court's second division, led by Justice Eom Sang-pil, upheld a lower court's decision to impose a fine of 1.5 million won on Jo, the representative of a car dealership, for violating labor laws.Jo notified sales representa July 30, 2026

KT Fined $40 Million for Data Breach and Unauthorized Charges The Personal Information Protection Commission (PIPC) has imposed a fine of approximately 54 billion won (about $40 million) on KT for a data breach and unauthorized small payments resulting from illegal femtocells. The PIPC evaluated the actual financial damage heavily, while also considering the scale of the breach, the types of information involved, compensation for victims, and corrective measures in determining the fine.On July 29, the PIPC announced in a meeting that it had decided to impo July 30, 2026

Government Completes 97% of National Farmland Survey, 27% Suspected of Violations The government has classified 27% of the farmland surveyed nationwide as areas suspected of violating farmland laws. Notably, 21% of all farmland is suspected of illegal leasing, where owners are not actively farming despite being registered as self-cultivators. On July 30, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs announced the progress of the "National Farmland Survey and Future Plans" at the Government Sejong Complex. The ministry plans to complete the basic farmland survey by the July 30, 2026

Court Dismisses Lee Kyu-won’s Constitutional Appeal in Kim Hak-eui Case Lee Kyu-won, a former deputy chief prosecutor at the Daegu District Prosecutors' Office, had his constitutional appeal dismissed by the Constitutional Court after he sought to overturn a Supreme Court ruling related to his conviction for creating a false interview report in the investigation of former Justice Ministry official Kim Hak-eui's alleged involvement in a sex bribery scandal.According to legal sources on July 30, the Constitutional Court dismissed Lee's appeal on July 28, stating that July 30, 2026

Amorepacific Group Reports 53% Increase in Q2 Operating Profit Amid Global Growth Amorepacific Group reported double-digit growth in both sales and operating profit for the second quarter of this year, driven by strong performance in key domestic and international markets. On July 30, Amorepacific Group announced that its consolidated sales for the second quarter reached 1.2543 trillion won, with operating profit at 122.8 billion won. These figures represent increases of 14.6% and 53.3%, respectively, compared to the same period last year. In the domestic market, key produ July 30, 2026

Shinsegae Centum City Expands Summer Attractions and Continues Scholarship Program Shinsegae Centum City is launching a series of pop-up stores this summer, featuring eyewear, smartphones, and fashion goods. The shopping center is also continuing its scholarship program for local youth, now in its 18th year, which began in 2009.The pop-up store for the eyewear brand 'MUUT' will be open on the fourth floor of the department store until August 12.Under the slogan 'Always Curious,' MUUT reinterprets eyewear as a fashion accessory rather than just a vision correction tool. Custome July 30, 2026