Journalist
Michael Head
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Pharmaresearch Launches 'Rejuran Scalp Line' for Scalp Care Pharmaresearch announced on June 8 that it has launched two products in its 'Rejuran Synergy Booster Hair Line' aimed at scalp health management. The new products include the 'Rejuran Synergy Hair Booster' for medical clinics and the 'Rejuran Scalp Ampoule' for home care. The line is designed to create a healthy scalp environment with the hair booster during clinical treatments, while the scalp ampoule provides a home care routine. The Rejuran Synergy Hair Booster is a clinic-use scalp booster that focuses on moisturizing and soothing the scalp. It contains 1.2% c-PDRN, along with oligopeptide-29, copper tripeptide-1, and various amino acids. The Rejuran Scalp Ampoule is a daily scalp care product that includes n-PDRN, niacinamide, and biotin. It emphasizes a cooling sensation and ease of use through the inclusion of menthol and salicylic acid. Pharmaresearch continues to grow by combining its clinic-based repeat treatment structure with its cosmetics business. In the first quarter of this year, the company reported consolidated revenue of 146.1 billion won and an operating profit of 57.3 billion won, marking increases of 25% and 28%, respectively, compared to the same period last year. Analysts attribute this growth to rising domestic demand for medical devices, expansion in the cosmetics sector, and increased global exports. A Pharmaresearch representative stated, "The two new Rejuran Scalp Line products focus on creating a healthy scalp environment, which is the starting point for healthy hair. By organically connecting clinic management with home care, we enable a more systematic approach to scalp care."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-08 14:30:00 -
SK Telecom Shares Rise on Nvidia AI Partnership News As the domestic stock market experiences a downturn due to the "Broadcom Shock" from the U.S., SK Telecom is seeing a rise in its shares following news of its collaboration with Nvidia on artificial intelligence (AI). According to the Korea Exchange, SK Telecom's stock was trading at 110,200 won, up 3,800 won (3.57%) as of 2:12 p.m. on June 8. The stock opened at 106,400 won but surged to as high as 117,000 won during the trading session, reflecting a significant increase. Despite a general decline in investor sentiment across the domestic market due to the recent drop in U.S. semiconductor stocks, SK Telecom is showing a differentiated performance. This positive trend is attributed to the announcement that SK Telecom will partner with Nvidia to build AI-specific data centers and expand its AI cloud business, which has boosted investor confidence. On this day, SK Telecom announced that Chairman Chey Tae-won and Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang have agreed to jointly pursue the AI cloud business. The two companies plan to establish AI-specific data centers based on Nvidia's AI infrastructure platform, DSX. CEO Huang stated, "SK Telecom will be able to build a large-scale AI cloud through the Nvidia DSX platform, providing agent AI, enterprise AI, and physical AI to companies and industries leading in Korea and around the world."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-08 14:24:00 -
Nvidia Ranked First in WSJ's 'Best Companies for the Future' List Nvidia has been ranked first in the Wall Street Journal's inaugural list of 'Best Companies for the Future.' The list highlights companies excelling in artificial intelligence (AI) semiconductors and includes several big tech firms in the top spots. On June 7, the WSJ reported that Nvidia topped the '2026 Best Companies for the Future' ranking, which evaluated S&P 500 companies. Alphabet, Microsoft, Meta Platforms, and Cisco Systems secured the second to fifth positions, respectively. The ranking was compiled by Venderblabs at the request of the WSJ Leadership Institute. It assessed companies across six categories: AI readiness, innovation, talent competitiveness, financial health, supply chain stability, and organizational agility. AI readiness measures how well a company is prepared for an AI-driven environment, while organizational agility evaluates how quickly a company can respond to changes. The analysis utilized 30 metrics from 20 data providers. The top ranks were dominated by technology companies, with one-third of the top 100 being tech manufacturing and service firms. Among the top 25, 18 were classified as technology companies or identified as such in the market. Among non-tech firms, Mastercard ranked seventh, S&P Global was 13th, and Visa came in 15th. Johnson & Johnson placed 20th, while Eli Lilly was 22nd. AI readiness was a key evaluation criterion. Venderblabs analyzed how AI is integrated into business operations and the extent of employees' AI-related skills and experience. The presence of AI-related terms in board explanations and executive biographies was also considered in the assessment. Companies that had high AI utilization prior to the rise of generative AI scored relatively well in this ranking. Among semiconductor companies, AMD ranked 16th overall, making it the second-highest ranked semiconductor firm after Nvidia. AMD received high scores for organizational agility, innovation, and AI readiness. Broadcom ranked 110th, performing well in innovation and financial health but scoring lower in AI readiness, talent competitiveness, and supply chain stability. Apple placed 12th overall, but its AI evaluation ranked it 56th. This was the lowest position among the 'Magnificent Seven' big tech firms in the U.S. Apple received low scores in AI adoption, investment, mergers and acquisitions, and strategic indicators. Venderblabs noted that Apple's cautious approach to public disclosures may have influenced its evaluation based on public filings. The WSJ clarified that this ranking is not a predictor of future stock prices. Rick Wurtsman, co-founder of Venderblabs, described the ranking as a "diagnostic tool, not a predictive tool."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-08 14:24:00 -
Daewon Pharmaceutical Shares Surge on Obesity Treatment Drug Hopes In a market where most KOSPI stocks are experiencing sharp declines, Daewon Pharmaceutical is seeing a significant rise. This surge is attributed to optimism surrounding the development of a next-generation obesity treatment. As of 2:10 PM on June 8, Daewon Pharmaceutical shares were trading at 13,450 won, up 2,210 won (19.66%) from the previous trading day. The stock had already reached its daily limit on June 5 and is now approaching a 20% increase. The strong performance is believed to be driven by heightened investor interest ahead of the announcement of research results for the company's obesity treatment candidate. Daewon Pharmaceutical previously announced that it would present preclinical research results for its quadruple-action obesity treatment candidate at the American Diabetes Association (ADA 2026) conference in New Orleans on June 4. The company plans to showcase its proprietary multi-action design technology and differentiated receptor activity indicators, along with detailed data on weight loss, changes in food intake, and blood sugar improvement confirmed through animal experiments. This candidate combines GLP-1, GIP, and glucagon receptors with a gastrin mechanism. Gastrin is a hormone that regulates gastric acid secretion and digestive functions, and is known to play a role in protecting pancreatic beta cells and maintaining gastrointestinal function. Industry experts are closely watching whether this candidate can maintain the weight loss effects of existing GLP-1 class obesity treatments while alleviating concerns about potential long-term organ function decline associated with prolonged use.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-08 14:24:00 -
Coupang Launches Rocket Food Festival with Discounts on Over 4,000 Food Items Coupang announced on June 8 that it will hold a large-scale food discount event, the "Rocket Food Festival," for Wow members until June 14.The event will feature discounts on over 4,000 food items, including fresh and processed foods. To ease the burden of rising prices, Coupang is offering exclusive coupons for Wow members and special time-limited deals.During the event, a limited-time super discount zone will be available. Each day at 7 a.m., the "Daily Special" will showcase nine popular food items at the lowest prices. At 10 a.m., customers can participate in "Taste vs. Taste Chance," comparing prices on fresh and processed foods. Additionally, the "99 Special" will occur three times daily, featuring popular items priced at 9,900 won at 2 p.m., 6 p.m., and 10 p.m.Wow members will also receive a limited-time coupon pack. Discounts will be applied based on purchase amounts: 2,000 won off for purchases over 50,000 won, 5,000 won off for purchases over 70,000 won, and 20,000 won off for purchases over 150,000 won.Discount coupons from major food brands are also available. Until June 11, participating brands include Chung Jung One, Jongga, Harim, Pulmuone, Maeil Dairy, Orion, and Nongshim Kellogg. From June 12 to 14, additional benefits will be offered by CJ CheilJedang, Lotte Wellfood, Namyang Dairy, Ottogi, and T-Gen, focusing on weekend snacks and convenience meals.The festival will also feature themed sections targeting summer demand. These include "Early Summer Vitality Nourishment," offering discounts on whole chickens, abalone, eel, and samgyetang home meal replacements, as well as "Camping Food," which will feature meal kits and meats for camping and outings, and "Cool Summer Foods," focusing on watermelon, ice cream, large beverages, and cold noodles.A Coupang representative stated, "This event was organized to help Wow members prepare necessary food items at reasonable prices amid the current high inflation situation."Meanwhile, Coupang is also running a Pet Fair during the same period, featuring discounts on pet supplies from 89 brands, including Ding Dong Pet, Harim Pet Food, ANF, and Natural Core. 2026-06-08 14:21:00 -
Democratic Party Calls for National Investigation into Voting Paper Shortage The Democratic Party submitted a request for a national investigation on June 8 into the voting paper shortage that occurred at some polling stations during the June 3 local elections. They specifically rejected claims from the ruling People Power Party that the presidential office should also be included in the investigation, urging against politicizing the issue. Cheon Jun-ho, the party's floor leader, along with policy chief Kim Han-kyu and spokesperson Lee Joo-hee, visited the National Assembly's legislative office to file the request. Speaking to reporters, Cheon stated, "Voting papers are official documents through which the people, as sovereigns, delegate power, and they are the most fundamental means of democracy. This incident undermines the procedures and trust of democracy and is a serious matter that cannot be dismissed as a mere administrative error." He added, "The National Election Commission failed to respond in a timely manner despite being aware of the situation in advance, leading to significant confusion. In some polling stations, delays in transporting ballot boxes occurred, damaging public trust in the election results. Therefore, we submitted the request to examine the overall issues within the election management system and to formulate reform measures." The Democratic Party also indicated that they would continue discussions with the People Power Party to develop detailed plans for the investigation. Cheon emphasized, "We will work with the opposition to prepare a detailed plan. Since the process requires reporting to the plenary session followed by a vote, it is essential for both parties to swiftly collaborate on the plan." Additionally, the Democratic Party dismissed the People Power Party's assertion that the presidential office should be included in the investigation, stating, "Do not politicize this matter." Cheon remarked, "Mentioning the presidential office in relation to the national investigation is an attempt to politicize the issue. It is appropriate for the presidential office to maintain a certain distance from the independent National Election Commission."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-08 14:21:00 -
SK Networks Hits Upper Limit on AI Collaboration Hopes with Nvidia SK Networks has reached its upper limit on the stock market amid rising expectations for expanded artificial intelligence (AI) collaboration between SK Group and Nvidia. According to the Korea Exchange, as of 2:09 PM, SK Networks was trading at 14,170 won, up 3,270 won (30.00%) from the previous trading day. This surge in stock price is attributed to the official announcement of expanded AI collaboration between SK Group and Nvidia. SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won and Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang met in Seoul's Jongno district to discuss cooperation in the AI sector. The two companies agreed to enhance collaboration in AI infrastructure, semiconductors, and cloud services. SK Hynix will work with Nvidia on the joint development of next-generation memory for AI factories, while SK Telecom will pursue collaboration on AI cloud services based on Nvidia's platform. They are also considering expanding the AI factory to a gigawatt scale, with plans for its first operation in Korea by 2027. Market analysts believe this collaboration could lead to a reassessment of the overall AI business value of SK Group, resulting in increased buying interest in its affiliate, SK Networks. Recently, SK Networks has accelerated its transition to an AI-focused holding company, nurturing AI and robotics as core growth drivers and operating the wellness robotics brand 'Namux.' The company is also strengthening its investments in the AI value chain by increasing its stake in the AI solutions firm Upstage. Meanwhile, the KOSPI market is experiencing weakness due to a sharp decline in U.S. semiconductor stocks. Major large-cap stocks, including Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix, are trending downward, but SK Networks continues to show strong stock performance driven by optimism surrounding its AI business growth.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-08 14:21:00 -
Xi Jinping Visits North Korea for First Time in Seven Years Xi Jinping, the President of China, arrived in Pyongyang on June 8 for a two-day state visit, marking the first visit by a Chinese leader to North Korea in seven years. State-run China Central Television (CCTV) reported that Xi arrived around noon local time. During his visit, he is expected to hold talks with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un to discuss strengthening North Korea-China relations, economic cooperation, and the situation on the Korean Peninsula. This marks the first face-to-face meeting between the two leaders since Kim's visit to Beijing in September 2025 for China's Victory Day celebrations. According to CCTV, Kim and his wife Ri Sol-ju personally welcomed Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan at Pyongyang's Sunan Airport. Footage showed the couples applauding as they greeted each other. Video released by China's Xinhua News Agency showed Xi's Air China plane landing at Sunan Airport, where a red carpet was laid out and North Korean and Chinese flags were displayed side by side. Welcome banners in both Korean and Chinese read, "Warmly welcome Comrade Xi Jinping, General Secretary of the Communist Party of China and President of the People's Republic of China," and "Long live the unbreakable friendship and unity between the peoples of China and North Korea." The footage also featured North Korean security personnel on motorcycles and a military honor guard. After arriving at the airport, Xi is expected to travel with Kim to Kim Il Sung Square for an official welcome ceremony. The two leaders are anticipated to discuss the development of North Korea-China relations, ways to expand economic cooperation, and the regional situation surrounding the Korean Peninsula. Xi's delegation includes Cai Qi, the head of the Central Secretariat of the Communist Party, and Wang Yi, the head of the Central Foreign Affairs Commission and Foreign Minister.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-08 14:06:00 -
Korean Developer Association Launches KREDII, First Research Institute in Real Estate Sector The Korean Developer Association announced on June 8 that it is launching the Korean Real Estate Development Industry Institute (KREDII), the first specialized research institute in the real estate development sector, by expanding its existing policy research office. Kim Seung-bae will serve as the director of KREDII. To commemorate its launch, KREDII will hold a founding symposium on June 25 at 2 p.m. at the Oakwood Premier Coex Center, IT Square, located on the second floor. The event is supported by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, the Korean Developer Association, the Korea Construction Association, the Korea Housing Association, the Korea REITs Association, and the Korea Institute of Construction Technology. It aims to present future visions and policy directions for the real estate development, construction, and finance industries in light of the current era of transformation. The symposium will feature three key presentations covering the real estate, construction, and finance sectors. The topics include: 1) "The Future of Developers and the Role of the Institute in the Era of Transformation" (Lee Jin, Researcher at KREDII), 2) "Beyond Real Estate: Innovation in the Construction Industry" (Heo Yoon-kyung, Researcher at the Korea Institute of Construction Technology), and 3) "Strengthening the Role of Real Estate Finance as Productive Finance" (Shin Dong-soo, Director of the Korea REITs Association). These discussions will delve into the roles and strategies of the relevant industries. The Korean Developer Association, which established KREDII, is engaged in various initiatives to promote the healthy development of the domestic real estate development industry and advocate for the interests of its members. The association conducts research and studies aimed at advancing the real estate development industry, including proposals for improvements, financial system linkage strategies, and plans for overseas expansion. It is also responsible for collecting, developing, and disseminating statistics and information related to real estate development, as well as supporting the establishment of information systems and publishing related books and materials. Additionally, the association focuses on talent development and education, providing training and management for professionals and workers in real estate development, while operating advanced programs such as the Creative City Real Estate Convergence Executive Program (ARP) and the Next Generation Developer Program (ARPY). Moreover, it undertakes mutual aid projects for the welfare and rights protection of its members, promotes voluntary review of advertising and labeling, enhances cooperation with foreign organizations and international bodies, and manages entrusted tasks from the government and local authorities.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-08 14:03:00 -
Saemaul Geumgo Central Association Overhauls Inspection System for Enhanced Risk Management Saemaul Geumgo Central Association is accelerating the digital transformation of its inspection and supervision system. The organization plans to enhance its risk management capabilities and upgrade its ongoing supervision framework through the development of a next-generation inspection system that strengthens big data-based risk assessment and anomaly detection functions. On June 8, the Saemaul Geumgo Central Association announced that it held a mid-report meeting on the 'Reconstruction of the Inspection System' at its headquarters in Gangnam, Seoul, at the end of last month. The meeting was attended by over 100 participants, including Hong Seong-ki, Chairman of the Saemaul Geumgo Central Association, as well as officials responsible for inspection and supervision and those in charge of anomaly detection. Attendees shared insights on the direction of the inspection system reconstruction, key improvements, big data-based risk assessment models, and strategies for enhancing anomaly detection functions, and discussed future development directions. The reconstruction project aims to completely overhaul the existing system introduced in 2020. It was initiated in response to the growing demand for enhanced ongoing supervision and feedback from the field, and work began in collaboration with LG CNS in November of last year. The total project cost is approximately 10 billion won, with a target completion date set for February 2027. Hong Seong-ki stated, "The reconstruction of the inspection system is a key initiative that goes beyond mere IT infrastructure improvement, elevating the risk management framework of Saemaul Geumgo to a new level. We aim to establish a data-driven inspection and supervision system that will enhance trust among our members and the local community, allowing us to evolve into a more reliable mutual finance institution." 2026-06-08 14:03:00

