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South Korea Launches New Housing Support Program to Convert Monthly Rent to Jeonse The South Korean government is launching a new housing support initiative that will convert monthly rental properties into jeonse, a traditional Korean rental system. Tenants will be able to live in jeonse at a lower cost than monthly rent, while landlords will receive monthly returns on their jeonse deposits through a public institution.The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport announced on August 20 that it will implement the 'Monthly Rent Assurance Trust Project' as a follow-up to the August 13 rapid housing supply measures.The Monthly Rent Assurance Trust aims to convert existing monthly rental properties into jeonse for tenants. After a tripartite contract is signed between the stabilization organization, landlords, and tenants, tenants will deposit their jeonse funds with the organization, which will then invest and manage the funds to provide landlords with returns equivalent to monthly rent.The Korea Housing and Urban Guarantee Corporation (HUG) will be responsible for managing the deposit, investment, and return of jeonse funds, as well as recruiting landlords and tenants.Tenants will benefit from living in jeonse, which is generally less burdensome than monthly rent. The stabilization organization will manage the jeonse funds, reducing the risk of jeonse fraud. The Ministry explained that while the current conversion rate for monthly rent is between 5% and 6%, jeonse loan interest rates are between 3% and 4%, which can alleviate tenants' housing cost burdens.Since the stabilization organization will handle the deposit and future returns of the jeonse funds, tenants will not need to purchase separate jeonse return guarantees or jeonse loan guarantees, further reducing their financial burden.Landlords will also benefit, receiving monthly returns on their jeonse funds. The stabilization organization plans to create a housing supply activation fund based on the jeonse funds, which will be used for housing construction projects, generating annual interest income of around 4% to be paid to landlords.Registered landlords participating in the program will be exempt from the obligation to purchase return guarantees for rental deposits, thus reducing their guarantee costs. Tax incentives for landlord income are also being considered.Landlords relocating from regulated areas like Seoul to provincial regions will also be eligible for housing pensions. This means they can receive housing pension payments in addition to the monthly income from the Monthly Rent Assurance Trust.The government plans to promote the Monthly Rent Assurance Trust without restrictions on housing types, targeting both general landlords and tenants through a separate public offering. Initially, the program will focus on homes valued at 200 million won or less, verifying whether the jeonse amounts are excessive compared to market prices and checking for any violations of building regulations.There are two ways for landlords to participate in the program: they can either apply first and have the stabilization organization assist in recruiting tenants, or they can negotiate the jeonse amount with tenants beforehand and apply together.Some rental housing purchased by the Korea Land and Housing Corporation (LH) will also be pilot-supplied through the stabilization organization. The Ministry plans to provide 500 units this year to reduce the housing burden for young households without homes.Details regarding the project procedures, agreements, and monthly income rates will be announced at the end of September. Landlords and tenants interested in participating can apply through the HUG website and its nationwide branches. Applications will be accepted starting in October, with tripartite agreements and deposit payments scheduled to occur sequentially from November. Move-ins are expected to begin by the end of the year.This initiative is seen as an effort to alleviate the simultaneous issues of jeonse avoidance and rising monthly rent in the wake of recent jeonse fraud incidents. However, securing trust in the return stability of jeonse funds and the operational income rates will be crucial for attracting actual participation.Kim I-tak, the First Deputy Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, stated, “Through the Monthly Rent Stabilization Organization, tenants will be able to alleviate the risk of jeonse return, while landlords can ease the burden of rent arrears, allowing them to enter lease agreements with confidence.” He added, “As the Monthly Rent Assurance Trust project yields results and becomes more sophisticated, we will explore various contract methods to enhance the health of the rental market, benefiting tenants with the advantages of jeonse living and landlords with rental income.”* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-20 11:04:10 -
LG Electronics Partners with Government to Restore Marine Ecosystems LG Electronics is launching a marine ecosystem restoration project using functional materials that supply minerals essential for seaweed growth. This initiative aims to expand the application of these materials beyond environmental and social value, fostering a new B2B business strategy.On August 20, LG Electronics announced that it signed a memorandum of understanding for the 'Sea Forest Creation Project' with the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, Gyeongsangnam-do, and the Korea Fisheries Resources Agency at LG Smart Park in Changwon.Under the agreement, LG Electronics will apply its functional new material 'LG Marine Balance' to an area of approximately 1.5 square kilometers in Deokmyeong-ri, Goseong-gun, from 2026 to 2029. The government, local authorities, and public institutions will monitor seaweed growth and changes in the marine environment following the material's application.LG Marine Balance is designed to release mineral ions upon contact with water, supplying essential components for the growth of seaweed and halophytes at a controlled rate. LG Electronics has developed technology to adjust not only the mineral composition and content but also the release rate to suit environmental conditions. The material can be produced in various forms, including beads and chips.This project exemplifies LG Electronics' efforts to expand the environmental applications of its functional materials. The company has previously applied LG Marine Balance in the Nakdong River estuary wetlands in Busan and the Suncheon Bay tidal flats, demonstrating its effectiveness in coastal ecosystem restoration.Recently, LG Electronics has been broadening its functional materials business from home appliance components to environmental and industrial materials, seeking new B2B demand. To support this growth, the company is enhancing its research and development and production capabilities. Since 1996, it has secured over 420 patents related to functional materials.Production facilities have also been expanded both domestically and internationally. At LG Smart Park in Changwon, approximately 4,500 tons of functional materials are produced annually. Recently, a new production line capable of producing about 2,000 tons annually was added at the company's facility in Haiphong, Vietnam.LG Electronics is also broadening the application areas of its functional materials. It supplies 'LG Purotech,' which is added to plastics, paints, and rubber to suppress odors and pollution caused by microorganisms. Additionally, it has developed 'LG Mineral Wash,' a raw material for inorganic detergents.The company is pursuing a customized solution business that designs the components and properties of functional materials to meet customer demands. Through the Goseong Sea Forest project, LG Electronics aims to accelerate the transition of its materials business to B2B while expanding its environmental applications.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-20 11:04:00
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Home Stays in Seoul: Welcoming Pilgrims for the 2027 World Youth Day The first impression for overseas pilgrims arriving for the 2027 Seoul World Youth Day may not be a grand stage, but rather the welcoming entrance of a home, a shared meal, and a morning greeting in broken language. This is why the organizing committee has centered the accommodation for pilgrims around parish communities and the homes of believers. The aim is to create an experience of 'hospitality' that shares faith and daily life, rather than simply providing temporary lodging in place of hotel rooms.Preparation Manual Distributed to Over 230 ParishesIn April 2026, the organizing committee distributed a 'Parish Manual for the 2027 Seoul World Youth Day' to more than 230 parishes within the Seoul Archdiocese. The manual includes practical information such as the qualifications and training for host families, personnel assignments, parish accommodation preparations, and how to interact with pilgrims. Each parish is using this guide to recruit believer families and establish preparation organizations at the parish level.Home stays serve as a practical solution to the accommodation shortage for large international events. However, in the context of the Catholic World Youth Day, home stays represent more than just cost savings. Young people from abroad will experience the daily lives and faith of Korean families up close, while host families will encounter the diversity of the global church in their everyday lives. For participants, Korea will be remembered not as a tourist destination, but through the faces and names of those who welcomed them.Hospitality Requires More Than Good IntentionsWhile the spirit of welcome is important, detailed operational standards are crucial. Factors such as capacity, bedding, bathroom usage, meals and allergies, curfews, movement routes, luggage storage, language communication, and emergency contact systems must be checked in advance. Considering the heat and tropical nights of August, air conditioning, ventilation, and access to drinking water are also basic requirements. Even seemingly minor differences, such as pets, smoking, and dietary habits based on religion or culture, can lead to conflicts, necessitating prior information exchange.When youth participants are involved, the issues become even more stringent. There must be verification of host family identities, child and youth protection training, assignments based on gender and age, privacy protection, and procedures for immediate separation in case of problems. Accessible living environments and medical connections are necessary for pilgrims with disabilities or those requiring ongoing medication. This is why hospitality cannot be left solely to individual responsibility; it must be jointly managed by the parish and the organizing committee.Parishes as Small Operations Centers for AccommodationEven though each family will connect directly with pilgrims, the actual operations will be centered in the parishes. Parishes will confirm arrival and departure times, assign families to specific pilgrims, and guide them to major event venues. They will also play a role in resolving issues that arise between families and participants, such as communication breakdowns or schedule changes. Therefore, the authority of parish coordinators and the reporting system to the organizing committee must be clearly defined.Training for parish volunteers and host families must also be tailored. Volunteers should be trained in registration verification, movement guidance, multilingual communication, and emergency reporting, while families need to learn how to navigate cultural differences and household rules. Simulated training based on real situations, multilingual informational materials, and a 24-hour support contact point will enhance effectiveness.Considering Public Facilities if Home Stays Are InsufficientThe organizing committee is also exploring the use of public facilities in Seoul as accommodations in case home stays do not provide sufficient lodging. Utilizing gyms or educational and public facilities as temporary accommodations can accommodate large numbers, but many conditions must be met. These include fire and disaster standards, shower and restroom access, air conditioning, nighttime security, gender-segregated spaces, infectious disease response, luggage storage, and public transportation accessibility.There are also discussions about a decentralized accommodation plan using facilities in the metropolitan area, but specific locations should not be confirmed until candidates are officially designated. The farther the distance, the more difficult it becomes for participants regarding travel time, transportation costs, late-night returns, and emergency responses. Accommodation capacity should be calculated based on the number of people who can safely sleep, not just the floor area secured.Diocesan Meetings Held Nationwide Before Coming to SeoulThe experience of overseas pilgrims in Korea will begin before they arrive in Seoul. From July 29 to August 2, 2027, 15 dioceses excluding Seoul will hold diocesan meetings. Participants will stay in local communities, visit holy sites and parishes, and experience Korean culture and faith before moving on to the main event in Seoul. This provides local youth with the opportunity to meet young people from around the world in their hometowns and offers the community an experience of international exchange.In September 2026, an international preparatory meeting will feature a 'DID EXPO' introducing each diocesan meeting. Since each diocese has different programs, accommodation capacities, and transportation conditions, early coordination of pilgrim assignments and travel to Seoul is essential. The more robust the diocesan meetings are, the more the burden on the urban center of Seoul can be shared.The scope of hospitality need not be limited to believer families. By informing local residents, shops, schools, and welfare organizations about the event schedule and movement routes in advance, the entire community can create an environment to welcome pilgrims. Conversely, areas where noise, waste, parking, and early morning movements may inconvenience residents should have prior explanations and complaint response channels. It is not acceptable to demand sacrifices from citizens who do not participate in religious events while speaking of hospitality.Host families should also have the right to choose and the right to withdraw. If health or family circumstances change, or if issues arise that make it difficult to live with assigned participants, they should be able to request help from the parish without hesitation. Likewise, pilgrims should be able to move to another location immediately if their accommodation is unsafe or if they experience discrimination or discomfort. A system that protects the rights of both parties is a prerequisite for trust.The hospitality of the event will be proven in concrete daily life rather than slogans. Families that clear their rooms and set a place at the table for unfamiliar youth, parish volunteers who assist with early morning movements, and coordinators who explain cultural differences and mediate conflicts will become the face of the event. If letters and contact continue after the pilgrims leave, and if reunions occur, home stays can become the most human legacy left by the Seoul WYD, transcending mere accommodation solutions. 2026-08-20 11:04:00
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What to Ask Before Serving Foreign Pilgrims: 'What Can You Eat?' One of the primary concerns for families hosting foreign pilgrims is meal preparation. While they may want to serve popular Korean dishes like pork belly and kimchi, these may not be suitable for all pilgrims. Muslims do not eat pork, and many Hindus avoid beef. There may also be participants who are vegetarians or have allergies to dairy, nuts, or seafood. Additionally, some young people may not be accustomed to spicy food. Good hospitality begins with the question, "Are there any foods you cannot eat?" Before the pilgrims arrive, it is essential to confirm any religious dietary restrictions, allergies, vegetarian preferences, and spice tolerance. Even if pork belly is on the menu, it is advisable to prepare alternative ingredients such as chicken, tofu, or mushrooms, and to inform guests if kimchi or sauces contain fish or meat products. Instead of serving hamburgers or pizza at every meal, offering a variety of easily selectable foods like rice, soup, eggs, tofu, fish, and fruit can help ease the dining experience. Cultural experiences do not need to be elaborate. Suggesting long-distance tours to pilgrims after official events may lead to fatigue. It is more appropriate to check their availability and interest before taking short walks around local markets, parks, or historical sites. Teaching them how to use public transportation or shopping together to prepare simple Korean dishes can also provide valuable experiences. It is important to treat pilgrims not as guests who need to learn about Korean culture, but as family members with whom to share a few days. Decisions about what to eat and where to go should be made collaboratively, rather than dictated by the host. The depth of Korean hospitality is reflected not in the variety of food offered, but in how attentively the host respects the guests' cultures and lifestyles. 2026-08-20 11:04:00
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Kakao Bank to Launch Full Strike from August 31 Amid Ongoing Labor Dispute The Kakao Bank labor union plans to initiate a full strike from August 31 to September 4, demanding improvements in performance compensation. This will be the third strike following two previous full-day walkouts, indicating a prolonged labor dispute.According to the Kakao branch of the National Chemical Fiber Food Industry Labor Union, 100% of union members will participate in the upcoming strike.This marks the first time the Kakao Bank union has engaged in a prolonged series of strikes. The union previously conducted a full-day strike on July 31, becoming the first internet-only bank to do so, followed by another full strike on August 14. Since August 12, they have also been engaged in a compliance struggle, refusing to work overtime, night shifts, and on holidays.Given that this strike will last for five consecutive business days, it is expected to significantly impact Kakao Bank's operational continuity. The union has warned of potential delays in customer service and complaint handling, backlogs in loan processing and manual tasks, delays in service operations and changes, and a lack of personnel to respond to and recover from system failures.The union has stated that it is open to dialogue if the company presents a negotiation proposal acceptable to its members. However, if their demands are not met after the five-day strike, they plan to escalate their actions. They also intend to take legal action against any attempts by management to disrupt the strike.Park Seong-ui, head of the Kakao branch's struggle headquarters, remarked, "This strike marks a new phase of our struggle, initiated due to the company's continued failure to provide practical solutions. We will not cease our actions until our members' demands are met." 2026-08-20 11:00:00
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KAIST solves oxygen problem blocking 3D memory for AI chips SEOUL, August 20 (AJP) - In a bid to stabilize memory stacked directly on top of artificial intelligence chips, a joint research team led by the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology said Thursday it had developed an insulating film that steers oxygen atoms toward the parts of a vertical memory transistor that need them and away from the parts they damage, allowing the devices to achieve higher current flow and longer data retention. The device held its electrical characteristics after more than 10 million switching cycles, with the voltage at which the transistor switches on drifting by less than 50 millivolts. A test memory cell built around it held stored data for more than 648 seconds, close to 11 minutes, without being refreshed, and survived more than 1,200 write cycles. The biggest drain on an AI chip is not the arithmetic. It is the constant shuttling of data between the memory that stores it and the processor that computes on it. Stacking the two together is one of the few remaining ways to shorten that trip, and oxygen has been the specific thing breaking it. For decades the memory industry improved chips by making each component smaller, packing more storage into the same square of silicon while drawing less power. That approach is now close to its physical floor. The alternative is to build upward, stacking components in three dimensions rather than shrinking them sideways. It is what a city does when it runs out of room for single-story houses and starts putting up apartment towers. The vertical channel transistor is one way to do that. In a conventional transistor, current runs horizontally through a strip of material called the channel. Turning that channel on its end frees floor space, letting engineers pack far more devices into the same area. Making the channel out of an oxide semiconductor rather than silicon adds a second advantage. Oxide leaks very little current when switched off, which is what allows a memory cell to hold its contents without constant electrical topping up. The trouble is oxygen. Oxide channels are missing some of the oxygen atoms that belong in their crystal structure, a defect known as an oxygen vacancy. A few of them help current flow. Too many and the transistor stops behaving predictably. The obvious remedy is to feed oxygen back into the channel. But oxygen does not stay where it is put. It migrates to the metal electrodes and corrodes them, raising resistance and degrading the device that the repair was meant to improve. The Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) team attacked the problem through the interlayer dielectric, the insulating film that separates the wiring and components inside a chip. Engineers normally treat it as an electrical barrier and nothing more. By sandwiching silicon dioxide between two layers of silicon nitride, the researchers turned the film into what they call an oxygen tunnel. It is a one-way passage that lets oxygen reach the channel where it is needed and blocks the path toward the electrodes where it does damage. KAIST said the resulting transistors achieved the highest current flow and data retention reported for oxide vertical channel devices. The team then combined the oxide transistors with conventional silicon CMOS circuitry, the basic technology inside almost every processor and phone chip made today, and modeled how the hybrid would perform as embedded memory. Simulations projected roughly 45 times longer data retention than a comparable CMOS design and a 38 percent smaller memory cell. The payoff the researchers are aiming at is compute-in-memory, an approach that performs calculations inside or beside the memory that holds the data instead of hauling that data across the chip to a separate processor. The current arrangement is the equivalent of carrying every ingredient from the pantry to a kitchen in another building and back again. As AI models grow, the carrying costs more energy than the cooking. Kwon Ji-min, a professor in KAIST's School of Electrical Engineering, led the work. "Building a tall building is not just about adding floors, it is about making the structure stable, and the same is true of three-dimensional semiconductors," Kwon said. "This technology should speed up development of next-generation memory that raises AI processing speed while cutting power consumption." Gu Hyeon-ho was the first author. Lee Yong-woo and Jung Hak-soon were co-corresponding authors with Kwon. Researchers from the Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology, Yonsei University, the Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology, Seoul National University of Science and Technology and Seoul National University also took part. Several claims remain untested outside the laboratory. The results were demonstrated on individual transistors and a small test memory cell, not on a production wafer. The 45-fold retention gain and the 38 percent area saving are simulation outputs rather than measurements from fabricated hardware. No full compute-in-memory array using the design has been built, and KAIST did not name a manufacturing partner. The paper ran in the materials science journal Advanced Functional Materials on May 20 and was selected as a front cover article. KAIST announced the results Thursday, three months after publication. AJP Takeaways ● A KAIST-led team built a three-layer insulating film that steers oxygen inside a stacked memory transistor, removing the defect problem that has blocked 3D memory for AI chips. ● The device held steady after more than 10 million switching cycles, with switch-on voltage drifting under 50 millivolts. A test memory cell retained data for more than 648 seconds without a refresh. ● Simulations pairing the oxide transistors with silicon CMOS projected 45 times longer data retention and a 38 percent smaller memory cell than a comparable conventional design. ● Those projections have not been verified in fabricated hardware, and no full compute-in-memory array has been built. 2026-08-20 10:59:39 -
Hana Asset Trust to Integrate and Rebuild Bupyeong Hyundai Complex, Creating 5,600 Housing Units Hana Financial Group is set to relocate its headquarters to Incheon Cheongna International City in September, and its affiliate, Hana Asset Trust, is moving forward with plans to improve housing conditions for Incheon residents.On August 20, Hana Asset Trust announced it has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Bupyeong Hyundai 2nd Complex Reconstruction Preparation Committee to initiate the designation of a project implementer.After receiving the designation for the Bupyeong Hyundai 1st Complex in April, Hana Asset Trust plans to integrate both complexes into a mega-town residential area comprising 5,600 units as soon as the designation for the 2nd Complex is finalized. This redevelopment will add approximately 1,900 additional housing units upon completion.The integrated redevelopment approach involves a single project implementer managing the design and construction of adjacent redevelopment sites simultaneously. This method allows for a more streamlined redevelopment process by coordinating the design and project timelines of neighboring sites.Hana Asset Trust views the redevelopment of the Bupyeong Hyundai 1st and 2nd Complexes as a way to enhance the residential competitiveness of Incheon’s old downtown and revitalize the local community. Industry experts anticipate that the relocation of Hana Financial Group's headquarters to Cheongna and the expansion of Hana Asset Trust's redevelopment projects in Incheon will create synergies through improved financial infrastructure and housing development.A representative from Hana Asset Trust stated, "Starting with the Bupyeong Hyundai 1st and 2nd Complexes, we will continuously expand our redevelopment projects in Incheon to strengthen the foundation for mutual growth and cooperation between Hana Financial Group and the Incheon region."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-20 10:52:00
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FSS to renew rules requiring collateral for OTC derivatives SEOUL, August 20 (AJP) - The Financial Supervisory Service (FSS) will extend rules requiring financial firms to set aside collateral for certain derivatives traded directly between financial institutions for another year, the financial watchdog said on Thursday. The rules are designed to limit potential losses and prevent problems at one financial institution from spreading to others. They were due to expire later this month but will be renewed and remain in effect from Sept. 1, affecting about 143 financial institutions. They cover over-the-counter (OTC) derivatives traded directly between two parties without going through a central counterparty or CCP. The collateral helps protect either side from losses if the other party cannot make its required payments. There are two types of collateral. Initial margin is provided upfront to cover potential losses if the other party defaults, while variation margin is adjusted as the market value of the contract changes over time. The watchdog introduced the rules in March 2017 to better manage risks arising from OTC derivatives. Not every such transaction is covered. Certain foreign-exchange deals involving the actual delivery of currencies are excluded, along with cross-currency swaps and commodity contracts settled through physical delivery. The rules apply to financial firms whose uncleared derivatives holdings exceed set levels, based on their average at the end of March, April and May. Those that cross the threshold must follow the requirements for one year from Sept. 1. For financial institutions, uncleared derivatives held across all their affiliates are combined to determine whether the rules apply. Nonfinancial companies, public institutions and other international organizations are excluded from the rules. Investment funds, bank and other institutional trust accounts, and credit card companies are also exempt. Seven firms will be newly subject to the rules including Bank of China, Yuanta Securities, Hyundai Investments Asset Management, Tongyang Life Insurance and Hyundai Marine & Fire Insurance. Two companies that had previously been subject to the rules including Carrot General Insurance will be removed from the list. Separately, 165 institutions will be subject to variation margin requirements including 130 affiliated with financial groups. Unlike initial margin, which covers potential future losses from a default, this collateral is adjusted regularly to reflect changes in the market value of outstanding contracts. Four firms including China Everbright Bank, ABL Life Insurance and SBI Savings Bank will be newly added. The FSS said it will monitor how the rules are implemented, particularly at newly-added firms amid the risk of greater global market volatility. It will also seek feedback from the industry and help financial institutions address difficulties in complying with them. AJP Takeaways • The Financial Supervisory Service (FSS) will extend South Korea's collateral requirements for certain over-the-counter (OTC) derivatives for one year from Sept. 1, 2026, to reduce risks from transactions that are not centrally cleared. • 143 financial institutions will be subject to initial margin requirements, including 118 belonging to financial groups, while 165 institutions will face variation margin requirements, including 130 affiliated with such groups. • Initial margin is collateral provided upfront to protect against potential losses if a counterparty defaults, while variation margin is adjusted as the market value of a derivatives contract changes. 2026-08-20 10:40:43 -
Eighteen-Year-Old Han Soo-ja's Call for Independence Resounds in Yanggu After 106 Years The life and spirit of independence activist Han Soo-ja, who shouted for independence at the age of eighteen at Baehwa Women's School in Seoul during the Japanese occupation, will be highlighted in her hometown.The Yanggu Modern History Museum will hold a special exhibition titled 'Eighteen-Year-Old Han Soo-ja, Calling for Independence Again' from August 25 to October 31.According to Yanggu County on August 20, the exhibition aims to inform the local community about the life of Han Soo-ja and the historical significance of the independence movement at Baehwa Women's School in 1920.On March 1, 1920, while attending Baehwa Women's School, Han participated in a demonstration commemorating the first anniversary of the March 1 Movement alongside her fellow students.The students shouted for independence from the schoolyard and the hills behind the dormitory. This protest by Baehwa students demonstrated that the March 1 Movement of 1919 was not a one-time event but continued into the following year, inspiring student activism.As a result of her participation, Han was arrested by the Japanese police and put on trial along with 23 fellow students. Records from the National Archives indicate that Han was 18 years old at the time, with her hometown listed as Yanggu County, Gangwon Province. On April 5, 1920, the Gyeongseong District Court sentenced her to six months in prison, suspended for two years, for violating the so-called Security Law.The fact that an eighteen-year-old girl from Yanggu was punished by the Japanese judicial system for calling for independence in Seoul is documented in the court records. The government recognized Han's contributions to the independence movement and posthumously honored her as a national hero in 2021.This exhibition will chronologically showcase her birth, upbringing, time at Baehwa Women's School, participation in the independence movement, and her life thereafter. A documentary video capturing Han's life will also be presented.The exhibition will feature sections titled 'A Name Remembered Again in Yanggu, Han Soo-ja,' 'The Child Born in Yanggu, Han Soo-ja,' 'Promises Made at Baehwa,' 'The Shouts of Girls Echoing on March 1, 1920, at Pilwondae Hill,' 'Spring in Seodaemun Prison,' and 'Unyielding Green: The Eternal Footprints of Resistance.'The opening ceremony will take place on August 25 at 2 p.m. in the lobby of the Yanggu Modern History Museum, with attendance expected from Yanggu County Mayor Kim Wang-kyu, county council members, and local community leaders.Yanggu County plans to use this exhibition to raise awareness of the contributions of local independence activists and to allow residents and visitors to engage closely with the history of the independence movement.Park Hyun-jeong, head of the Yanggu County Tourism and Culture Department, stated, 'This is a meaningful opportunity to share the life and ideals of Han Soo-ja, who called for the country's independence at such a young age. We hope many residents and visitors will take this time to reflect on Han Soo-ja's courage and love for her country.'* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-20 10:36:00
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NeoImmuneTech Hits Upper Limit After First Technology Export Deal Worth $370 Million NeoImmuneTech, a company focused on immunotherapy research and development, has reached its upper limit on the KOSDAQ following news of its first technology export contract since going public. According to the Korea Exchange, as of 9:58 a.m., NeoImmuneTech's shares rose by 505 won (29.88%) to 2,195 won compared to the previous trading day. The surge in investor sentiment is attributed to the announcement that NeoImmuneTech signed a technology transfer agreement with U.S. biotech firm Tolerance Bio, valued at up to $260 million (approximately 366.9 billion won). This marks the company's first technology export since its listing on the KOSDAQ in 2021. The technology transfer involves NeoImmuneTech's immunotherapy candidate, NT-I7, which is aimed at treating diseases related to thymic dysfunction, including immune reconstitution in HIV-infected individuals. The agreement grants exclusive development and commercialization rights in North America and Europe. Instead of cash, the contract includes a 4% equity stake in Tolerance Bio on a fully diluted basis. NeoImmuneTech will also receive milestone payments of up to $260 million based on clinical development and sales performance. If the product is successfully commercialized, the company will receive additional royalties linked to annual net sales. Through this agreement, NeoImmuneTech plans to delegate the development of thymic dysfunction-related indications to Tolerance Bio, allowing it to focus its resources on its core business in immuno-oncology. Tolerance Bio is a U.S. biotech company developing treatments for immune diseases based on the preservation, restoration, and regulation of thymic function.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-20 10:36:00