AJU PRESS ASIA FIRST NEWS AGENCY

Journalist

&
""
Latest by
  • Mokpo University and Suncheon University Merger for New National Medical School Fails
    Mokpo University and Suncheon University Merger for New National Medical School Fails The hopes of local residents for a new national medical school in Jeonnam, based on the merger of Mokpo University and Suncheon University, have effectively collapsed. The deadline for submitting a proposal to the Ministry of Education was set for the 20th, but the two universities failed to create a unified plan. Notably, both institutions are now insisting on establishing their own medical schools separately. The Jeonnam Gwangju Special City has announced it will discuss follow-up measures with the government. This development marks a new phase in the ongoing issue of establishing a medical school in Jeonnam. According to the Jeonnam Gwangju Integrated Special City and the two universities, the Ministry of Education requested a plan for the establishment of a regional medical school by the 20th, contingent upon the merger of the two universities. Mokpo University and Suncheon University needed to apply as a single entity for their proposal to be considered. However, the universities repeatedly asserted their own positions regarding the medical school and university hospital, ultimately failing to reach an agreement. Recently, Mokpo University submitted relevant documents to the Gwangju Special City, including the necessity for a new medical school, proposed enrollment numbers, and local government support plans as requested. Suncheon University submitted its documents in accordance with the Ministry of Education's format, detailing the location of the medical school and university hospital. The special city returned the submissions, stating they were not based on a consensus between the two universities. Without an agreement, it appears unlikely that either university can pursue its own path effectively. Min Hyung-bae, the mayor of Gwangju Special City, stated on the 19th, "The universities in the former Jeonnam region were expected to merge and operate as one. However, the merger is not happening. If the merger does not occur, they will not be able to apply." Despite the failure to merge, he expressed a commitment to continue pursuing the establishment of a national medical school in Jeonnam. 2026-08-20 09:04:00
  • Samsung C&Ts Raemian Landscaping Wins IDEA Design Award for Third Consecutive Year
    Samsung C&T's Raemian Landscaping Wins IDEA Design Award for Third Consecutive Year Samsung C&T's construction division has won the prestigious IDEA Design Award, one of the world's top three design competitions, for its Raemian landscaping projects for the third consecutive year.On August 20, Samsung C&T announced that its Raemian landscaping received two main awards in the environmental category at the 'IDEA 2026.' The award-winning projects are the 'Wind Library Garden' at Raemian One Perla in Seocho-gu, Seoul, and the 'Blue Forest Garden' at Jamsil Raemian I-Park in Songpa-gu. Both projects received main awards, reaffirming the competitive edge of Raemian's landscaping design.The IDEA Design Award is co-hosted by the Industrial Designers Society of America and BusinessWeek, making it the most prestigious design competition in North America. It is considered one of the top three design awards globally, alongside Germany's Red Dot Design Award and the iF Design Award.The award-winning Wind Library Garden is an outdoor library garden that incorporates the traditional Korean landscaping concept of 'Chagyeong.' Developed in conjunction with a small library, it draws in the surrounding nature and landscape, allowing residents to enjoy a leisurely life with books.The Blue Forest Garden features a streamlined tea house and a viewing deck, designed to offer different panoramic views from four locations, enabling residents to experience changing landscapes based on their movement and position.In 2024, Samsung C&T received a main award for the 'Public Walkway' project at Raemian One Bailey. Last year, it won a bronze award for the 'Green Cascade' landscaping facility at the same location. With two landscaping projects receiving main awards this year, Samsung C&T has maintained its record of winning at the IDEA Awards for three consecutive years.Notably, the landscaping projects have been recognized internationally for their design uniqueness and quality competitiveness, achieving consecutive awards for two years.As competition among apartment products expands beyond layouts and community features to landscaping and outdoor space experiences, landscaping design has emerged as a differentiating factor for high-end residential brands. Samsung C&T plans to actively leverage its internationally recognized Raemian landscaping design competitiveness in new contract proposals and marketing efforts.Jang Byeong-yun, Vice President of Samsung C&T's Housing Construction Division, stated, “We will continue to present differentiated landscaping designs that enhance the spatial value of the complex while providing residents with a unique living experience exclusive to Raemian.”* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-20 09:00:00
  • NH Investment & Securities Raises Target Price for Hanol Biopharma Amid U.S. Drug Valuation
    NH Investment & Securities Raises Target Price for Hanol Biopharma Amid U.S. Drug Valuation NH Investment & Securities raised its target price for Hanol Biopharma from 76,000 won to 98,000 won on August 20, reflecting the increased corporate value of its partner Immunovant (IMVT) and the commercialization potential of IMVT-1402. The investment recommendation remains a 'buy.'Han Seung-yeon, a researcher at NH Investment & Securities, stated, "Hanol Biopharma is essentially the only domestic licensed-out new drug receiving a clear valuation in the 10 trillion won range in the local market," adding, "This visit confirmed the high commercialization confidence of Roivant's CEO."He explained that Hanol Biopharma's corporate value was assessed using an appropriate market capitalization ratio compared to its partner IMVT, noting that the recent rise in IMVT's stock price reflects expectations for data on IMVT-1402 in the second half of the year.Roivant's confidence in commercialization was also viewed positively. The researcher mentioned, "Data related to IMVT-1402 for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CLE) is expected to be released in the second half of the year, with key RA data likely to be announced in the fourth quarter."He added, "CLE data is also anticipated in the fourth quarter, and since a proof of concept is being conducted on 60 patients, there is potential for additional corporate value increase if successful."Furthermore, he noted that the ongoing return of batoclimab is being conducted at Hanol Biopharma's request and will not impact either company's fundamentals or valuations. He emphasized the need to pay attention to the potential introduction of IMVT's 1402 technology rights in Japan.While acknowledging the development of various competing early-stage anti-FcRn candidates, he stated, "Given the pace of development, there is no need for concern," and continued to recommend Hanol Biopharma as a top biotech stock.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-20 09:00:00
  • Daehan Electric Wire Localizes HVDC Undersea Cable ROV, Expanding Competitiveness in Undersea Construction
    Daehan Electric Wire Localizes HVDC Undersea Cable ROV, Expanding Competitiveness in Undersea Construction Daehan Electric Wire is embarking on the localization of underwater robots necessary for the construction of high-voltage direct current (HVDC) undersea cables. This initiative aims to internalize not only cable manufacturing capabilities but also installation equipment and construction technology, in response to large-scale power grid projects such as the West Coast Energy Highway.On August 19, Daehan Electric Wire announced that it has signed a memorandum of understanding with marine robotics company Fanstar Robotics to localize the ROV (remotely operated vehicle) for offshore wind and HVDC undersea cable projects. The two companies will jointly develop high-performance installation ROVs and operational systems for HVDC undersea cables and offshore wind projects.An ROV is a remotely operated underwater robot used for tasks such as burying or protecting undersea cables. Currently, most installation equipment used in large HVDC undersea cable projects is imported, often relying on foreign specialists during operations.The characteristics of domestic waters also heighten the need for localized equipment. The southwestern sea area has strong currents, high turbidity, and shallow depths. Daehan Electric Wire and Fanstar Robotics plan to develop high-performance installation ROVs suited to domestic conditions to enhance construction stability and efficiency.Daehan Electric Wire is also expanding its manufacturing capacity by constructing a second undersea plant capable of producing 640kV HVDC undersea cables, indicating that the localization of ROVs could broaden its business scope from production to construction.The two companies will develop ROVs applicable to offshore wind internal and external networks, long-distance system interconnections, and HVDC undersea cables. They are also pursuing plans to validate undersea cable installation and protection technologies before applying them to actual construction sites. Participation in national research and development projects and exploring overseas markets are also under consideration.Through this initiative, Daehan Electric Wire aims to strengthen its turnkey capabilities across the entire value chain of undersea cables, from design and production to transportation, installation, and burial. If large-scale undersea cable projects expand in the country, it is expected to reduce reliance on foreign equipment and specialists.Additionally, the company is expanding its undersea cable production and construction infrastructure. Following the first undersea plant, it is constructing a second plant capable of producing 640kV HVDC undersea cables. The introduction of the Palos and Scandi Connector, the first cable laying vessel for offshore wind in the country, is also enhancing its transportation, installation, and burial capabilities.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-20 09:00:00
  • Daishin Securities Raises Lotte Rentals Target Price to 60,000 Won Ahead of TPG Acquisition
    Daishin Securities Raises Lotte Rental's Target Price to 60,000 Won Ahead of TPG Acquisition Daishin Securities has maintained a "buy" rating for Lotte Rental and raised its target price to 60,000 won ahead of the company's acquisition by private equity firm TPG.In a report released on August 20, analyst Park Kang-ho noted that the largest shareholder of Lotte Rental has changed from Hotel Lotte and Busan Lotte Hotel to TPG, which holds a 61.17% stake.Park stated, "The acquisition price of 59,000 won per share is considered a premium price for the new major shareholder. Given the company's revenue and profit growth, the potential for the stock price to exceed the offering price is high." He added that at the 59,000 won price, the price-to-earnings ratio (P/E) for 2027 would be 10.2 times, and the price-to-book ratio (P/B) would be 1, indicating an attractive valuation.Regarding the stock price, he mentioned, "Due to the change in the largest shareholder, Lotte Rental's stock price has risen 72.9% from a low of 27,100 won on June 26 to the closing price on August 19. We believe further increases are possible, prompting us to raise the target price by 13.2% to 60,000 won."Looking ahead, Park highlighted the potential for increased dividends, stating, "Once the acquisition is finalized, we expect dividend expansion in 2027 based on the company's record performance in 2026." He added that the first year post-acquisition could see dividends raised, benefiting both investors and the new major shareholder.Additionally, he noted that TPG, as the second-largest shareholder of Kakao Mobility, is likely to seek synergies in future mobility platforms, including shared economy and autonomous driving solutions. Even considering the return of investment from Kakao Mobility, collaboration opportunities with Lotte Rental are expected to be explored.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-20 08:56:20
  • SK Telecom Halts New 3G Subscriptions as Service Shutdown Approaches
    SK Telecom Halts New 3G Subscriptions as Service Shutdown Approaches SK Telecom (SKT) has begun the process to terminate its 3G service. The company announced that it will stop new subscriptions for 3G service starting today. As a result, new sign-ups, number transfers, and device changes (including SIM card changes) for 3G devices and LTE devices that do not support HD Voice will be halted.SKT explained, "The number of 3G subscribers and traffic has been steadily declining, and the 3G devices and equipment are aging. Additionally, the communication environment is shifting towards next-generation networks, prompting the decision to discontinue the service." Previously, on July 23, SKT and KT met with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Science and ICT Lee Jong-ho to propose the termination of 3G services. SKT plans to apply for approval from the Ministry of Science and ICT for the 3G service shutdown and will gradually implement the service termination. The company will support existing 3G customers in transitioning to LTE and 5G.Initially, the service transition support program will target existing 3G customers and LTE customers who do not support HD Voice. This program is available to customers using the specified devices as of midnight today. Customers transitioning to LTE or 5G will retain their existing bundled discounts and long-term customer benefits.Eligible customers can choose from three options: a free replacement of one of three designated LTE or 5G devices and a monthly discount of up to 12,000 won for 24 months; a device purchase subsidy of up to 380,000 won and a monthly discount of up to 12,000 won for 24 months; or a monthly fee discount of up to 70% (up to 700,000 won) for 24 months. Regardless of the program chosen, customers will also receive four additional refill coupons.Customers aged 65 and older who transition from 3G to LTE or 5G will be supported in enrolling in the existing 'New Silver Plan' (9,900 won per month). If they do not change to another plan after enrollment, they can continue using this plan.Customers who choose not to participate in the transition support program and decide to cancel their service or switch to another carrier will receive a cancellation support payment of 40,000 won. Any penalties incurred during the transition, cancellation, or switch to another carrier will also be waived.SKT will inform 3G subscribers about the service termination plan and support programs through text messages (MMS), the T World website and app, and postal and email billing notices. Additional guidance will be provided to customers, particularly seniors, who may face challenges with digital services.Yoon Jae-woong, head of SKT's Product and Brand Division, stated, "We will carefully consider the circumstances of each customer who has used 3G for a long time and support their transition. We will continue to enhance network quality and service competitiveness so that all customers can enjoy more stable and convenient communication services." Meanwhile, global telecom companies are also discontinuing 3G services due to declining subscriber numbers and the need for more efficient frequency utilization. Companies such as Verizon, T-Mobile, and AT&T in the U.S., as well as NTT Docomo, SoftBank, KDDI in Japan, and O2 in the UK, have either initiated or completed the shutdown of their 3G services. 2026-08-20 08:56:10
  • ETF Trading Volume Drops to April Levels Amid Leverage Regulation
    ETF Trading Volume Drops to April Levels Amid Leverage Regulation This month, the average daily trading volume of domestic exchange-traded funds (ETFs) has fallen to half of last month's levels. This decline is attributed to stricter regulations on single-stock leverage products that were implemented at the end of July.According to the Korea Exchange, from August 3 to 19, the average daily trading volume of ETFs was recorded at 17.4371 trillion won. This represents a 47.6% decrease compared to last month's average of 33.2909 trillion won.The average daily trading volume of ETFs surged from 16.5359 trillion won in April to 30.4181 trillion won in May. In June, it reached a record high of 38.079 trillion won. However, it dropped to 33.2909 trillion won in July and has now returned to April's levels.The significant fluctuations in trading volume are largely attributed to single-stock leverage products. Sixteen types of these products, including two inverse funds, were launched on May 27. On their first day, trading reached 10.418 trillion won, and by late June, daily trading volume approached 20 trillion won.However, following the tightening of regulations on July 31, trading volume sharply declined. At one point, it fell to around 500 billion won, and it has recently fluctuated around 1 trillion won.Financial authorities increased the minimum deposit for single-stock leverage products from 10 million won to 30 million won as of July 31. Additionally, as of August 19, simulated trading has become mandatory for investments in these products.Trading volume has also decreased. The average daily trading volume of all ETFs rose from 4.818 billion shares in April to 10.495 billion shares in May, and then to 14.315 billion shares in July. This month, it has dropped back to 10.38 billion shares.The larger decline in trading volume compared to trading quantity is believed to be influenced by the price drop of single-stock leverage products.The overall ETF market size has also contracted. This month, the total market capitalization of ETFs is 440.808 trillion won, a 14.1% decrease from June's 512.3112 trillion won. During the same period, the number of ETF products increased from 1,143 to 1,162, an increase of 19.Market analysts view the recent decline in trading volume as a normalization process rather than a general downturn in the ETF market, particularly centered around single-stock leverage products.Labor Gil, a researcher at Shinhan Investment Corp, stated, "After the regulations, trading turnover and new inflows for single-stock leverage products have sharply decreased, and price shocks are also easing. While leverage balances remain, the trading activity that conveyed these to market prices has weakened significantly. The first normalization is occurring in trading rather than in balances."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-20 08:56:00
  • NH Nonghyup Bank Strengthens Personalized Financial Services Strategy
    NH Nonghyup Bank Strengthens Personalized Financial Services Strategy NH Nonghyup Bank is enhancing its strategy for personalized financial services by proactively understanding individual customer situations and financial needs.On August 20, NH Nonghyup Bank announced that it held a discussion at its headquarters in Jung-gu, Seoul, focused on the direction of its artificial intelligence transformation (AX) initiatives.The meeting included team leaders from relevant departments such as marketing, AX, data, platform, and technology. Participants shared strategies for providing differentiated financial services based on individual customer circumstances and contexts.A key focus of the discussion was on utilizing customer data and AI technology to anticipate financial needs and deliver timely products and services tailored to each customer.The meeting also addressed the implementation of an 'Agentic AI Bank,' where AI actively suggests and executes necessary services for customers. To achieve this, the bank plans to strengthen collaboration among marketing, data, platform, and technology teams while continuously enhancing its data and technological capabilities.Kang Tae-young, President of NH Nonghyup Bank, stated, "Understanding each customer's situation and needs in detail and providing the financial services they require ahead of time will be the core competitiveness of future finance. We must innovate customer experiences and create differentiated financial service competitiveness based on AX and personalization."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-20 08:56:00
  • Samsung to Unveil New Galaxy Model on 27th, Likely S26 FE
    Samsung to Unveil New Galaxy Model on 27th, Likely S26 FE Samsung Electronics will unveil a new model in the Galaxy S26 series on the 27th. This addition expands the Galaxy smartphone lineup, which already includes the S26, S26+, and S26 Ultra released earlier this year.According to Samsung Electronics, the 'Samsung Galaxy Event' will take place at 9 PM on the 27th, with the new Galaxy S26 model being revealed. The event will be streamed live on Samsung.com and the official Samsung YouTube channel.Samsung describes this product as a new Galaxy offering focused on users who prioritize essential features and experiences. Specific product names and specifications have not been disclosed. Key changes are expected to include enhancements in camera technology, artificial intelligence (AI), and the latest operating system, One UI.Earlier this year, Samsung introduced the Galaxy S26, S26+, and S26 Ultra during the 'Galaxy Unpacked 2026' event in February. The upcoming event aims to respond to the demand for smartphones in the second half of the year by adding a new model to the existing flagship lineup.Industry analysts are paying close attention to whether Samsung will continue its strategy of segmenting the product line following the flagship releases in the first half of the year, especially with this separate event for the new S26 series model.Details regarding the specifications, pricing, and release schedule of the new product will be revealed during the event. Samsung plans to enhance the user experience within the Galaxy ecosystem, focusing on camera and AI capabilities with this new model. 2026-08-20 08:56:00
  • SK Hynix Unveils Next-Gen Optical Interconnect Technology for AI Data Centers
    SK Hynix Unveils Next-Gen Optical Interconnect Technology for AI Data Centers SK Hynix has introduced next-generation optical interconnect technology aimed at addressing data bottlenecks between systems in AI data centers, moving beyond high-bandwidth memory (HBM). The focus is on transitioning data transmission between chips, racks, and pods to optical communication in massive AI infrastructures that connect thousands of GPUs and HBM.On August 20, SK Hynix announced that it has published a research paper on Co-Packaged Optics (CPO) technology in the international journal Nature Electronics. The research involved collaboration with teams from the University of Virginia, the University of Illinois, Nanyang Technological University, MIT, and Yonsei University.CPO technology integrates optical transceivers within the same package as processors. Traditional copper-based electrical connections suffer from increased signal loss and power consumption as data transmission distances and speeds increase. CPO minimizes the distance that high-speed electrical signals must travel by placing optical engines close to the processor and connecting the remaining distance with light.The rapid increase in AI computational performance has led to data movement between systems becoming a new bottleneck. The paper highlights that while computational performance triples approximately every two years, interconnect bandwidth only increases by 1.4 times during the same period.Recently, SK Hynix has expanded its business scope beyond HBM to include power, packaging, and connection technologies for AI data centers, responding to competition in system-level AI infrastructure.The research team outlined a development path for CPO technology, extending from 2D packaging to 2.5D interposers and 3D heterogeneous integration. They also identified technical challenges for commercialization. The technical goals for next-generation AI infrastructure include achieving over 100 Tbps of bandwidth per node, energy consumption of less than 1 pJ/bit, and inter-chip latency of under 10 ns.In the long term, the team proposed expanding optical connections to memory. The core concept is an 'optics-centric architecture' that directly connects computational resources and memory resources through optical interposers. This structure would allow multiple accelerators to share a large memory pool, enabling the scaling of AI models.This paper is significant as it defines CPO not just as a single component technology but as a system technology that integrates memory, processors, and optical devices within a package. It also illustrates how SK Hynix is broadening its technological scope from HBM-centric memory competition to encompass the entire AI infrastructure.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-20 08:52:00