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  • Emergency Fire Truck Training Scheduled in Gwangju on August 20
    Emergency Fire Truck Training Scheduled in Gwangju on August 20 Emergency fire truck yielding training will take place in Gwangju. The Gwangju Metropolitan Fire Department announced that it will conduct a nationwide "Emergency Fire Truck Yielding Training" in conjunction with civil defense drills at 27 locations in Gwangju on August 20. At 2 p.m. that day, when the civil defense siren sounds, fire trucks will respond in real scenarios for 20 minutes on major roads, including traditional markets, intersections, and areas prone to congestion. Pedestrians are required to pause at crosswalks, regardless of pedestrian signals, to allow emergency vehicles to pass. Drivers must pull over to the right edge of the road and stop on single-lane roads and intersections. On two-lane roads, drivers should move to the second lane to allow emergency vehicles to pass in the first lane, and on roads with three or more lanes, they should shift to the first and third lanes to enable emergency vehicles to access the center lane. Yielding to responding fire trucks is a legal obligation and a fundamental promise to protect the lives of others. Failure to yield or obstructing fire truck passage may result in fines of up to 2 million won under the Fire Services Act. The Fire Department aims to secure the golden time (within 5 minutes) for reaching disaster sites for fires, rescues, and medical emergencies, and will continue to promote guidelines for drivers to yield quickly and correctly when encountering emergency vehicles.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-19 10:12:00
  • Seoul Reduces Housing Project Association Establishment Time to Four Months
    Seoul Reduces Housing Project Association Establishment Time to Four Months Seoul is reducing the time required to establish associations for urban renewal projects from approximately one year to four months to accelerate housing supply.On August 19, the city announced the implementation of the 'Improvement Plan for Accelerating Association Establishment Procedures' starting the previous day. Recent legal amendments and deregulation measures now allow the formation of promotion committees even before the designation of renewal zones, enabling preliminary procedures for association establishment to be conducted in advance to speed up projects.The key aspect of the improvement plan is that while previously preparations for association establishment could only begin after a zone was designated, now they can start before the designation.According to the plan, if a promotion committee secures a resident agreement rate of over 75% during its formation stage, it can concurrently carry out tasks necessary for association establishment, such as drafting bylaws and selecting executives, even before the designation of the renewal zone. Previously, the process took time as it moved sequentially after meeting the agreement requirements, but now multiple procedures can be conducted simultaneously.The notification of estimated contribution fees and the period for objections, which occur after the zone designation, will also be shortened. Previously taking over 60 days, this will now be reduced to 30 days, aligning with the resident review period, and can be conducted alongside the inaugural general meeting.As a result, the standard processing time from the designation of a renewal zone to the establishment of an association will decrease from 365 days to about 120 days, effectively shortening the process from nearly a year to approximately four months, a reduction of about 245 days.Urban renewal projects proceed through several stages, including the formation of a promotion committee, association establishment, project approval, and management approval, leading to construction and occupancy.Seoul has communicated this improvement plan to local districts on August 18, with immediate implementation.Myung No-jun, head of the Housing Policy Division at Seoul, stated, "This improvement plan has already been disseminated to local districts and will be applied immediately. Areas with high resident agreement rates and strong project promotion will see expedited housing supply."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-19 10:12:00
  • Isu Petasys Plans Expansion Following Strong Q2 Performance
    Isu Petasys Plans Expansion Following Strong Q2 Performance Isu Petasys is seeing a rise of over 5% in early trading as it reviews plans for additional investments in its sixth factory, following a strong second-quarter performance. The increase in demand for high-spec printed circuit boards (PCBs) driven by the expansion of the artificial intelligence (AI) server and data center market is boosting expectations for improved performance and production capacity.As of 9:45 a.m. on the Korea Exchange, Isu Petasys shares were trading at 108,400 won, up 5,500 won (5.34%) from the previous trading day. This marks the second consecutive day of gains, following a 7.64% increase the day before.On August 18, Isu Petasys announced that it is considering further investments in its sixth factory to meet the rising demand for high-spec PCBs due to the global expansion of the AI server and data center market. The additional investment is expected to be in the mid-100 billion won range and will likely include key manufacturing equipment and facilities necessary for the full operation of the sixth factory, as well as essential equipment for high-spec PCB production.If the existing investment plans and additional facility investments proceed as scheduled, the company anticipates establishing a foundation for over 2 trillion won in long-term revenue production capacity.The second-quarter results were also strong, with Isu Petasys reporting consolidated sales of 379.9 billion won and an operating profit of 77.1 billion won, setting a new quarterly record. These figures represent increases of 57.4% and 83.2%, respectively, compared to the same period last year. The order backlog stood at 622.2 billion won, up 97% year-on-year and 8% from the previous quarter.Analysts expect continued growth in performance driven by additional expansions and the acquisition of new clients.Kyung-min Kwon, a researcher at Kiwoom Securities, noted, "The key takeaway from this earnings report is the additional capacity secured through the expansion of the sixth factory, which enhances guidance. This is expected to lead to further improvements in blended average selling prices and profit margins." He also positively assessed the acquisition of two new hyperscale clients.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-19 10:08:00
  • Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix Shares Plunge Amid Weak U.S. Semiconductor Market
    Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix Shares Plunge Amid Weak U.S. Semiconductor Market Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix are experiencing significant declines in early trading due to the weak performance of U.S. semiconductor stocks overnight.As of 9:59 a.m. on the Korea Exchange, Samsung Electronics shares were trading at 250,000 won, down 18,500 won (6.89%) from the previous trading day. SK Hynix also saw a drop of 14,000 won (8.42%), bringing its stock price to 1,522,000 won.The downturn in both stocks is attributed to a broad decline in semiconductor-related shares on the New York Stock Exchange.Last night, the Philadelphia Semiconductor Index fell by 4.98%. Micron Technology, a memory chip maker, dropped 7.02%, while SanDisk fell by 9.01%. SK Hynix's American Depositary Receipts (ADRs) plummeted by 9.20%.The widening losses in semiconductor stocks are analyzed as a response to rising geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, which have heightened concerns about inflation and interest rate increases.With international oil prices on the rise and U.S. long-term Treasury yields remaining high, investor sentiment towards technology stocks has weakened. A message from U.S. President Donald Trump indicating that negotiations with Iran are not currently underway has also fueled risk-averse sentiment.Seo Jeong-hoon, a researcher at Samsung Securities, stated, "The index has shown weakness due to rising international oil prices and long-term Treasury yields stemming from the situation in the Middle East. In particular, the increased volatility of semiconductor-related stocks is putting pressure on the domestic market."Jo Jae-woon, a researcher at Daishin Securities, noted, "Concerns about inflation have intensified due to the deepening geopolitical risks in the Middle East, leading to a decline in investor sentiment focused on technology stocks. The upcoming FOMC minutes and the Jackson Hole meeting will be key variables influencing short-term volatility regarding the Federal Reserve's inflation assessment."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-19 10:08:00
  • North Korea warns of decisive response to US-South Korea joint military drills
    North Korea warns of decisive response to US-South Korea joint military drills SEOUL, August 19 (AJP) - North Korea would decisively respond to military threats posed by its enemies, referring to the ongoing joint military exercise between the U.S. and South Korea, state media reported on Wednesday. In a commentary carried by the state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), North Korea said its "right to self-defense" would be exercised "clearly" through what it described as "advanced new power" to "fully neutralize military threats from enemies." But KCNA made no mention of U.S. President Donald Trump's order last weekend to reduce the scale of the annual joint drills. Instead, it focused on the scale and structure of Ulchi Freedom Shield (UFS), describing the exercise as "increasingly dangerous" and accusing Seoul and Washington of repeatedly expanding and upgrading their training. It also claimed that the exercise, which lasts more than 10 days, poses a greater threat to its security and escalates tensions on the Korean Peninsula. This year's UFS, which began earlier this week and runs for about 10 days, is an annual joint military exercise consisting of computer-simulated drills and some field training aimed at strengthening the allies' readiness and ability to respond to potential threats on the Korean Peninsula. North Korea has long condemned the exercise as a "rehearsal for invasion" by what it calls "warmongers," while Seoul and Washington maintain that it is defensive in nature. Meanwhile, U.S. Forces Korea Commander Gen. Xavier Brunson met with South Korean Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back the previous day, apparently to discuss Trump's order to scale down the exercise, amid signs that about a dozen field-training drills could be downsized. AJP Takeaways • North Korea warned on Aug. 19, 2026, that it would take a "decisive" response to what it described as military threats from its enemies, in reference to the ongoing U.S.-South Korea Ulchi Freedom Shield (UFS) exercise. • North Korea said its "right to self-defense" would be exercised through what it called "advanced new power" to "fully neutralize military threats from enemies," but did not specify what form its response would take. • North Korea's state media, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), criticized the scale and structure of the UFS exercise, calling it "increasingly dangerous" and accusing the United States and South Korea of repeatedly expanding and upgrading their military training. • The 2026 Ulchi Freedom Shield exercise began on Aug. 17, 2026, and is scheduled to run for about 10 days, combining computer-simulated drills with field training to strengthen U.S. and South Korean military readiness. • On August 18, 2026, U.S. Forces Korea Commander Gen. Xavier Brunson met with South Korean Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back, apparently to discuss U.S. President Donald Trump's order to scale down the annual joint drills, amid indications that about a dozen field-training drills could be reduced in scope. 2026-08-19 10:04:38
  • Daejeons Seongsimdang Bakery Named Top Travel Destination by Public Vote
    Daejeon's Seongsimdang Bakery Named Top Travel Destination by Public Vote Daejeon's famous bakery, Seongsimdang, has been voted the top travel destination in South Korea by the public. The overall winner, based on combined votes across all travel themes, is Jeju's Seongsan Ilchulbong. This reflects a recent travel trend favoring places with diverse attractions that offer simple, everyday satisfaction over flashy sights.The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, in collaboration with the Korea Tourism Organization, announced the results of the 'Discovering Korea's Attractions 100X100 Project' on August 19.The 100X100 Project departs from traditional methods of selecting attractions led by the public sector, instead allowing the public to vote on recommendations from 100 travel experts. From June 29 to July 17, a total of 40,145 people participated in the voting, casting 1,538,035 votes. As a result, 9,883 attractions (6,336 unique entries) were newly identified across 100 themes.The most popular travel theme among voters was 'food tourism.' Four of the top ten themes were food-related, including 'affordable restaurants' (1st), 'hidden gems' (2nd), 'seasonal foods available now' (3rd), and 'bread pilgrimage across the country' (5th).Historical and natural themes also performed well. 'Modern and Contemporary Historical Sites' ranked 4th, while 'Traditional Markets in Korea' came in 6th. Other popular themes included 'healing forests' (7th) and 'nature parks for learning and enjoyment' (8th). This trend highlights a preference for casual dining, meaningful spaces, and comfortable relaxation over extravagant tourism.In the single theme category, Daejeon's Seongsimdang topped the 'bread pilgrimage across the country' theme. The success of a local bakery in a nationwide vote demonstrates that unique regional food spaces can serve as strong travel destinations. Another bakery, Iseongdang in Gunsan, also ranked 5th in the same category, supporting this trend.There was also a notable rise in historical and cultural spaces. Historical sites in Seoul dominated the 'Modern and Contemporary Historical Sites' category, with the National Museum of Korea ranking 2nd, followed by Jongmyo Shrine (3rd), Seodaemun Prison History Hall (4th), and the National Palace Museum of Korea (tied for 5th). The trend of 'museum outings' among younger generations, seeking immersive experiences beyond simple viewing, is reflected in these rankings.Overall, Jeju's Seongsan Ilchulbong claimed the top spot in the comprehensive ranking, receiving votes across 22 themes, including 'sunrise and sunset points' and 'climbing to the top of the stairs.' Following Seongsan Ilchulbong in the overall rankings were the National Museum of Korea (2nd), Gyeongbokgung Palace (3rd), Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond (4th), and Seongsimdang (5th).Regionally, Seoul (1,261 attractions), Gyeongbuk (1,088), and Gangwon (1,058) produced the most attractions. Notably, train stations such as Gyeongju Station, Jeongdongjin Station, and Busan Station were selected as the most voted attractions in their respective regions. These transit points are increasingly recognized as valuable destinations worth visiting.The 9,883 attractions chosen by the public can be viewed on a dedicated website linked to 'Discovering Korea's Attractions' starting August 19. Visitors can receive recommendations for attractions that match their preferences through a travel type quiz or plan trips that connect nearby attractions.Among the 40,145 participants, 4,563 will receive prizes through a lottery. The Ministry of Culture and the Korea Tourism Organization plan to continue various participatory events until the end of the year, including a photo festival for 'funny travel moments,' pet-friendly travel certifications, and seasonal theme attraction stamp rallies.Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Choi Hwi-young, stated, 'When planning a trip, the first question is often, 'Where should I go?' The 100X100 project was initiated to create new landmarks that answer that question. We will ensure that the 9,883 attractions chosen by the public lead to actual visits, encouraging travelers to explore regions beyond the metropolitan area.'* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-19 10:04:20
  • Hanyang University Law School Team Wins Mock Fair Trade Commission Competition
    Hanyang University Law School Team Wins Mock Fair Trade Commission Competition The Hanyang University Law School team analyzed the potential competitive restrictions of a merger between a leading easy payment provider and a top virtual asset exchange, winning first place at the Mock Fair Trade Commission Competition for university students.The Fair Trade Commission announced on August 19 that the Hanyang University team received the top award at the 24th Mock Fair Trade Commission Competition held at The Riverside Hotel in Seoul on August 12-13.This year, a record 43 teams participated in the preliminary rounds. Twenty teams that passed the written evaluation competed in the finals, addressing recent fair trade issues related to online platforms, generative artificial intelligence (AI), and algorithms. The teams created hypothetical fair trade cases and divided roles between judges and defendants, engaging in debates over facts and legal principles similar to actual Fair Trade Commission hearings.The Hanyang University team focused on a hypothetical case involving a comprehensive stock exchange merger between the top easy payment provider and the leading virtual asset exchange. The judges argued that the combination of payment and investment data, along with integrated membership, could create a lock-in effect that keeps users tied to a specific platform. They also raised concerns about the potential to block competition from adjacent new markets, such as Korean won stablecoins, and to raise entry barriers.In contrast, the defense team contended that the virtual asset market is a borderless competitive environment, arguing that preemptively regulating an unformed future market for potential monopolies is unjust. They also presented the argument that the merger would enhance efficiency by competing with global players and improving consumer welfare.The Best Award was shared by a joint team from Seoul National University and Korea University Law Schools and the Yonsei University Law School team.The Seoul National University and Korea University joint team addressed a hypothetical case where an open market operator enters its own fulfillment business, securing data from partner logistics companies and offering benefits such as search exposure and rewards to sellers using its delivery services.The Yonsei University team analyzed whether the actions of private rental operators using the same rental management software's price recommendation algorithm to set rental prices could constitute anti-competitive information exchange or collusion.Additionally, three teams received Excellence Awards, and 14 teams received Encouragement Awards.Choi Byeong-ki, chairman of the Fair Trade Commission, stated, "To solve the structural problems of our economy and achieve sustainable growth, it is essential to build a mature market system. I hope you will develop expertise with a keen interest in fair market design and competition policy."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-19 10:04:10
  • AI Companies and Demand Firms Unite at Major AI Business Event in Seoul
    AI Companies and Demand Firms Unite at Major AI Business Event in Seoul A large-scale AI business event bringing together artificial intelligence (AI) technology firms and companies seeking to implement AI has kicked off in Seoul. The number of participating companies has significantly increased compared to last year, indicating a shift from research and development to the actual implementation and commercialization of AI technologies in various industries.According to the Korea International Trade Association on August 19, the association, along with COEX and DMK Global, is hosting the 'AI Summit Seoul & Expo 2026' at COEX in Gangnam, Seoul. The event will run for three days, concluding on August 21.This year, 118 companies from seven countries are participating, occupying 307 booths. This marks a 66.2% increase from last year's 71 companies and 197 booths. The number of pre-registered attendees has also surged, increasing nearly fivefold compared to last year. Organizers expect over 25,000 visitors to attend this year's event.The exhibition is divided into four areas: industry-specific AI solutions, enterprise AI, generative AI, and AI experiences. Global AI companies such as Adobe, ZenSpark, and Oracle will showcase solutions and case studies applicable to industrial settings.Business collaboration among companies is a key feature of the event. The AI Business Connecting program will see participation from over 80 companies, including AI technology firms, large and medium-sized enterprises, and investors, facilitating more than 200 one-on-one consultations. The AI Startup Forum will allow startups to present their technologies and business models while discussing potential collaborations with investors.This year also marks the expansion of the physical AI exhibition area. A newly established humanoid robot demonstration zone will feature technologies from companies like Aegibot and Pudu Robotics. Additionally, training sessions on AI applications for overseas marketing and business automation will be conducted for industry professionals.Key topics at the conference will include the adoption of AI in manufacturing and finance, as well as discussions on AI agents and physical AI. Representatives from global companies such as Google, Microsoft, NASA, and Seagate will share strategies for applying AI across various industries.As the competitive landscape of the AI market shifts from securing models and technological performance to acquiring actual customers and applying solutions in industrial settings, the commercialization of AI through inter-company connections has emerged as a critical challenge.This event is the first major private AI business gathering since the government's 'San Francisco AI Declaration' in July. The Korea International Trade Association aims to provide technology firms with opportunities to secure customers and expand internationally, while helping demand companies discover AI solutions applicable to their operations.Jeong Hee-cheol, head of the Overseas Marketing Division at the Korea International Trade Association, stated, "There is a need for a market where technology companies and industrial demand firms can meet, collaborate, and create business opportunities alongside excellent technology development. We hope that the AI Summit Seoul & Expo will establish itself as a business platform that promotes the expansion of domestic AI companies and the industry's transition to AI."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-19 10:04:00
  • Samsung Display Unveils Next-Gen OLED Technology at IMID 2026
    Samsung Display Unveils Next-Gen OLED Technology at IMID 2026 Samsung Display has unveiled a next-generation OLED technology that improves brightness at the fold of its foldable displays, addressing a key weakness. The company also showcased large stretchable displays and OLEDs for humanoid robots, entering the competitive display technology market aimed at the AI era.According to Samsung Display, the company is participating in the 'IMID 2026' event, taking place from August 18 to 21 at BEXCO in Busan. Samsung Display introduced its latest 7.6-inch 'wide-view display' and a 20-inch 'wide stretchable' display for the first time.The wide-view display features technology that reduces brightness loss at the curved edges of foldable panels. Previously, the brightness on the curved edges near the central fold was about 40% lower than the front view.By redesigning the materials and structure of the organic light-emitting layer, Samsung Display has achieved uniform brightness even in the curved areas. This technology can be applied not only to foldable displays but also to next-generation form factors such as slideable and rollable displays.The 20-inch wide stretchable display utilizes tiling technology that connects two existing stretchable panels to function as a single screen, effectively doubling the display size compared to previous products. Samsung Display minimized the boundaries between panels to create a large, seamless screen.This large stretchable display can be utilized in areas requiring curved displays, such as digital cockpits for vehicles, humanoid robots, and digital signage.Samsung Display is also showcasing AI-related display products, including displays that can be used for gaze tracking in humanoids and a necklace-type 'AI OLED pendant.' For automotive applications, the company is presenting a 6.4-inch 'big hole display' and a vertical slideable CID that can expand up to 15.5 inches.Additionally, Samsung Display is exhibiting IT-oriented OLED products, including a 31.5-inch QD-OLED monitor with 4K resolution and a 360Hz refresh rate, as well as a 34-inch 360Hz QD-OLED and a 16-inch 2.5K 300Hz OLED laptop panel.At this event, Samsung Display will present the most technical papers among participating companies, with a total of 57 papers, marking the second consecutive year of the highest number of presentations.The OLED used in the Galaxy S26 Ultra will receive the 'IMID Display of the Year' award, recognized for being the world's first privacy display.Samsung Display is expanding the application of OLED technology beyond smartphones to vehicles, robots, and smart spaces, simultaneously improving the quality of foldable displays and increasing the size of stretchable displays.On August 19, Jo Sung-chan, Vice President and Head of the Display Research Institute at Samsung Display, will deliver a keynote speech at the IMID 2026 opening ceremony on the topic 'The Next Leap of AI: Why Displays Are More Important Than Ever.' Samsung Display is expected to propose that displays in the AI era will evolve as interfaces connecting humans and AI, serving as intelligent platforms.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-19 10:04:00
  • LG Display Unveils Next-Generation OLED Technology FLiPP at IMID 2026
    LG Display Unveils Next-Generation OLED Technology 'FLiPP' at IMID 2026 LG Display has introduced a next-generation patterning technology that eliminates the fine metal mask (FMM), a key component in traditional OLED production processes. This new technology increases the aperture ratio by 55% while reducing reliance on FMM during the pixel formation process. It is expected to enhance OLED brightness and lifespan while reducing power consumption, potentially becoming a cornerstone in the next generation of OLED competition.On August 19, LG Display announced that it unveiled its independently developed OLED patterning technology, 'FLiPP,' at the International Meeting on Information Display (IMID) 2026, held at BEXCO in Busan.FLiPP stands for 'FMM-Less innovative Pixel Patterning.' Unlike the traditional FMM method, this technology forms RGB pixels without a metal mask.The FMM is a metal mask with tiny holes that is closely adhered to the OLED substrate, allowing for the deposition of red, green, and blue organic materials to create pixels. However, as display sizes and resolutions change, the need for separate FMM production increases costs.LG Display's method involves sequentially applying RGB pixels across the entire substrate and then using ultraviolet light to remove unnecessary areas, thereby forming the pixels. This structure reduces the space between pixels and enhances luminous efficiency by not using FMM.According to LG Display, the application of FLiPP increases the aperture ratio by approximately 55% compared to the existing FMM method. Under the same conditions, it can boost brightness by 1.6 times or extend lifespan by 2.4 times, while also reducing power consumption by 13%.Industry experts believe that as OLED technology advances toward higher resolutions and larger sizes, the importance of process technologies that reduce FMM production costs and sagging issues will grow.With this technology reveal, LG Display aims to differentiate not only its OLED materials and panels but also the processes used to create pixels. The company is also showcasing tandem technology and next-generation display technologies alongside large, medium, and automotive OLED products.Additionally, LG Display introduced 'HDS,' a next-generation OLED TV panel driving technology that doubles data transmission speeds, improving the pixel driving method. This advancement has increased the refresh rate of OLED TV panels from 144Hz to 165Hz.HDS received the 'IMID Display of the Year' award for outstanding display technology among commercial products this year. LG Display is applying HDS across all its OLED TV panel products for mass production.At IMID, LG Display has themed its exhibition around 'OLED, the Core Technology Leading the AI Era.' The company plans to continue its technological differentiation in the premium display market by emphasizing next-generation OLED technology.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-19 10:04:00