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  • SK Shieldus Expands Zero Trust Security Business to Include AI Verification
    SK Shieldus Expands Zero Trust Security Business to Include AI Verification SK Shieldus announced on August 19 that it will enhance its zero trust-based AI security business to address the growing demand for security management that includes artificial intelligence (AI) agents.To respond to this shift, SK Shieldus will offer AI security consulting services based on its proprietary zero trust methodology, known as SKZT (SK Shieldus Zero Trust). SKZT identifies key protection targets such as users, devices, networks, systems, applications, and data, diagnosing security levels to support the establishment of a long-term roadmap. The company plans to extend this framework to improve the security levels of businesses utilizing AI.As companies rapidly transition to using AI for actual work tasks, there is a concern that inadequate management systems for non-human entities (NHI) like AI could lead to new security risks, including excessive authority grants, data leaks, and system misuse.This underscores the increasing importance of zero trust principles. Zero trust is a security model that operates on the concept of 'always verify and grant the least privilege,' fundamentally distrusting users, devices, and systems while continuously validating identities and permissions for all access requests.SK Shieldus has also been actively collaborating in the zero trust field. In 2024, it launched the zero trust consortium 'ZETIA' with ten domestic and international security companies, establishing cooperative frameworks in key areas such as ID and authentication, network segmentation, log analysis, and AI anomaly detection. The current initiative aims to expand the existing zero trust ecosystem to include AI operational environments.SK Shieldus will assess AI operational environments to diagnose what systems and data AI can access and whether permissions are appropriately granted, supporting clients in building their AI governance and security frameworks. The company will also help establish management systems to proactively identify and respond to potential security risks arising from AI usage.In particular, SK Shieldus will incorporate global standards such as the National Institute of Standards and Technology's (NIST) AI Risk Management Framework (AI RMF), the Department of Defense's (DoD) Responsible AI Guidelines (RAI), and the international AI management system standard ISO/IEC 42001, to help businesses systematically manage AI-related risks and comply with regulatory requirements.To expand its AI security business, SK Shieldus is strengthening global technology partnerships. The company plans to collaborate with various global technology vendors to provide security technologies that can detect threats in AI environments and safely manage access permissions and data.From establishing AI governance to building and operating security systems, SK Shieldus aims to help clients create a consistent security framework throughout the entire process of AI utilization. The company intends to expand its zero trust-based AI security business across various industries, including finance, manufacturing, and public sectors.An SK Shieldus representative stated, "As AI evolves from a simple support tool to an entity performing actual work, the scope of security management is expanding from a human-centric focus to include AI. SK Shieldus will support clients in safely utilizing AI by assisting with governance establishment, security framework development, and operational processes."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-19 09:00:00
  • North Korea Criticizes US-South Korea Joint Military Exercises Without Mentioning Trump’s Orders
    North Korea Criticizes US-South Korea Joint Military Exercises Without Mentioning Trump’s Orders North Korea threatened on August 19 regarding the US-South Korea joint military exercise 'Ulchi Freedom Shield' (UFS), stating, "Our exercise of self-defense rights to thoroughly neutralize the military threats from our adversaries will be expressed in more explicit actions." While President Donald Trump has recently directed a reduction in US-South Korea joint exercises as a gesture of goodwill toward North Korea, and US and South Korean military authorities are discussing plans for this reduction, the state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) did not mention these developments at all. In a commentary released that day, KCNA stated, "It is necessary to respond to the increasingly evolving threatening actions of our adversaries with a new and advanced force." The commentary warned that adversaries infringing upon the sovereignty and security of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea) would fall under the scope of constant and devastating retaliatory measures, adding, "All invasion war exercises by adversary countries will never yield the results they desire." KCNA criticized the UFS, detailing its content, format, and scale, claiming it is undergoing a perilous evolution each time. It described the participation of the United Nations Command in the exercises as a "serious development" that is reviving and expanding its combat functions. The agency asserted, "The Korean Peninsula, which borders our country, is not just a training ground for the US-South Korea military alliance but is becoming a gathering place for multinational invasion forces targeting the security of our country and the autonomous nations in the region, as well as a demonstration site for modern warfare." It further stated, "The ongoing exercises, which have been frantically conducted for over ten days, are bringing the already tense situation on the Korean Peninsula to a 'critical point' for the outbreak of war," warning that the dangerous escalation of war exercises poses a more severe threat to the security of our republic, which will lead to further deterioration of the situation in the Korean Peninsula and the Asia-Pacific region." Im Ul-chul, a professor at Kyungnam University's Far East Institute, noted, "We need to observe further, but it is highly likely that President Trump's remarks on 'reducing exercises' will continue to be ignored. North Korea may feel the need to exaggerate threats to maintain its military response justification if it mentions the training reduction controversy." Professor Im added, "The fact that this is a commentary from KCNA rather than a direct declaration from Kim Yo-jong, the head of the Workers' Party's General Affairs Department, or a spokesperson from the Ministry of National Defense indicates a level of restraint."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-19 08:56:00
  • Will Instagram Likes and Infinite Scroll Disappear? Meta Faces Lawsuit
    Will Instagram Likes and Infinite Scroll Disappear? Meta Faces Lawsuit A legal battle has begun in the U.S. over whether Instagram and Facebook are designed to encourage excessive use among teenagers, with Meta facing lawsuits from 29 states. The outcome could potentially alter familiar features like 'likes' and infinite scroll.On August 18, local time, Reuters reported that opening statements in the lawsuit against Meta commenced in a federal court in Oakland, California.Four states—California, Colorado, Kentucky, and New Jersey—allege that Meta designed features to keep young users on its platforms longer while misleading consumers about safety. The 29 states also claim that Meta improperly collected and used children's personal information, violating federal laws.The lawsuit was initiated in 2023, following testimony from former Meta employee Frances Haugen in 2021, where she stated that the company was aware of the risks its services posed to teenagers but failed to take adequate measures. This prompted several states to launch a joint investigation.The plaintiffs are seeking not only financial penalties but also changes to platform features. The four states have requested the court to eliminate the 'likes' feature and the infinite scroll function that continuously displays new posts, as well as to impose limits on usage time for young users. They are also calling for stricter restrictions to prevent children under 13 from using the platform.However, it remains uncertain whether these features will actually be removed. The jury will provide a non-binding advisory verdict, while the final responsibility for any sanctions will rest with U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers. The trial is expected to last about six weeks.Meta has denied the allegations. A spokesperson for the company stated that a clear causal relationship between teenagers' social media use and mental health deterioration has not been established. Meta has also argued that various factors, including academic pressure and family and social environments, affect youth mental health, asserting that the related lawsuits oversimplify the issue.Additionally, Meta emphasized that it has implemented measures to protect teenage users, such as defaulting accounts to private settings, providing parental controls for usage time, and limiting exposure to sensitive content.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-19 08:52:00
  • Samsung Securities Raises Robotiq Target Price Amid Strong Growth in China
    Samsung Securities Raises Robotiq Target Price Amid Strong Growth in China Samsung Securities announced on August 19 that it has raised its target price for Robotiq from 320,000 won to 350,000 won, an increase of 9.4%, citing rapid growth in actuator sales primarily in China and the anticipated launch of new products and data services. The investment recommendation remains a 'buy.'Seoji Hyun, a researcher at Samsung Securities, stated, "The one-time costs incurred last quarter due to employee stock compensation have dissipated, leading to a return to profitability in the second quarter." He added, "Sales are growing in key regions, including China, and new products and data services are set to gain momentum." Robotiq reported second-quarter sales of 15.4 billion won, a 95% increase compared to the same period last year, with an operating profit of 2 billion won, marking a return to profitability. In the first quarter, the company recorded an operating loss due to 11.8 billion won in expenses related to employee stock compensation, but profitability has normalized with the elimination of those costs. The operating profit margin for the actuator segment remains high at 22.5%.Notably, sales growth in China has been significant. In the first half of the year, sales in China reached 2.2 billion won, a 180% increase year-on-year. This growth is attributed to the expansion of actuator supplies to various applications and customer groups, including humanoids, robotic arms, and dexterous hands.Looking ahead to the second half of the year, the data business and new product launches are expected to drive growth. Samsung Securities anticipates that high-margin data sales targeting big tech companies will begin in earnest, based on over 6,000 episodes accumulated in the data factory. Additionally, the upcoming launches of the humanoid 'AI Sapiens' and 'Dynamixel Q' are expected to be key factors in securing initial orders, which could influence short-term stock prices.Seoji Hyun noted, "The results of proactive infrastructure investments, such as the Uzbekistan production facility and data factory, will become visible starting in early 2027. We expect 2028 to be the first year of significant profit generation as the effects of the new factory expansion in Uzbekistan are fully reflected."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-19 08:52:00
  • Hyundai Marine & Fire Insurance Establishes Consumer Protection Charter
    Hyundai Marine & Fire Insurance Establishes Consumer Protection Charter Hyundai Marine & Fire Insurance announced the establishment of a 'Consumer Protection Charter' focused on consumer-centered business principles on August 19. This charter builds on the 'Customer Satisfaction Charter' first declared by Hyundai in 1996, reflecting the evolving financial landscape and increased consumer protection demands following the implementation of the Financial Consumer Protection Act. The charter prioritizes consumer rights protection and customer satisfaction, committing to fair and prompt service, respect for customers, and the provision of optimal services. To enhance the charter's effectiveness, Hyundai has established five core principles: consumer-centered, fair and prompt, respect and empathy, proactive prevention, and consumer information protection. Employees are expected to use these principles as criteria in all business processes. The Consumer Protection Charter reflects the core values of Hyundai's corporate value system, 'Hi-Value,' and was established following a decision by the internal control committee for financial consumer protection. During the management strategy seminar held on July 24, the charter was proclaimed by the CEO and all executives and department heads. A Hyundai representative stated, “We will continue to promote follow-up activities such as establishing work guidelines and improving systems to ensure that the Consumer Protection Charter is effectively integrated into all employee operations.”* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-19 08:44:00
  • Koreas Small and Medium Business Agency Returns to International Capital Market with $400 Million Social Bond
    Korea's Small and Medium Business Agency Returns to International Capital Market with $400 Million Social Bond The Korea SMEs and Startups Agency has returned to the international capital market for the first time in a decade by issuing a $400 million social bond.On August 19, the agency announced that it successfully issued the 3.5-year maturity social bond at a spread of 40 basis points over U.S. Treasury rates.The agency noted that this represents the lowest spread ever for a fixed-rate foreign currency bond issued by a domestic public corporation.Ahead of its return to the international capital market, the agency actively promoted its creditworthiness and policy finance achievements while building a global investor network.From July 12 to 17, it held a non-deal roadshow in major financial hubs including Hong Kong, Singapore, and Taiwan, and conducted a final deal roadshow on August 12 and 13 to gauge investor interest. These two investor relations sessions attracted broad investment demand from institutional investors in Asia, Europe, and the Middle East.The international credit rating agency Moody's awarded the bond the highest rating of 'SQS1 (Excellent)' in the social financing category for its environmental, social, and governance (ESG) evaluation.In line with the purpose of the social bond to realize social value and address issues, the funds raised will be allocated to support the artificial intelligence transition (AX) of small and medium enterprises, foster new industries, secure innovation growth drivers, and create jobs.Kang Seok-jin, the agency's president, stated, "This achievement reflects global investors' high regard for the agency's fundamentals and the growth potential of Korean small and medium enterprises. We will continue to diversify our funding sources to secure quality capital in a timely manner and serve as a strong support for small and medium enterprises in overcoming crises and achieving innovative growth."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-19 08:44:00
  • Shinhan Investment Adjusts BHIC Target Price Amid Expanding Orders and Improved Performance
    Shinhan Investment Adjusts BHIC Target Price Amid Expanding Orders and Improved Performance Shinhan Investment Corp. raised its target price for BHIC from 100,000 won to 110,000 won on August 19, reflecting expectations for expanded order regions, conversion of a robust order backlog into revenue, and an increased share of high-margin projects. The investment opinion remains a 'buy.'Han Seung-hoon, a researcher at Shinhan Investment, stated, "We have revised our annual operating profit estimates upward, considering the conversion of a substantial order backlog into revenue, the increased share of high-margin projects, cost improvements, and the effects of operating leverage." He noted that the operating profit estimates for 2026 and 2027 have been raised by 27.1% and 23.5%, respectively.In the second quarter, BHIC's performance exceeded market expectations. The company reported second-quarter revenue of 296.3 billion won, a 75% increase compared to the same period last year, while operating profit surged 123.1% to 45.5 billion won, surpassing market consensus of 247.8 billion won and 29.7 billion won, respectively.Han added, "With continued recognition of orders from the Middle East, sales of heat recovery steam generators (HRSG) increased by 80.7% to 186.7 billion won, and revenue recognition from the Philippines' circulating fluidized bed boiler and major auxiliary equipment for Shinhanul Units 3 and 4 also continued." He noted that the operating profit margin was 15.4%, reflecting the impact of high-margin projects and cost improvements.Looking ahead, the expansion of order regions is expected to serve as a momentum for the stock price. He stated, "Currently, HRSG orders are concentrated in Asia and the Middle East, while nuclear power plant BOP orders are focused on large domestic nuclear plants. If the order pipeline expands to Europe and North America in the future, it will be crucial for a re-rating of the stock price."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-19 08:44:00
  • SK Telecom Joins Everyones AI Project to Showcase Full-Stack AI Capabilities
    SK Telecom Joins 'Everyone's AI' Project to Showcase Full-Stack AI Capabilities SK Telecom announced on August 19 that it will participate in the 'Everyone's AI' project, initiated by the Ministry of Science and ICT and the Korea Information and Communication Industry Association.SK Telecom plans to consolidate its full-stack capabilities, which include AI models, infrastructure, and services, for this initiative. The company currently operates the AI service 'A.' with 10 million monthly users and has recently introduced its own AI model 'A.X K2,' which features 688 billion parameters, as part of the government's 'Independent AI Foundation Model' project. The A.X K2 model is being applied across various industries, including manufacturing, defense, and biotechnology.Last month, SK Telecom established 'SK Hyper,' a dedicated AI data center business, and announced plans to gradually open a 5-gigawatt AI data center by 2029. The company is also leveraging its telecommunications capabilities, with 22,498,579 mobile lines (excluding IoT and MVNO) as of June 2026, to rapidly expand its AI services through both online and offline channels.Based on these capabilities, SK Telecom will first launch an AI chatbot that supports conversation, search and summarization, document and image analysis, and schedule management. The aim is to start with a familiar format for users to lower the barriers to access.SK Telecom plans to evolve the chatbot into an AI agent that can handle actual tasks beyond simple Q&A. The goal is to support public service inquiries and applications, as well as reservations and payments in various sectors such as healthcare, transportation, finance, and education. To achieve this, the company will apply its AI model 'A.X K2' to ensure that simple questions are answered quickly with a lightweight model, while complex tasks are handled accurately with a high-performance model, thereby enhancing service quality and operational efficiency.To provide AI services that encompass all aspects of daily life, SK Telecom has formed the Everyone's AI consortium, which includes partners such as Rainer (specialized search), Shinhan Card and Hana Card (finance and payments), Tmap Mobility (mobility), SK Broadband (content), Persona AI (public data), Ellice Group (education), Goodoc and Soundable Health (healthcare), Nota and SelectStar (AI models and infrastructure), and Aim Intelligence (AI security).SK Telecom aims to integrate AI with services across various fields, moving beyond mere information provision to execute and resolve user requests such as reservations and applications.Kim Ji-hoon, head of SK Telecom's AI Business Division, stated, "It is essential to create an environment where everyone can benefit from AI to prevent disparities in AI utilization from leading to social inequalities. SK Telecom will strive to implement the 'Everyone's AI' service that is easily accessible to all citizens, leveraging our full-stack AI capabilities and nationwide telecommunications customer touchpoints."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-19 08:40:20
  • Korean Air Launches Incheon-Melbourne Route with Three Weekly Flights
    Korean Air Launches Incheon-Melbourne Route with Three Weekly Flights Korean Air announced on August 19 that it will begin operating flights on the Incheon-Melbourne route from December 18 until March 14 of next year.The Incheon-Melbourne route has been established to meet the growing demand for air travel to Australia during the peak season. Korean Air plans to operate three flights a week (Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays) to enhance travel convenience for customers.The route will utilize Boeing 787-9 aircraft. Flights will depart from Incheon International Airport at 8 a.m. and arrive at Melbourne International Airport at 8:30 p.m. local time. Return flights will leave Melbourne International Airport at 10 p.m. the same day, arriving at Incheon International Airport at 7:35 a.m. the following day.Korean Air aims to strengthen its competitiveness on routes to Oceania with the launch of the Melbourne service. Melbourne, home to approximately 5.3 million residents, is Australia's largest metropolitan area, boasting a rich cultural, artistic, and culinary scene, as well as robust business, sports, and educational infrastructure. Domestic travel demand to Melbourne has been steadily increasing.A Korean Air official stated, "We will continue to analyze customer demand closely and respond flexibly to market changes, while expanding our route offerings to enhance customer convenience and network competitiveness."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-19 08:40:00
  • Jennie to Make Comeback with New EP at the End of August
    Jennie to Make Comeback with New EP at the End of August 가수 제니(JENNIE)가 8월 말 새 앨범으로 돌아온다. 19일 소속사 OA엔터테인먼트(ODDATELIER)는 "제니가 8월 말 새로운 EP 발표를 목표로 컴백 준비에 박차를 가하고 있다"고 밝혔다. 제니는 올해 미국 뉴욕 ‘더 거버너스 볼 뮤직 페스티벌’(The Governors Ball Music Festival), 덴마크 ‘로스킬데 페스티벌’(Roskilde Festival), 폴란드 ‘오프너 페스티벌’(Open’er Festival), 스페인 ‘2026 매드 쿨 페스티벌’(2026 MAD COOL FESTIVAL), 일본 ‘서머 소닉 2026’(SUMMER SONIC 2026) 등 총 7개의 대형 글로벌 페스티벌 헤드라이너로 출격했다. 앞서 제니는 페스티벌 일부 무대에서 ‘레스 댄 어 러버(Less than a Lover)’를 포함해 ‘폴른 엔젤(FALLEN ANGEL)’, ‘락잇다운(lockitdown)’ 등 미공개 신곡을 조금씩 공개하며 신보에 대한 기대감을 높여왔다. 다양한 미공개 신곡들로 페스티벌 현장을 뜨겁게 달군 가운데 8월 말 컴백을 예고해 어떤 곡들이 새 EP에 담길지 궁금증이 높아지고 있다. ‘레스 댄 어 러버’는 발표 직후 QQ뮤직에서 올해 발표된 여자 솔로 싱글 가운데 유일하게 골드 인증을 획득했고, Mnet ‘엠카운트다운’에서 2주 연속 1위를 차지하는 등 솔로 아티스트로서의 행보를 이어가고 있다. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-19 08:36:20