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  • Nvidia Provides $105 Billion Guarantee for OpenAI Data Center Financing
    Nvidia Provides $105 Billion Guarantee for OpenAI Data Center Financing Nvidia, the world's leading AI semiconductor company, has agreed to provide nearly 105 billion dollars in financial guarantees for the construction of an OpenAI data center.According to Reuters and other sources, Nvidia will invest up to 105 billion dollars (approximately 150 trillion won) to guarantee the rent and electricity payments for the OpenAI data center being built in Pike County, Ohio.Nvidia will also invest 1.5 billion dollars in SB Energy, a subsidiary of Japan's SoftBank, which is responsible for the actual construction of the data center. This means that SoftBank Group and OpenAI will also participate as joint shareholders in the project.Once completed, OpenAI is set to lease the data center for 20 years. The total computing capacity of the facility will be 8 gigawatts (GW), enough to supply power to approximately 6 million households in the U.S.Nvidia will initially provide funding of 105 billion dollars for 4.25 GW of the total capacity, with the possibility of expanding support for the remaining capacity.This agreement marks a significant step for Nvidia, moving beyond just selling GPUs to also funding the construction of data centers that will utilize its GPUs.However, some critics have raised concerns that the structure resembles 'circular financing,' where funds guaranteed by Nvidia would enable OpenAI to purchase Nvidia's AI chips. Recently, Nvidia announced plans to establish a 500 billion dollar AI infrastructure financing platform in partnership with major Wall Street financial firms, heightening worries about 'circular financing.'In response, Jensen Huang, Nvidia's CEO, dismissed these concerns, stating that the agreement is not 'circular financing.' In a post on the company's website, he explained, "We are securing infrastructure that can be used long-term to meet Nvidia's AI computing demand, allowing OpenAI to upgrade the data center with new generations of chips for better performance and cost efficiency." Huang projected that the data center will operate 1.5 million graphics processing units (GPUs), enabling Nvidia to generate 600 billion dollars in revenue from OpenAI by 2030.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-18 11:00:00
  • Ruling Party: President Yoon to Announce Special Prosecutor for Election Commission Today
    Ruling Party: President Yoon to Announce Special Prosecutor for Election Commission Today The Democratic Party announced on August 18 that "President Yoon will announce the appointment of a special prosecutor for the Election Commission today." The party also urged the People Power Party to "immediately cooperate with the recount." Lee Joo-hee, the party's floor spokesperson, made the remarks after a meeting of the party's floor strategy committee at the National Assembly. She stated, "On August 14, the National Recommendation Committee recommended two candidates for the special prosecutor position." She added, "Once the president announces the special prosecutor, the office will officially launch and begin its activities." Lee also noted, "The schedule for the recount by the National Assembly's special investigation committee is facing difficulties. A tentative agreement was reached on June 30 for the recount to take place today, but it ultimately fell through." She emphasized, "The investigative procedures conducted by the National Assembly and those carried out by law enforcement agencies are fundamentally different. The nature, roles, and methods of operation are clearly distinct. When we agreed to proceed with the recount, it was one thing, but now they are trying to delay it until after the special prosecutor is appointed." Lee expressed her regret over the People Power Party's obstruction, stating, "I urge the People Power Party to actively cooperate with the recount through the national investigation." Previously, the National Recommendation Committee unanimously decided to recommend Lee Tae-han, former head of the Criminal Division 4 at the Southern District Prosecutors' Office, and Lee Hyuk, a former prosecutor at the Seoul High Prosecutors' Office. President Yoon must appoint one of them.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-18 10:56:00
  • Debt Adjustment Process Simplified by Credit Recovery Commission
    Debt Adjustment Process Simplified by Credit Recovery Commission Starting August 31, individuals applying for debt adjustment through the Credit Recovery Commission will no longer need to submit separate documentation for financial assets such as deposits, insurance, and stocks.The Credit Recovery Commission, along with the Korea Credit Information Service and the Financial Settlement Agency, announced on August 18 that they signed a memorandum of understanding on August 14 to introduce financial mydata to enhance user convenience in debt adjustment.Under this agreement, beginning August 31, the Credit Recovery Commission will obtain consent from applicants to access their financial asset information—such as deposits, insurance, stocks, and funds—through financial mydata. This change aims to reduce the inconvenience of users having to obtain and submit relevant documents from financial institutions, while also improving the accuracy and efficiency of debt adjustment assessments.This marks the first instance of a service where an organization that is not a financial mydata provider can receive and utilize user information through an 'institutional pre-transmission' service.The Credit Recovery Commission will guide users through the financial mydata utilization process and use the verified asset information for debt adjustment assessments. The Korea Credit Information Service will be responsible for building a one-stop support platform and facilitating information transmission and integrated authentication. The Financial Settlement Agency will support the issuance of a dedicated certification for use during face-to-face consultations.As a result, elderly individuals and those in digitally vulnerable groups, who may find it difficult to access non-face-to-face financial services, will be able to obtain the dedicated certification at the Credit Recovery Commission's consultation centers to check their financial assets and apply for debt adjustment.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-18 10:56:00
  • Cultural Arts Programs for Seniors Launch Nationwide
    Cultural Arts Programs for Seniors Launch Nationwide The 'Senior Arts Enrichment: Youth Starts Now' program will be held nationwide from August to November, according to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Arts and Culture Education Agency.The Korea Arts and Culture Education Agency is expanding the program, which began as a pilot last year, to 60 facilities across the Seoul metropolitan area, Gangwon, Chungcheong, Jeolla, and Gyeongsang regions. The program will offer a variety of cultural arts education tailored to participants' interests and the conditions of each facility, including theater, crafts, artificial intelligence (AI), and art appreciation.Six types of cultural arts education programs will be available. These will take place in various facilities across the country, including senior welfare centers, lifelong learning centers, cultural foundations, libraries, cultural centers, and museums.Key programs include 'Time to Get to Know My Body,' which focuses on physical movement to enhance bodily awareness and promote a healthy lifestyle; 'Again, Youth Theater,' which reflects on past lives through theater; and 'Our Neighborhood Upcycling Workshop,' which fosters community engagement through craft.Other offerings include 'AI and Our Neighborhood,' where participants create stories about themselves and their communities using AI; 'One Artwork, One Step in Humanities,' which combines art appreciation with humanities experiences; and 'A Page of Art Encountered Today,' which involves visiting cultural spaces like galleries and museums to enjoy art.Im Jin-taek, head of the Korea Arts and Culture Education Agency, stated, "I hope the Senior Arts Enrichment program allows older adults to experience culture and arts close to their daily lives, enriching their post-retirement routines. We will continue to expand support for more older adults to participate in cultural arts education in their communities."Older adults aged 65 to 74 interested in participating can apply through the regional facilities. Detailed information about the programs and application methods can be found on the Korea Arts and Culture Education Agency's website and official social media channels.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-18 10:52:00
  • Shinhan Bank Expands Support for Ddaenggyeo Outstanding Merchants with Loans Up to 100 Million Won
    Shinhan Bank Expands Support for 'Ddaenggyeo' Outstanding Merchants with Loans Up to 100 Million Won Shinhan Bank is expanding its financial support for outstanding merchants using its delivery application, 'Ddaenggyeo.'On August 18, Shinhan Bank announced the launch of the 'Ddaenggyeo Outstanding Merchant Loan' to support stable business operations and growth for Ddaenggyeo merchants.This product is available to self-employed individuals who have been in business for more than six months and have an average monthly sales of over 10 million won in the previous six months. Merchants must designate their Ddaenggyeo settlement account and Shinhan Card merchant payment account with Shinhan Bank, and utilize at least one major delivery platform's settlement account with Shinhan Bank.The loan limit is up to 100 million won, determined based on the average monthly sales or average monthly Shinhan Card transaction amount over the previous six months. Borrowers can choose a loan term of one to three years.This product is characterized by utilizing sales and operational data accumulated through Ddaenggyeo for loan assessments. It broadens the scope for determining loan limits compared to the existing 'Ddaenggyeo Business Loan' and links various transaction information to reflect actual business performance in financial conditions.Loan repayments will utilize a Banking-as-a-Service (BaaS) based automatic repayment account service. When sales settlement funds are deposited into the account, the principal will be automatically repaid according to the agreed method.The alternative credit evaluation model has also been enhanced. Approximately 1,100 additional data points related to Ddaenggyeo, including participation in preventive services and small payment information, will be used alongside existing alternative data, totaling over 1,700 items for credit evaluation. Based on this, businesses with excellent evaluation results will have their internal credit ratings raised by one level.A Shinhan Bank official stated, 'We will continue to expand financial and non-financial support necessary for small business operations.'* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-18 10:52:00
  • President Lee Remembers Kim Dae-jung as a Great Teacher of Democracy
    President Lee Remembers Kim Dae-jung as a Great Teacher of Democracy 이재명 대통령이 18일 “김대중이라는 위대한 이정표를 항상 가슴에 품고 어떠한 시련을 마주하더라도 주저함 없이 나가겠다”고 밝혔다. 이 대통령의 이날 오전 국립서울현충원에서 열린 고(故) 김대중 전 대통령 서거 17주기 추모식 추도사에서 “군부독재의 가혹한 억압 앞에서도, 차디찬 감옥과 타국에서의 망명길에서도 오직 국민과 민주주의만을 생각하셨던 우리의 큰 스승”이라며 이같이 말했다. 추도사는 강훈식 대통령 비서실장이 대독했다. 이 대통령은 “대한민국이 처한 초유의 위기를 국민과 함께 극복하고 대한민국을 새로운 도약의 길로 이끄셨던 대통령님이 무척이나 그리운 요즘”이라고 운을 뗐다. 이어 급변하는 국제질서와 세계적인 산업 대전환, 경제적 불확실성과 양극화 등을 현재 대한민국이 마주한 도전으로 꼽았다. 그러면서 “시련이 거셀수록 절망 속에서도 희망의 길을 일궈낸 대통령님의 빛나는 혜안과 발자취를 되새긴다”고 강조했다. 김 전 대통령이 외환위기 극복 과정에서도 미래를 준비했다는 점도 부각했다. 이 대통령은 “국난에 처한 나라를 일으키는 중에도 전국에 초고속 정보통신망을 구축해 지식정보화 강국의 기틀을 만들었다”며 “‘지원하되 간섭하지 않는다’는 확고한 원칙으로 문화산업의 토양을 일구고 세계가 주목하는 K-컬처의 씨앗을 심었다”고 평가했다. 또한 “위기를 극복하는 동시에 미래를 준비한 대통령님의 혜안과 개척자 정신은 대한민국이 나아갈 방향을 알려주는 가장 뚜렷한 이정표”라고 말했다. 이 대통령은 김 전 대통령의 정신을 인공지능(AI)과 에너지 분야의 새로운 성장 전략으로 계승하겠다는 뜻을 밝혔다. 이 대통령은 “국민주권정부는 그 뜻을 이어받아 인공지능 혁명과 에너지 전환이라는 거대한 물결을 주도해 나갈 것”이라며 “초격차 기술 확보와 신산업 생태계 구축으로 성장의 엔진을 힘차게 돌리고, 글로벌 무대에서 누구도 함부로 넘볼 수 없는 ‘대체불가 대한민국’을 향해 거침없이 나가겠다”고 강조했다. 김 전 대통령의 복지 철학도 계승하겠다고 밝혔다. 이 대통령은 김 전 대통령이 국가 재정이 어려운 상황에서도 국민기초생활보장제도를 도입한 점을 언급하며 “‘복지는 시혜가 아니라 국민의 권리이자 생산적 투자’라고 선언했던 깊은 뜻을 되새기겠다”고 말했다. 이 대통령은 “양극화의 그늘을 걷어내고 모든 국민의 삶을 든든하게 받쳐주는 사회적 안전매트리스를 단단히 구축하겠다”며 “성장의 결실이 온 국민에게 골고루 돌아가도록 하는 것이 정부가 해야 할 일임을 한시도 잊지 않겠다”고 약속했다. 이 대통령은 “도약을 이끄는 성장과 온기를 나누는 포용을 두 축으로 삼아 국민 한 분, 한 분의 삶에 실질적인 변화를 만들어 내겠다”며 “말보다 실천으로, 구호보다 성과로 국정의 책임을 다하면서 국민의 일상을 든든히 지키고 나라의 미래를 열겠다”고 밝혔다. 아울러 “영원한 스승이신 김대중 대통령님, 하늘에서도 대한민국의 앞날과 우리 국민의 삶을 따뜻하게 보듬어 달라”고 말했다.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-18 10:48:00
  • Hugel Expands WELLAGE Brand Presence in the U.S. with 11,000 Visitors at LA Event
    Hugel Expands WELLAGE Brand Presence in the U.S. with 11,000 Visitors at LA Event Hugel's clinical cosmetic brand WELLAGE is accelerating its entry into the North American market by expanding its engagement with local consumers.Hugel announced that WELLAGE participated in the 'Olive Young Festa LA 2026' held at the Los Angeles Convention Center from August 14 to 16. During the event, approximately 11,000 visitors attended the WELLAGE booth.The 'Olive Young Festa LA 2026' is a large-scale K-beauty event that is part of the global K-culture festival 'KCON LA 2026.' As a partner brand of Olive Young, WELLAGE focused on promoting the moisture improvement effects of its flagship 'Real Hyaluronic Line' to local consumers.To intuitively convey its core value of deep hydration, WELLAGE operated an experiential booth with a 'Water Splash' concept. The booth featured dynamic water droplet imagery to emphasize the brand identity, allowing visitors to experience differentiated hydration solutions firsthand.Interactive programs included the hydration stepper game 'Boost Hydration!' and a product testing zone 'Marinate with WELLAGE.' The product testing zone showcased a variety of offerings centered around the Real Hyaluronic Line, including hyper polydeoxyribonucleotide (PDRN), hyper peptides, and hyper toning products.Ji Seung-wook, Vice President of Hugel's Business Division, stated, "Based on our proven product efficacy and brand competitiveness in Korea, we will continue to expand our engagement with North American consumers and actively promote WELLAGE's unique hydration solutions."Meanwhile, Hugel reported record earnings in the first half of the year, with sales of 254.5 billion won and an operating profit of 103.7 billion won, marking increases of 27.2% and 8.4%, respectively, compared to the same period last year.Notably, overseas sales accounted for 162.1 billion won, representing 63.7% of total sales. Sales of botulinum toxin abroad reached 108.5 billion won, a 70.9% increase from the previous year.Analysts predict that Hugel's annual sales will exceed 500 billion won this year. According to financial information provider FnGuide, Hugel's consensus for consolidated sales this year is projected at 538 billion won, a 26.6% increase from the previous year. The operating profit consensus for the same period is expected to be 219.3 billion won, a 9.2% increase year-on-year.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-18 10:44:00
  • Increase in Leverage Education Revenue; Financial Investment Education Institute to Utilize for Free Financial Education
    Increase in Leverage Education Revenue; Financial Investment Education Institute to Utilize for Free Financial Education The Financial Investment Education Institute reported a temporary increase in tuition revenue due to a surge in demand for single stock leverage pre-education in the first half of this year. The institute is continuing to invest in expanding its educational system and operational staff.On August 13, the institute released reference materials related to its educational operations, acknowledging, "It is true that tuition revenue has temporarily increased due to an unexpected surge in the number of students."The institute offers specialized training for professionals, mandatory education for investors, and free education for investors in both in-person and e-learning formats. However, it clarified that its accounting is separate from the association's, operating under a distinct 'training accounting' system without transferring funds between accounts."As an organization not aimed at generating profit, we have incurred an annual deficit of about 1 billion won over the past five years based on our financial statements," the institute explained.In addition to its paid educational programs, the institute conducts free financial education for youth, general investors, and financially underserved groups, resulting in overall deficits in its educational operations.The institute provides free financial education for youth in schools, investment, pension, and asset management education for the general public, as well as training for young people, including military personnel and university students, through both in-person and online formats.Last year, 7,900 people participated in 132 sessions of on-site education for the general public, while 20,600 students took part in 474 youth education sessions. Online, the institute provided 75 video materials, which garnered a total of 7.83 million views.Since the launch of single stock leverage pre-education in September 2020, the institute has continued to invest in and maintain systems and personnel for educational operations, leading to an operational deficit of over 1 billion won compared to revenue through 2025.With the recent surge in educational demand, the institute has expanded its educational system infrastructure, including database servers, web servers, and networks, to ensure smooth service delivery. It has also increased its educational staff and doubled the number of call center personnel.The institute emphasized, "Even if the number of students in leverage education decreases significantly in the future, we will need to continue investing in our current system resources and personnel for the coming years."As a result, the temporarily increased tuition revenue this year will be utilized for free educational programs, including financial education for school youth, training for young people and military personnel, and investment education for the general public.An institute official stated, "We plan to continue our efforts to protect investors through education and promote asset management, retirement preparation, and a healthy investment culture for all citizens."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-18 10:40:00
  • Baseball Fans Boost Concessions Sales Despite Summer Heat
    Baseball Fans Boost Concessions Sales Despite Summer Heat Despite the heat, baseball fans are not staying away from the games. As the popularity of professional baseball continues, the consumption of food and beverages at stadiums has significantly increased during the sweltering month of July. According to BC Card, concessions sales at major professional baseball stadiums, including Seoul's Jamsil Baseball Stadium and Suwon KT Wiz Park, saw a substantial rise compared to the previous year. At Jamsil Baseball Stadium, concessions and convenience store sales in July increased by 30.6% this year, compared to an 8.8% rise in 2025, using 2024 as a baseline. Even accounting for inflation, spending on food and drinks at the ballpark has rapidly expanded. Sales of food items prepared and sold directly at the stadium, such as pizza, chicken, hot dogs, and tteokbokki, showed remarkable growth. Revenue from these categories at Jamsil Baseball Stadium rose by 35.8% this year, following a 12.2% increase in 2025. A similar trend was observed at Suwon KT Wiz Park, home to the KBO League's leading team, the KT Wiz. According to the KT Wiz baseball team, concessions sales at Suwon KT Wiz Park surged by 101% in July last year compared to the previous year. This July, sales increased by 180% compared to 2024. The KT Wiz's strong performance has heightened fan expectations, leading to an increase in attendance and, consequently, higher food and beverage consumption at the stadium. Notably, food items that families can enjoy together accounted for the largest share of sales. In fact, family visitors made up 47.1% of the audience at Suwon KT Wiz Park. Kim Hee-jung, head of communications at BC Card, stated, "This shows that baseball is evolving from merely being a 'viewing sport' to a leisure and consumption culture. We will continue to focus on synergy activities that enhance the enjoyment of our customers through data analysis." * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-18 10:36:20
  • Lee Kang-in Officially Joins Atletico Madrid, Aiming for Titles
    Lee Kang-in Officially Joins Atletico Madrid, Aiming for Titles Lee Kang-in has officially joined Atletico Madrid after leaving Paris Saint-Germain, expressing his ambition to win titles in the upcoming season during a public signing ceremony in Madrid.On August 18, Lee stated, "I am very happy to join this great club. I want to help the team and lift the trophy. I came here with the ambition to win in every competition." He has signed a long-term contract that runs until June 2031.Lee made his unofficial debut in front of domestic fans on August 9 during a friendly match against Manchester City at Seoul World Cup Stadium. He then traveled to Spain for his official signing event ahead of the new season.Having developed in Valencia's youth system and played for Valencia and Mallorca, Lee returns to La Liga after three years. He expressed a strong desire to return to Spain, saying, "I thought countless times about playing in Spain again. It is where I grew up, and I was eager to return to La Liga."His decision to join Atletico Madrid was influenced by a thirst for victory and the persuasion of captain Koke. Lee explained, "I have lived in Spain since I was young, so I know how great this club is. From the moment I received the club's contact, I wanted to join to win titles. Koke was one of the biggest reasons I decided to sign with the club. He reached out to me directly, which helped in making my decision."Lee added, "Koke is a legend of the club who has played for Atletico Madrid for over ten years. I learn a lot from him every day. I want to help the team for the fans, just like Koke does."He also shared positive feedback about training with head coach Diego Simeone, saying, "What I felt differently compared to my previous teams is the coach's incredible passion. The training intensity was very high, but I genuinely enjoyed it because of the team's unique atmosphere. I am happy to be with the coach."Lee will wear the No. 7 jersey, previously held by Antoine Griezmann, the club's all-time leading scorer and an iconic forward. Griezmann made 501 appearances for Atletico Madrid, scoring 212 goals and providing 100 assists.Regarding the significance of the number, Lee remarked, "The No. 7 is a special number worn by many legends in this team," but emphasized, "I will focus on helping the team every day rather than the jersey number. I will do my best in that role until the last day I wear this uniform."Lee is set to make his official debut on August 20 at 4 a.m. local time against promoted Malaga in the opening match of the 2026-2027 La Liga season at the Estadio Cívitas Metropolitano.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-18 10:36:00