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Kyobo Securities: Dalba Global Achieves Record Q2 Performance Amid Strong Growth in North America and Europe Kyobo Securities reported on August 14 that Dalba Global achieved its highest-ever quarterly performance in the second quarter, driven by strong overseas sales in North America, Europe, and Greater China. The firm maintained its target stock price at 310,000 won and its investment rating at 'Buy.'Kwon Woo-jung, a researcher at Kyobo Securities, noted, "Despite temporary shortages of sunscreen containers and the impact of the war, the company recorded solid results that exceeded market expectations." He added that the increase in the proportion of business-to-business (B2B) transactions and operating profit margins in North America, Europe, and Greater China is also a positive sign.Dalba Global's consolidated revenue for the second quarter reached 186.9 billion won, a 46% increase compared to the same period last year, while operating profit rose 62% to 47.2 billion won. The operating profit exceeded market forecasts by 16%, marking a record high. The results also included a customs refund effect of approximately 2 billion won.However, due to rapidly rising market expectations ahead of the earnings announcement, the stock price fell by about 10% the previous day despite the strong performance.Overseas sales surged 74% year-on-year to 141.5 billion won, with North American sales skyrocketing by 174% to 34.8 billion won. This growth was fueled by the effects of Amazon Prime Day and increased supply to U.S. cosmetics distributors Ulta Beauty and Costco.Looking ahead to the third quarter, Kwon expects continued growth in North American sales compared to the previous quarter. He stated, "The rapid growth of TikTok Shop, the expansion of offline sales networks, and the diversification of key product lines will support this growth," adding that Europe is seeing the most active expansion of key products and offline sales networks in the global market.Sales in Greater China reached 9.8 billion won, a 69% increase from the previous year. Kwon noted that sales on Tmall performed well during China's largest online shopping event, the '618 Festival,' and with the establishment of a Chinese subsidiary in the second quarter, both online and offline sales are expected to expand in the latter half of the year.Meanwhile, domestic sales fell 4% year-on-year to 45.3 billion won, affected by the seasonal off-peak period and the shortage of sunscreen containers.Kwon concluded, "Solid sales growth continues in North America, Europe, and Greater China," and he anticipates that simultaneous expansion of offline channels and key products in the U.S. will enable growth compared to the previous quarter, despite the absence of major events in the third quarter.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-14 08:20:00 -
NH Investment & Securities: LG Expected to Increase Shareholder Returns with Target Price of 135,000 Won NH Investment & Securities stated that LG is expected to expand its long-term shareholder returns based on its net cash and stable operating income. The firm maintained a 'buy' rating and a target price of 135,000 won.Lee Seung-young, a researcher at NH Investment & Securities, noted, "With 1.2 trillion won in net cash and stable annual operating income of around 900 billion won as of the second quarter, we anticipate an increase in long-term shareholder returns and investments in new businesses." Currently, LG's stock price is trading at a 45.3% discount to its net asset value (NAV).This year, LG's standalone operating income is projected to reach 899.4 billion won, reflecting a 1.6% increase compared to the previous year, indicating a similar level to last year. The researcher suggested that some of the funds secured from the sale of the Gwanghwamun building will be utilized for shareholder returns, noting that LG retired 2.0% of its treasury shares in May.LG's second-quarter results also exceeded market expectations. The company reported sales of 2.1396 trillion won, a 19.0% increase year-on-year, while operating profit surged 92.5% to 533.0 billion won. Equity method gains rose by 274.7% to 348.1 billion won, driven by increased net profits from major affiliates such as LG Chem and LG Electronics.Lee added, "We expect the recovery of affiliate performance to continue in the second half, leading to improved annual equity method gains." However, the operating profit of LG CNS, a consolidated subsidiary, decreased by 9.2% year-on-year to 127.9 billion won due to delays in some project contracts and increased investments to secure future growth drivers.Investment in new businesses is also expected to continue. The LG AI Research Institute recently unveiled 'K-EXAONE 2.0,' expanding its parameter scale from 236 billion to 750 billion. The results of the second phase evaluation of its proprietary AI foundational model are set to be announced later this month.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-14 08:16:00
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Stigma Effect Larger Than Expected as Designated Stocks Plunge Up to 28% Stocks designated as management items experienced significant declines on August 13, following the designation of 36 companies, including penny stocks and those with insufficient market capitalization, under stricter delisting criteria.Among the 27 KOSDAQ-listed companies designated as management items, 23 saw their stock prices drop compared to the previous day, with an average decline of 8.1%. Concerns over potential delisting have rapidly dampened investor sentiment. Nine companies in the KOSPI market have already had their trading suspended.The largest drop was recorded by Noeul, whose stock price fell 28.51% from 656 won on August 12 to 469 won. E8 also saw a decline of 21.95%, dropping from 706 won to 551 won. SDN's stock plummeted 19.91%, from 693 won to 555 won. Other companies, including Woori Enterprise (-18.87%), East Aid (-14.67%), and Shaferon (-14.66%), also recorded double-digit declines.In response to their designation as management items, these companies are taking various measures to avoid delisting, with stock consolidation being a common strategy. Of the 36 companies designated, 20 have decided to implement or have already executed stock consolidations.Additionally, more companies are expected to pursue legal action. Some have reportedly filed injunctions related to their designation as management items.Major ReportsOn August 13, the government announced follow-up measures for the real estate sector. This plan includes comprehensive support for expanding housing construction in both public and private sectors, along with practical financial support such as easing project financing regulations.New sites for development, including greenbelt areas, have been added. Following the announcement of new sites on January 29 (Yongsan, Gwacheon, and Taereung), additional sites in Gangseo, Namyangju, and Gwangju were also announced.The government plans to reduce the time from the announcement of public land to construction from the previous 68 months to 37 months.Support for the private sector is also included, with eased regulations on relocation loans for maintenance projects and adjustments to redevelopment project consent rate requirements (from 75% to 70%) as proposed by Seoul. Additionally, there will be a temporary suspension of capital ratio regulations for project financing in residential real estate.The most notable aspect of this plan is its comprehensive support for both public and private sectors, unlike previous supply measures. Over the past decade (2016-2025), private sector construction has accounted for 80% of the total volume in the metropolitan area, highlighting its significance.However, delays in appointing the president of the Korea Land and Housing Corporation (LH) and the impact of the Middle East conflict may hinder the achievement of the 2026 target of 269,000 housing units. Nonetheless, it will be important to monitor whether the cumulative construction target of 1.35 million units by 2030 can be met through policy adjustments.Key Announcements After Market Close (August 13)Namkwang Construction changes its leadership structure to Lee Dong-cheol and Shin Seung-cheol as co-CEOs.Ensitron announces a 6 billion won third-party allocation capital increase to Cactus PE.Hyundai Elevator declares a cash dividend of 1,000 won per share.Manho Steel announces a plan to enhance corporate value.Bitouen decides to consolidate shares from 100 won to 500 won.Parataxis Ethereum decides to consolidate shares from 100 won to 200 won.Fund Trends (as of August 12, excluding ETFs)Domestic equity funds: -2.9 billion wonOverseas equity funds: 7.4 billion wonKey Schedule for Today (August 14)Eurozone: GDP growth rate (Q2)United States: Retail sales (July), Consumer sentiment index (August)* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-14 08:12:20
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Trump Opens Door for Foreign Shipbuilders to Construct U.S. Navy Vessels President Donald Trump has paved the way for foreign shipbuilders that invest in U.S. shipyards to construct up to two U.S. Navy vessels in their home countries. This initiative expands the so-called 'Finnish model,' which allows initial production abroad before shifting subsequent manufacturing to the United States, to the construction of U.S. Navy ships. Among domestic companies, Hanwha, which owns the Philadelphia shipyard, is seen as the most likely to benefit directly from this move. However, it does not mean that U.S. Navy vessels can be built immediately in South Korea. Each project will still require approval from the U.S. government and notification to Congress. First Two Vessels Built Abroad... Subsequent Ships in the U.S. According to the White House on August 13, Trump signed a memorandum aimed at rebuilding the U.S. Navy and shipbuilding industry, directing the Department of Defense to develop a plan utilizing the Finnish model for acquiring new naval vessels. The initiative targets foreign shipbuilders that either construct new shipyards in the U.S., own existing shipyards, or hold more than a 50% stake in U.S. shipbuilding operations. These companies must employ and train American workers and ensure that shipbuilding technologies and methods used in their home countries can also be applied in U.S. shipyards. They are also required to establish a supply chain for shipbuilding and maintenance within the United States. In exchange, the initial two vessels can be constructed at the foreign shipyard, with subsequent ships required to be built in the U.S. The White House described this as a measure to expand the Finnish model, which was previously applied to the U.S. Coast Guard's medium icebreaker program, across the entire U.S. shipbuilding industry. The scope includes not only support vessels that supply fuel and supplies to warships but also surface combatants engaged in combat missions. Trump has instructed the Department of Defense to devise a plan within 90 days for acquiring surface combatants capable of attacking submarines or enemy vessels and protecting fleets and transport ships. Tankers that supply fuel and supplies to naval vessels at sea, as well as roll-on/roll-off (Ro-Ro) transport ships, are also included in this initiative. Generally, the U.S. restricts the construction of military vessels at foreign shipyards. However, exceptions can be made for national security reasons. This memorandum opens the door for such exceptions to be applied to actual U.S. Navy shipbuilding projects. The memorandum also limits excessive alterations to ship designs already validated by foreign shipbuilders, requiring approval from senior Department of Defense officials for any design changes to minimize cost increases and construction delays. Hanwha, Owner of Philadelphia Shipyard, a Strong Contender In South Korea, Hanwha is regarded as the company that most closely meets the conditions outlined in the memorandum. Hanwha Systems and Hanwha Ocean acquired the Philadelphia shipyard in 2024 with a $100 million investment. Hanwha already owns a shipyard in the U.S., aligning with the conditions set forth in the memorandum. Last year, Hanwha announced plans to invest an additional $5 billion in the Philadelphia shipyard, aiming to construct new docks and piers and expand production facilities to increase annual construction capacity to a maximum of 20 vessels in the long term. The company plans to broaden its business scope from liquefied natural gas (LNG) carriers and naval vessel blocks to include military shipbuilding. Hanwha has already entered the U.S. Navy-related market. In March, Hanwha Defense USA and the Philadelphia shipyard were selected as subcontractors for the U.S. Navy's next-generation logistics support ship (NGLS) program. Last month, they were also chosen for a project to build missile tracking vessels (MRIV) for the U.S. Missile Defense Agency (MDA) at the Philadelphia shipyard. Hanwha is also pursuing the acquisition of the U.S. operations of Australian shipbuilder Austal, which constructs vessels for the U.S. Navy and Coast Guard. If successful, this acquisition would further secure a foundation for military shipbuilding in the U.S. This initiative can also be seen as a move to concretize the shipbuilding cooperation agreed upon by South Korea and the U.S. last year. The joint fact sheet from the South Korea-U.S. summit included plans to expand investment in U.S. shipyards, workforce training, maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO), and supply chain cooperation, as well as to explore the possibility of constructing U.S. vessels in South Korea. However, additional procedures are necessary before U.S. Navy vessels can be built in South Korean shipyards. For each project, the Secretary of Defense must determine that overseas construction is necessary for national security, and contracts cannot be finalized until 30 days after notifying Congress. Congressional oversight also poses a variable. There are ongoing efforts in Congress to restrict the overseas construction of combat ships and certain support vessels. The White House has expressed opposition to these restrictions, arguing that they could hinder the strategy to rebuild the U.S. shipbuilding industry using foreign shipyards. 2026-08-14 08:12:10
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Bitcoin Rises Slightly to $63,400 Amid Stabilizing U.S. Interest Rates 미국 연방준비제도(Fed)의 추가 금리 인상에 대한 우려가 다소 줄어들자 비트코인 가격도 상승세를 나타내고 있다. 14일 글로벌 가상자산 시황 사이트 코인마켓캡에 따르면 비트코인은 이날 오전 8시 기준 전일 대비 0.15% 상승한 6만3459달러에 거래됐다. 최근 발표된 미국 7월 소비자물가지수(CPI)가 시장 예상에 부합하면서 연준의 금리 인상 가능성이 낮아진 점이 투자심리를 뒷받침한 것으로 풀이된다. 미국 7월 CPI는 전년 동월 대비 3.4% 올라 전월보다 상승폭이 둔화됐다. 변동성이 큰 식품과 에너지를 제외한 근원 CPI도 2.5%로 낮아졌다. 여기에 최근 고용지표 둔화까지 겹치면서 시장에서는 미국 연방준비제도(Fed·연준)의 9월 금리 인상에 대한 경계감이 다소 완화됐다. 금리가 오르지 않을 경우 시장의 유동성 부담이 줄어들면서 주식과 가상자산 등 위험자산으로 자금이 유입될 가능성이 커진다. 최근 미국 현물 비트코인 상장지수펀드(ETF)로 자금이 유입되는 흐름도 가격을 지지하는 요인으로 거론된다. 미국 비트코인 ETF는 최근 한 주간 약 10억 달러의 순유입을 기록하며 4월 이후 가장 강한 주간 유입세를 보였다. 다른 주요 알트코인도 가격이 상승하고 있다. 이더리움은 0.53% 오른 1886달러, 솔라나는 0.96% 상승한 76.18달러를 기록했다. 리플(XRP)은 0.47% 오른 1달러를 나타냈다. 한편 같은 시각 국내 원화 거래소 빗썸에서는 비트코인이 전일 대비 0.36% 하락한 8971만5000원(약 6만3170달러)에 거래됐다. 국내외 비트코인 가격 차이를 나타내는 이른바 '김치 프리미엄'은 -0.3% 수준을 나타냈다.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-14 08:12:00
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Government Plans to Start Construction on 1.5 Million Homes by End of Term Han Jun-kyung, the Chief Economic Officer at the Blue House, projected that approximately 1.5 million homes could begin construction during the term of the Lee Jae-myung administration. He emphasized the need to publicize plans to utilize Yongsan Park and surrounding return sites for public housing supply, which were excluded from the recent housing measures after much debate.On August 13, Han appeared on CBS Radio's 'Park Jae-hong's One-on-One Debate' and stated that when considering the September 7 measures from last year, the January 29 measures from this year, and the current supply measures, "we can expect to start construction on about 1.5 million homes by the end of the term."He explained that the current supply measures include over 230,000 homes, with approximately 100,000 of those being new sites. The government has disclosed specific locations for 27,000 of these homes.Han noted that discussions with relevant agencies regarding the remaining new sites are well underway, indicating that additional announcements could be made within the year. He mentioned that more than 120,000 homes could be constructed relatively quickly.He also proposed measures to shorten the project timeline. Previously, each administrative procedure would begin only after the previous one was completed, but he stated that procedures that do not need to be sequential will be conducted simultaneously.Additionally, he plans to reduce the lengthy review periods, cutting the approval timeline from over five years to about three years. A Rapid Supply Innovation Team, involving relevant ministries and local governments, will be established to address delays in approvals and resolve inter-agency disagreements.In the second phase of new towns, 28,000 homes are set to begin construction by 2030. The plan includes supplying 14,000 homes in 2026 and 2027, with an average of over 3,000 homes to be sold annually during the remainder of the current administration.The construction target for the third phase of new towns has been expanded from 177,000 to 195,000 homes by 2030, a more than 10% increase. Han stated that 17,000 homes will be supplied in 2026 and 2027, with plans to sell over 10,000 homes annually starting in 2028.Han also mentioned specific construction timelines for major sites in Seoul. He projected that construction on the Taereung Country Club site could begin in September 2029, ahead of the original 2030 timeline. The horse racing track site is expected to start by the end of 2029, while approximately 3,000 homes in the previously announced Gangseo-gu military site are set to begin construction next year.He raised concerns about the utilization of Yongsan Park, noting that while the area is large, it has few users. He highlighted that cleaning up soil contamination will require billions of won, and the responsibility for these costs has not been clearly defined. He suggested that it is necessary to discuss whether it is appropriate to leave the site vacant.Han explained that areas returned from the U.S. military, where low-rise residences and offices are located, could be developed relatively quickly. Instead of selling these sites to private entities, the government could consider developing them into public housing for young people.Regarding Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon's opposition to housing supply in Yongsan Park, Han stated that relevant departments are closely coordinating with the city to resolve any disagreements.Han emphasized that the success of real estate policies should be judged by whether they alleviate the public's anxiety and burden regarding housing issues. He clarified that rather than setting a specific housing price as a policy goal, the fundamental direction of the policy should be to shift funds and social resources concentrated in real estate to more productive areas.In response to concerns that recent tax reforms could destabilize the high-end rental market, he assured that the government will closely monitor market conditions and seek solutions. He characterized property taxes as compensation for the increase in housing value due to public infrastructure and services, stressing the need to enhance tax equity between real estate income and labor income.Han concluded that it is inappropriate to set market prices as a policy goal, stating, "While we do monitor whether prices are at a reasonable level compared to income, ultimately, the important thing is to allow people to live without being overly concerned about real estate."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-14 08:00:00
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Military Service Exemptions for Defectors and Naturalized Citizens Under Review Hong So-young, head of the Military Manpower Administration, has indicated the need to comprehensively review the military service exemption system for North Korean defectors and naturalized citizens in response to a decline in military resources.In a recent interview with Yonhap News, Hong described the current exemption policies for defectors and naturalized citizens as "previous policies" and emphasized the necessity for redesign.The key change proposed is to move away from uniform exemptions and instead assess individual circumstances to determine the level of exemption.Hong stated that the criteria for military service exemptions would consider various factors, including the individual's growth background, settlement conditions, adaptability to military service, and equity in military obligations.The Military Manpower Administration has commissioned the Korea Institute for Defense Analysis (KIDA) to conduct research for specific improvements to the system. Hong anticipates that concrete proposals for the exemption system could emerge next year, following the completion of the research.This review comes amid a significant decrease in active military personnel. Hong characterized the population decline as a "unprecedented national crisis" and stressed the need for a fundamental overhaul of the military system, including the supplementary service framework.Additionally, the Military Manpower Administration is considering reducing the overall size of the supplementary service. While maintaining a minimum number of personnel in essential public sectors like public health, it is reviewing substantial cuts in civilian supplementary roles, such as those in the arts and sports.The proposal to reassess the exemption criteria for defectors and naturalized citizens has sparked a range of reactions online, from criticism of the system itself to questioning Hong's qualifications as head of the agency.Some users expressed skepticism, asking, "Are we replacing the insufficient active military personnel with defectors or naturalized citizens?" Others noted that many male defectors have already completed military service in North Korea, questioning their willingness to serve in South Korea.Concerns were also raised about Hong's qualifications, with comments like, "Why is a non-expert leading the Military Manpower Administration?" and "Is it appropriate for someone without the minimum qualifications to hold this position?"There were also remarks regarding the gender of the head of the agency, with some suggesting it was inappropriate for a woman to lead the Military Manpower Administration.Some comments drew connections to other government policies, criticizing the administration's handling of youth and housing issues, with remarks like, "Some are giving away old buses as homes," and expressing frustration with the current state of governance.Meanwhile, Hong clarified that the introduction of a women's draft system is not currently under consideration, stating that it requires careful evaluation, taking into account public consensus and improvements in military service conditions. 2026-08-14 08:00:00
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White House flags Korea in China tariff-evasion network SEOUL, August 14 (AJP) -The White House has placed South Korea in the top tier of countries exposed to potential Chinese tariff evasion, singling out Gyeonggi Province's semiconductor belt as a possible conduit for China-linked chips as Washington prepares an artificial intelligence-powered crackdown on what it calls a global "shadow transshipment network." A report released by the White House Office of Trade and Manufacturing Policy identifies more than 40 countries and jurisdictions where Chinese-origin goods could be routed, processed or relabeled before entering the United States under a different country of origin. South Korea was grouped with Canada, the European Union, India, Israel, Japan, Mexico and Taiwan in Tier 1, which the White House calls "Diversified Scale Leaders." The designation does not mean the White House found that South Korean companies were illegally transshipping Chinese goods. Rather, Tier 1 covers large economies with significant volumes of China-linked trade, diversified industrial bases and major export platforms serving the U.S., where the report says potential transshipment risk is mixed into much larger legitimate trade flows. The report acknowledges that the shift in U.S. sourcing away from China since tariffs were imposed does not establish that the displaced trade was illegally rerouted. Some reflects legitimate changes in production, investment and sourcing, it said. For Korea, however, the report goes further than simply placing the country in a broad risk category. It specifically identifies Gyeonggi's semiconductor belt - home to memory powers Samsung Electronics and SK hynix and their component suppliers - as a potential route for integrated circuits classified under HS 854239, arguing that China-linked goods moving through the Korean chip hub could put U.S. semiconductor production in Phoenix, Austin, Portland and San Jose under pressure. The White House labels such foreign and American manufacturing corridors "Ugly Sister Cities," arguing that increased production or routing activity at overseas transshipment-risk hubs can translate into lost orders, lower factory utilization and employment pressure in corresponding U.S. industrial centers. The pairings are based on product-level trade categories identified as having significant China-linked rerouting risk and matched against U.S. manufacturing regions producing the same or similar products. They are presented as potential exposure channels rather than case-specific findings of customs violations. The Korea reference could nevertheless add a new point of friction to trade relations between Seoul and Washington because semiconductors sit at the center of both countries' industrial strategies. The Trump administration argues that large differences between tariffs imposed on China and those applied to U.S. trading partners create an incentive to shift the apparent origin of Chinese goods. The report puts the average U.S. tariff on Chinese exports at close to 50 percent. Goods routed through Mexico or Canada and improperly made to appear eligible for tariff treatment under the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement could enter at zero or near-zero rates, while routes through South Korea, Japan, Vietnam or the EU would still face tariffs substantially below the Chinese rate, it said. The White House says the process can involve limited assembly, finishing, testing or component integration as well as repackaging, relabeling, re-invoicing and changes to shipping documentation. The enforcement challenge is determining when genuine manufacturing has occurred and when goods have merely passed through another jurisdiction to acquire a new declared origin. The Trump administration traces the expansion of such routing to the Section 301 tariffs imposed on China beginning in 2018. As China's direct share of U.S. imports declined, imports from the more than 40 jurisdictions identified as carrying elevated transshipment risk increased, according to the report. The White House calls that shift the "Great Reallocation," while acknowledging that legitimate supply-chain diversification also contributed to the change. Five government and private-sector analyses cited by the White House put annual transshipment or related trade-transfer exposure at between $40 billion and $303 billion. The Council of Economic Advisers estimated potential illegal transshipment at $34.2 billion to $89.6 billion, while supply-chain analytics firm Exiger produced a central estimate of about $75 billion. The Commerce Department calculated a broader $109 billion trade-transfer benchmark, while Altana's $303 billion figure represents what the report describes as a broad upper-bound exposure measure rather than a direct estimate of proven illegal shipments. The White House cautioned that the estimates are not directly comparable because they use different datasets and definitions. Under its central scenario of $75 billion in annual illegal transshipment, the report estimates that the resulting displacement of U.S. production could affect about 450,000 jobs, reduce annual GDP by between $113 billion and $150 billion and cut federal revenue by $19 billion to $26 billion. Those figures are model-based estimates, not observed job losses, and rely on assumptions about how additional imports affect production, employment and economic output. Washington plans to use AI to make those judgments at the border. The White House describes an emerging "Detective Border" system that would combine global shipping data, declared origins, routing histories, product classifications, ownership links and indicators of factory production capacity to flag suspicious trade flows. Algorithms would look for anomalies between declared origins and actual supply chains, while computer vision and machine-learning systems could analyze container markings, packaging and X-ray images. The aim is to distinguish legitimate foreign investment and nearshoring from goods that merely pass through a lower-tariff country before reaching the U.S. The report says flagged shipments could ultimately face interdiction, additional duties, penalties or exclusion from the U.S. market, pairing the AI system with tougher importer and ownership-disclosure requirements under Trump's June customs-enforcement order. AJP Takeaways South Korea was placed in the White House's Tier 1 group for potential China-linked tariff transshipment, alongside Japan, the EU, Canada, India, Mexico, Israel and Taiwan, although the report says the risk is embedded within extensive legitimate trade. Gyeonggi's semiconductor belt was singled out as a possible conduit for China-linked integrated circuits, with the White House linking the corridor to competing chip-production centers in Phoenix, Austin, Portland and San Jose. Washington plans an AI-powered "Detective Border" to examine origins and supply chains, raising the prospect of tougher scrutiny of Chinese components that undergo limited processing in Korea or other lower-tariff jurisdictions before being exported to the U.S. 2026-08-14 07:51:09 -
Trump Imposes Up to 100% Tariff on Imported Drones, 15% Cap for South Korean Products President Donald Trump has announced a maximum 100% tariff on imported drones and key components. Products from South Korea will have a tariff cap of 15%.According to the White House on September 13, Trump signed a proclamation imposing tariffs on drones and related parts under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act. This action follows a Department of Commerce investigation that found reliance on foreign drones poses a threat to U.S. national security.Drones exceeding a takeoff weight of 25 kg and those equipped with thermal imaging capabilities will be subject to a 100% tariff. Charging and waiting devices for these drones, along with certain key components, will also face the same tariff.Drones weighing 25 kg or less that do not have sensitive national security features, along with some parts, will incur a 25% tariff.The 100% tariff will take effect at 12:01 a.m. Eastern Time on September 3, while the 25% tariff will be implemented starting February 9, 2027.Exceptions will apply to products from South Korea, Japan, the European Union, Taiwan, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein. If key components and technology are produced in the U.S. or these countries, the final tariff rate will be capped at 15%. For products from the United Kingdom, the maximum rate will be 10 under the same conditions.The White House stated, "Drones are a core technology for modern warfare and U.S. military operations," adding that the measure aims to protect the U.S. drone and defense industries.While the proclamation does not explicitly mention China, it is interpreted as a move to reduce dependence on Chinese drones. The South Korean government also suggested strengthening supply chain cooperation with allied countries, noting in a submission to the U.S. Department of Commerce last year that "a few companies from specific countries dominate the drone market."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-14 07:48:00
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Actor Son Seung-won Receives Two-Year Sentence for Drunk Driving Actor Son Seung-won has received a heavier sentence in his second trial compared to the first.On August 13, the Seoul Western District Court's first criminal division, led by Judge Ban Jung-woo, overturned the one-year prison sentence from the first trial and imposed a two-year sentence for charges including drunk driving under the Road Traffic Act.The court stated, "He attempted to conceal evidence unfavorable to his girlfriend by hiding the black box SD card, indicating a serious nature of the crime."It added, "He also made a false statement claiming that the designated driver abandoned the car, and driving under the influence for approximately 7 kilometers, including 1 minute and 30 seconds of driving in the wrong direction on the Han River Boulevard, posed a significant public danger."The court noted, "Considering Son's previous drunk driving offenses, the one-year sentence from the first trial was too lenient given that he committed the crime again."However, the court acknowledged that he eventually admitted to his actions and that no traffic accident occurred. It also considered that he submitted the SD card after the evidence concealment was discovered as mitigating factors.Additionally, the court upheld the first trial's decision to suspend a fine of 1.5 million won for Son's girlfriend, Kim, who faced charges of evidence concealment, deeming the original judgment reasonable.Son was arrested in November of last year for driving in the wrong direction on the Han River Boulevard while heavily intoxicated for about two minutes. He was indicted in February of this year.At the time of his arrest, his blood alcohol concentration was more than double the level that would result in a license suspension (0.08% or higher).* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-14 07:44:00