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Original Beer Company launches first canned lagers through GS25 SEOUL, June 10 (AJP) - Original Beer Company, a South Korean craft brewer known for its champagne-style bottled beers, will launch its first canned products through GS25 convenience stores nationwide on June 11 as it seeks to expand beyond premium retail channels and reach a broader consumer base. According to the company Wednesday, the initial lineup consists of OBC Lager Helles and OBC Lager Vienna, priced at 13,000 won ($8.5) for a four-can bundle. The launch marks the brewery's first canned beer release since its founding in 2019 and represents a significant step in its retail expansion strategy. Until now, Original Beer Company has primarily sold its products through premium venues, including department stores, golf clubs and specialty retailers. "With the launch of OBC Lager canned beer, we hope to offer consumers a different kind of beer experience in a more accessible format," a company official said. Original Beer Company has gained recognition both at home and abroad. It became the first Korean brewery to win a top-category award at the 2022 World Beer Awards and later earned a gold medal at the 2024 European Beer Star, one of the brewing industry's most prestigious competitions. The company has also served as a sponsor of the Women's Tennis Association and La Liste, the international restaurant ranking guide. OBC Lager Helles contains 4.8 percent alcohol by volume and features a bright golden color with herbal and floral hop aromas alongside a clean finish. OBC Lager Vienna, brewed with Vienna malt and carrying 5.3 percent alcohol by volume, offers a richer malt profile with notes of toasted bread and a mild sweetness. The canned beers will also be available at the company's Samseong-dong flagship store in southern Seoul through in-store purchases as well as orders placed via Naver and KakaoTalk. To coincide with the launch, GS25's Wine25 Plus platform will begin selling a limited-edition OBC lager glass set from June 15 for 24,500 won. 2026-06-10 11:28:14 -
Korea's Finance Minister Plans to Use Increased Revenue for Future Investments Koo Yun-cheol, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance and Economy, stated on June 10 that increased revenue is expected in the future, and the government plans to utilize this enhanced fiscal capacity for investments aimed at future preparedness. During the Expanded Macroeconomic Finance Meeting held at the Government Seoul Building, Koo reviewed current issues in macroeconomics, finance, and risks in vulnerable sectors. This meeting marked the first attendance of the Bank of Korea's governor since the meeting's inception in April, allowing for a comprehensive examination of the macroeconomic and financial market conditions. The Ministry of Finance and Economy plans to operate these expanded meetings with increased participation from relevant agencies, considering the nature of the agenda and policy issues. Participants noted that the South Korean economy is currently performing well. In the first quarter of this year, nominal Gross Domestic Product (GDP) increased by 17.1% compared to the previous year, marking the highest growth since the third quarter of 1995, which saw a 19.2% increase. This growth is attributed to improved corporate performance driven by a semiconductor boom and rising exports. Additionally, exports surged by 53.2% year-on-year last month, contributing to an expanded current account surplus. According to the Bank of Korea's report on the balance of payments, the current account surplus reached $28.29 billion in April, maintaining a surplus of over $20 billion for three consecutive months. The meeting emphasized the need to invest the increased tax revenue, as favorable economic conditions suggest that future revenues are likely to rise. Koo remarked, "We must utilize the expanded fiscal capacity for investments aimed at enhancing potential growth rates and addressing issues such as polarization and the burden of living costs due to inflation." There was also a consensus on the necessity of fiscal structural reforms and expenditure restructuring to ensure efficient fiscal management. Lastly, the meeting addressed the increased burdens on vulnerable sectors due to heightened financial volatility. Participants expressed concerns that rising interest rates could exacerbate repayment burdens for low-income and low-credit borrowers, as well as small business owners. They also reviewed risks associated with rising exchange rates affecting small import and processing companies and the volatility in stock prices impacting leveraged investments. Participants agreed on the importance of strengthening cooperation among relevant agencies to stabilize the economy and manage risks. They emphasized the need for harmonious macroeconomic policies in the face of rapidly changing conditions and committed to enhancing collaboration on economic growth strategies for the second half of the year. 2026-06-10 11:24:00 -
Lotte Mart Expands Ultra-Low-Cost Private Brand Offerings As inflation persists, Lotte Mart is expanding its offerings of private brand (PB) products priced under 1,000 won. On June 10, Lotte Mart announced it will launch 'Today’s Good Bean Sprouts (380g)' for 980 won on June 11, followed by 'Today’s Good Soft Tofu (350g)' for 690 won on June 25. Lotte Mart claims that the bean sprouts are made from 100% mung bean without growth enhancers, ensuring competitive quality. The soft tofu is versatile, suitable for various dishes like stews and salads due to its smooth texture and rich flavor. Demand for ultra-low-cost PB products is increasing. From January 1 to June 8 this year, sales of Lotte Mart's PB products priced under 1,000 won rose by 18.3% compared to the same period last year. The number of such products is also rapidly increasing. The count of PB items under 1,000 won has doubled from 45 in 2024 to 90 as of June this year. Initially focused on fresh foods, beverages, and snacks, the range has now expanded to include household goods. For instance, in fresh foods, 'Today’s Good Soybean Sprouts (300g)' and 'Today’s Good Tofu (300g)' are each sold for 1,000 won. In beverages, strawberry, banana, and chocolate milk (200ml) are priced at 500 won each, while two types of sparkling drinks are available for 780 won each. The snack category includes 34 types of 1,000 won snacks, including Jet Corn. In household items, three-ply, 300-sheet tissues, pocket mini tissues, and wet wipes are all priced at 1,000 won, with the three-ply tissues costing half the price of leading brands. In addition to the ultra-low-cost products, Lotte Mart's value-oriented PB items in major food categories continue to perform well. An extra virgin olive oil (1L) launched in January is priced at about 999 won per 100ml, with cumulative sales reaching 290,000 bottles by June 8. A daily milk product (1L) launched in March is priced at 188 won per 100ml, competing effectively with imported UHT milk, surpassing 190,000 units sold. The 'Breath Whole Wheat Bread (400g)', released in April, utilizes patented probiotic fermentation technology from Lotte Central Research Institute, selling 220,000 units and becoming the top seller in the meal bread category. According to the National Data Agency's consumer price index report for May, the index rose to 119.92, a 3.1% increase from the same month last year. This marks the first time the consumer price inflation rate has exceeded 3% since March 2024 (3.1%). Monthly inflation rates remained stable at 2.0% in January and February but surged to 2.2% in March, 2.6% in April, and 3.1% in May following the outbreak of conflict in the Middle East. Choi Ah-reum, a product planner at Lotte Mart's Super Food PB Development Team, stated, "As inflation continues, more customers are seeking affordable food options. We will continue to expand our high-quality, reasonably priced ultra-value PB products to help ease the burden on customers' shopping carts."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-10 11:21:00 -
U.S.-Iran tensions and SpaceX debut weigh on Asia, drag KOSPI below 8,000 SEOUL, June 10 (AJP) - The volatile Seoul market gave ground Wednesday, surrendering part of the previous session's explosive gains as investors locked in profits while renewed military clashes between the United States and Iran rattled global markets. As of 10:33 a.m., the benchmark KOSPI was down 2.80 percent at 7,870.03, extending losses after slipping below the 8,000-point mark earlier in the session. The junior KOSDAQ edged up 0.27 percent to 970.38. The Korean won also weakened against the dollar, with the greenback trading at 1,522.70 won, up from the previous session's close of 1,512.1 won, as foreign selling accelerated ahead of SpaceX's highly anticipated Nasdaq debut on Friday. Technology shares led the decline after the Philadelphia Semiconductor Index fell nearly 2 percent overnight, with Samsung Electronics dropping 4.66 percent to 307,000 won and SK hynix sliding 4.09 percent to 2,124,500 won. Losses spread across major Samsung affiliates. Samsung Life Insurance fell 4.96 percent, SK Square lost 4.26 percent, Samsung C&T declined 4.08 percent, Samsung Electro-Mechanics dropped 2.23 percent and Samsung Electronics preferred shares slipped 2.06 percent. The weakness in chip stocks comes as investors increasingly question whether the memory-driven rally that propelled the KOSPI to record highs can be sustained amid mounting global uncertainties and a shift in capital toward new opportunities abroad. Elon Musk's SpaceX is set to begin trading on Nasdaq on Friday after attracting more than $250 billion in investor demand for what is expected to be the largest initial public offering in history. The company is seeking to raise about $75 billion at a valuation approaching $1.8 trillion. Market participants said some global funds may be raising cash ahead of the listing by trimming positions in some of this year's biggest winners, including semiconductor shares that have spearheaded gains in South Korea and other technology-heavy markets. Foreign investors have already sold 24.6 trillion won ($18 billion) worth of KOSPI shares during the first nine trading days of June after unloading 51.5 trillion won in May. The combined 76.1 trillion won selloff represents more than half of the 144.2 trillion won foreign investors have dumped from Korean equities so far this year. "Investors looking to participate in the SpaceX debut are likely to sell existing winners first," a Seoul-based brokerage official said on condition of anonymity. "Samsung Electronics and SK hynix have been among the market's biggest beneficiaries this year and naturally become sources of liquidity when global funds need cash." Not all sectors participated in the retreat. Shipbuilders, battery makers and automakers outperformed as investors rotated into industries perceived as less exposed to the semiconductor cycle. HD Hyundai Heavy Industries gained 3.59 percent, LG Energy Solution advanced 2.14 percent and Hyundai Motor rose 1.41 percent. Among KOSDAQ heavyweights, Jusung Engineering jumped 7.2 percent. Samchundang Pharm, EcoPro BM, Kolon TissueGene, EcoPro, Wonik IPS, HLB and Rainbow Robotics also posted gains. Reno Industrial was the lone decliner among the major names, falling 2.73 percent. The selloff followed another volatile session on Wall Street, where technology stocks swung sharply after reports that Iranian forces had downed a U.S. military helicopter and a major data-center project by Crusoe was halted. Investors were also awaiting the release of U.S. consumer inflation data for further clues on the Federal Reserve's interest-rate path. The Nasdaq Composite plunged more than 3 percent at one point before trimming losses as hopes emerged that Washington and Tehran could still avoid a broader conflict through negotiations. However, reports of fresh U.S. retaliatory strikes against Iranian targets surfaced before trading began in Seoul, reviving concerns about escalating hostilities in the Middle East and triggering another round of risk-off trading across Asia. The cautious mood was reflected across regional markets. Japan's Nikkei 225 fell 0.71 percent to 64,952.45, Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index slipped 0.71 percent to 24,392.48 and China's Shanghai Composite Index lost 0.62 percent to 3,985.12. 2026-06-10 11:16:51 -
LH Offers Free Consulting to Local Governments for Regional Vitality Town Projects The Korea Land and Housing Corporation (LH) announced on June 10 that it will provide free consulting services to local governments promoting Regional Vitality Town projects. The Regional Vitality Town initiative aims to improve living conditions in rural areas by integrating housing, infrastructure, and services. Its goal is to support stable settlement in local regions and enhance community vitality. This year, LH will offer consulting during the project planning and design phases to local governments interested in participating in the initiative. Eligible municipalities include those outside the metropolitan area and Jeju Special Self-Governing Province. With the shift from a competitive application process to voluntary applications starting this year, local governments can now select projects that align with their specific conditions and allocate budgets accordingly. To facilitate this, LH has established a dedicated team to ensure timely consulting aligned with each municipality's project preparation timeline. LH has also collaborated with the Land and Housing Research Institute (LHRI) to enhance the expertise of its consulting services. Consulting will occur during the conceptualization and planning stages of the Regional Vitality Town projects. LH will review municipal proposals focusing on project goals, plans, feasibility, demand, viability, governance, and effectiveness. Local governments seeking consulting must submit an application and project plan to LH representatives. After a preliminary review, LH will provide consulting results either in person or online. The Regional Vitality Town initiative is being promoted through inter-agency collaboration to improve living conditions and support settlement in rural areas. It aims to create living hubs that combine housing, infrastructure, and services, providing residential options and facilities comparable to those in metropolitan areas. A key feature of this initiative is that regions can autonomously select inter-agency projects tailored to their unique characteristics. Through collaboration with various ministries, including the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, and the Ministry of SMEs and Startups, the initiative can integrate services related to care, healthcare, culture, and transportation. Kang Oh-soon, head of LH's Regional Balance Headquarters, stated, "We plan to work closely with local governments to ensure that Regional Vitality Towns can become new growth hubs for their communities. In the future, LH will continue to strengthen its public role to help rural areas become vibrant and populated places." The Regional Vitality Town initiative was introduced in 2023, with ten locations selected in 2024, including Yeongwol in Gangwon Province, Boeun in Chungbuk Province, and Geumsan in Chungnam Province. Last year, ten more locations were chosen, including Taebaek in Gangwon Province and Jeungpyeong in Chungbuk Province, further expanding the project's foundation.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-10 11:15:00 -
Four Siblings Serve as Non-Commissioned Officers in Army, Navy, and Air Force In recognition of the Month of Patriotism and Veterans, a family of four siblings serving as non-commissioned officers in the Army, Navy, and Air Force has been highlighted. On June 10, the Army introduced the siblings: Sergeant Kim Mun-jeong (Army 5th Armored Brigade, Artillery), Sergeant Kim Mun-soo (Army 12th Division, Logistics), Sergeant Kim Tae-hee (Navy Air Command, Aviation), and Corporal Kim Jun-won (Air Force 3rd Training Wing, Communications). The twin sisters, Kim Mun-jeong and Kim Mun-soo, were inspired by their grandfather, a Vietnam War veteran, and both commissioned as non-commissioned officers in the same year. Sergeant Kim Mun-jeong serves as an administrative non-commissioned officer in the Army's 5th Armored Brigade, while Sergeant Kim Mun-soo works as a supply control non-commissioned officer in the 12th Division's support battalion. Choosing the Navy, Kim Tae-hee commissioned as a non-commissioned officer in 2022 and currently serves as an air traffic controller in the 622nd Air Squadron of the Navy Air Command. The youngest sibling, Corporal Kim Jun-won, developed his dream of becoming a soldier by observing his three older sisters. He commissioned as an Air Force non-commissioned officer in 2024 and is currently serving as a radio communication systems technician in the 3rd Training Wing. Corporal Kim stated, "Whenever I faced challenges or difficult moments, I received valuable advice from my older sisters, which helped me adapt to military life more quickly than others. I will continue to do my best in our family's mission to protect South Korea alongside my sisters." Sergeant Kim Mun-jeong remarked, "None of us expected all four siblings would wear military uniforms, but we take pride in being a source of pride for our parents as we serve to protect South Korea. Knowing that we are each serving our country brings our family immense happiness and pride."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-10 11:15:00 -
Upstage Appoints Lee Geon-soo as New Head to Lead AI Transformation Upstage's AI portal division, AXZ, has appointed Lee Geon-soo, former head of Naver's Glace CIC, as its new CEO. He is seen as the ideal candidate to lead the innovation of Daum's services, which are being revamped to incorporate AI agents. On June 10, Kim Sung-hoon, CEO of Upstage, announced on Facebook, "As Daum prepares to transform into an AI agent-based portal, we have brought in someone to lead this change. Lee Geon-soo, a top leader in platform and service in Korea, has joined us as the new head of Daum." Kim praised Lee as "an exceptional leader who excels at integrating technology into services to enhance user experience." He added, "Lee Geon-soo is the person who can make even impossible technologies feasible in services. With a background in development, he possesses a deep understanding of AI technology and the ability to execute services effectively." Although Lee majored in business administration, he began his career as a developer and joined Naver in 2007. He later oversaw the MYPLACE (reservation and ordering) business from 2015, leading it to become the industry leader. Notable achievements include the 'Receipt Review' service, which allows only actual visitors to write reviews, the 'AI Call' feature that automates restaurant reservation calls, a function that automatically registers business information using only a business registration certificate photo, and a QR-based table ordering service. Kim noted, "Every service that Lee has touched has experienced a quantum leap." Kim stated, "Daum's direction is to evolve from search to an AI agent portal that understands user intent and acts on their behalf. I am excited to open the first page of this journey with Lee Geon-soo." He added, "Daum aims to become a world-class AI agent portal, and Upstage will continue to ensure that everyone can benefit from AI." 2026-06-10 11:09:00 -
Samsung C&T Expands Fire Safety Technology in Raemian Complex Samsung C&T's construction division is implementing various fire safety technologies in the Raemian apartment complex to enhance fire prevention and safety management. The company aims to establish a comprehensive fire safety system that spans from construction sites to living spaces and to continuously advance related technologies. As apartment fires have become a significant social issue, the need for advanced fire safety technologies in residential facilities is growing. The increasing use of secondary batteries, such as those for electric bicycles and power tools, has heightened the necessity for dedicated management devices to reduce fire risks during charging. On June 10, Samsung C&T announced the development of a "smart charging station" equipped with self-extinguishing capabilities to mitigate fire risks associated with secondary battery usage. This technology has been applied at the Raemian Elabine Fire Zone 6 reconstruction site and was developed in collaboration with the Korea Fire Equipment Manufacturing Institute. Previously, secondary batteries for tools were charged in non-combustible storage units at construction sites. While these units were equipped with automatic diffusion extinguishers for initial response, they had limitations in fully extinguishing lithium-ion battery fires. The newly developed smart charging station contains an 8-liter capacity extinguishing agent confirmed to be effective against lithium-ion battery fires. It is equipped with three temperature sensors and two extinguishing agent discharge nozzles. In the event of a fire during charging, the system automatically detects the incident and releases the extinguishing agent. A cooling fan has also been integrated to reduce heat. Samsung C&T recognizes that the fire risks associated with secondary batteries extend beyond construction sites to everyday spaces, such as those involving electric bicycle batteries. Consequently, the company plans to install smart charging stations in common areas of new Raemian complexes to ensure residents can store and charge secondary batteries safely. The smart charging stations have been available for sale through the HomeNick app, a residential care platform operated by Samsung C&T, since May. The company is also enhancing fire response technologies for underground parking lots. In collaboration with Donghae Giyeon, a ventilation specialist, Samsung C&T is developing a high-performance smoke extraction system known as the "reversible heat fan." Traditional underground parking ventilation fans primarily served ventilation purposes, relying mainly on sprinklers for fire response. The reversible heat fan operates in a low airflow ventilation mode under normal conditions. When a fire occurs, it adjusts airflow and direction in real-time to expel smoke outside. In the event of an electric vehicle fire, it can forcefully expel toxic gases at maximum airflow and create an air barrier around the charging area, providing crucial time for resident evacuation and emergency response teams to enter. Fire prevention measures within individual units are also being introduced. Samsung C&T has collaborated with fire safety equipment specialist Paratech to develop a leak detection sprinkler. This sprinkler features a drainage outlet around the head cover, allowing for quick visual confirmation in case of leaks. This innovation enables early detection of sprinkler malfunctions and helps minimize water damage from equipment failures. Samsung C&T plans to implement this technology in new Raemian complexes gradually. Additionally, Samsung C&T has established a dedicated fire safety organization, the Fire Technology Group, within its housing development division. This group is composed of individuals with fire safety-related certifications and is responsible for establishing fire safety standards tailored to apartment construction sites and developing fire safety technologies. The organization is also focused on training fire safety managers and conducting site inspections to create a prevention-oriented safety management system that goes beyond mere legal compliance. A Samsung C&T representative stated, "We are continuously expanding our related organizations and technology development to ensure fire prevention at apartment construction sites and to create safe residential facilities post-occupancy. We aim to implement an integrated fire safety system that considers both site and living safety, providing a reassuring living environment for our customers."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-10 11:09:00 -
SK Telecom, NTT, and Chunghwa Telecom Establish $500 Million AI Investment Fund SK Telecom (SKT) is partnering with Japan's NTT and Taiwan's Chunghwa Telecom to establish a $500 million (approximately 760 billion won) artificial intelligence (AI) investment fund. On June 10, SKT held a press conference at NTT's headquarters in Otemachi, Tokyo, where it announced the joint creation of the 'IWON AI Fund' aimed at investing in next-generation AI technologies. The fund will total $500 million. Attending the press conference were SKT CEO Jeong Jae-hun, NTT CEO Akira Shimada, and Chunghwa Telecom President Lin Rong-tsu, among other key executives from the three companies. The three firms plan to establish a fund management company called 'Catalight Capital,' which will operate from Silicon Valley and East Asia to create a global fund management framework. The AI fund will invest in promising startups focusing on AI data center infrastructure, including power efficiency optimization and liquid cooling; AI semiconductors such as AI accelerators, graphics processing units (GPUs), and neural processing units (NPUs); AI service applications across various industries, including healthcare, manufacturing, and finance; AI software for cloud distributed systems and inference optimization; and optical communications that enhance data transmission performance and power efficiency. The fund will target innovative companies in North America, Asia, and Europe. Participating companies will support not only financial investments but also technology validation, service enhancement, and customer discovery to create new business models. The first round of investment recruitment is expected to conclude soon, with plans to officially launch the AI fund. NTT reported that around 20 global companies, including Sony and Toshiba, have expressed interest in participating. SK Hynix is also preparing to join the fund. SKT plans to continue its economic and technological collaboration with Japan in the fields of AI data centers, business-to-business (B2B), and business-to-consumer (B2C) services, starting with this fund. This initiative extends SKT's existing strategy of strengthening investments and global cooperation in the AI sector. In August 2023, SKT invested $100 million (approximately 130 billion won) in the U.S. AI company Anthropic, acquiring about 2% of its shares. NTT CEO Akira Shimada emphasized the importance of consolidating advanced technologies and partnerships worldwide to implement AI-native infrastructure, stating, "We will expand collaborations with promising startups to create a new industrial foundation." Chunghwa Telecom President Lin Rong-tsu remarked, "Leveraging our expertise in the telecommunications sector, we will support cross-border business development and accelerate the commercialization of advanced technologies alongside our key partners to build the next-generation AI ecosystem." CEO Jeong Jae-hun highlighted that SKT has not only made early investments in numerous global AI companies but has also been discovering and nurturing promising startups both domestically and internationally to build an AI ecosystem. He emphasized the commitment to expanding collaboration opportunities with innovative AI companies. 2026-06-10 11:03:00 -
Deputy Minister Moon: 'Five Extremes and Three Special Growth Engines' to Drive Regional Development 문신학 산업통상부 차관은 "5극 3특 성장엔진은 각 권역이 스스로 자립하고 성장할 수 있는 독자적인 산업 생태계를 중심으로 새 지역 성장의 길을 열기 위한 선택"이라며 "각 권역이 가장 잘할 수 있는 산업과 미래 가치가 높은 성장엔진을 정해 중앙·지방정부와 기업, 대학이 합심해 키워야 할 것"이라고 말했다. Deputy Minister Moon made these remarks during the 'Five Extremes and Three Special Growth Engines Forum' held at the Gwangju Artificial Intelligence Industry Convergence Business Center, attended by industry representatives from the Gwangju and Jeonnam regions. He noted that while South Korea has grown through unbalanced industrial policies, local businesses often find themselves at a standstill at the threshold of growth. He emphasized that the Five Extremes and Three Special Growth Engines are a choice to open new paths for regional growth centered on independent industrial ecosystems that allow each region to be self-sufficient and thrive. He stated, "The key to the success of these growth engines and regional development ultimately lies in corporate investment," adding that the government will closely monitor investment plans from relevant companies and ensure that these investments are realized. To support this, he highlighted a focus on seven types of support packages to actively nurture these growth engines. Additionally, he mentioned plans to provide bold and unprecedented incentives, including the establishment of special subsidies worth billions of won each year for large corporate investment projects. He explained that large R&D projects will be promoted for each growth engine to secure cutting-edge technologies centered on regions and to enrich the industry-academia-research ecosystem. Deputy Minister Moon also indicated that regulations hindering local investment activities will be aggressively addressed by designating 'mega-special zones' in each region. He expressed a commitment to strengthening a virtuous cycle ecosystem where local talent can grow within their regions by creating specialized colleges for growth engine brands. The forum was organized to gather opinions on the desired industries for growth engines in the Five Extremes and Three Special regions, discussing regional industrial conditions and growth potential. The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy plans to hold similar forums across the Five Extremes and Three Special regions, starting with Jeonnam, excluding the capital area. The government aims to promote large-scale investments by anchor companies in collaboration with local and central governments for each regional growth engine. This approach signifies a comprehensive mobilization of policy tools across seven support packages, including finance, human resources, infrastructure, and regulatory exceptions, centered on large-scale investment projects in the regions. The Ministry plans to select regional growth engines after consultations with each region and promptly announce the policy support packages. Deputy Minister Moon affirmed, "We will ensure that each of the Five Extremes and Three Special regions can build independent industrial ecosystems that are self-sufficient and competitive, and we will mobilize all policy tools to identify and nurture the growth engines that each region can excel in and that have high future value."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-10 11:03:00