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  • Kim Jong-cheol Appointed Head of Incheon Free Economic Zone Authority
    Kim Jong-cheol Appointed Head of Incheon Free Economic Zone Authority Kim Jong-cheol has been appointed as the new head of the Incheon Free Economic Zone Authority. He is a seasoned bureaucrat with extensive experience in industrial, trade, and energy policy, as well as foreign direct investment (FDI) initiatives.Born in 1969 in Daegu, Kim graduated from Seoul National University with a degree in Spanish literature. He later earned a master's degree in business administration from the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) and a doctorate in business administration from the Seoul Science and Technology University. In his 50s, he continued his education by transferring to the Computer Science Department at Korea National Open University, where he obtained a bachelor's degree and certifications in information processing and industrial technology.Kim entered public service through the 40th National Civil Service Examination and has held various positions, including Director of the Steel and Chemical Division and Director of the Power Promotion Division at the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy. He also served as the head of the Foreign Investment Administrative Support Center at the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA), and later as the Director of the Defense Acquisition Program Administration's Base Strategy Support Division, as well as Director of Trade Cooperation and Director of Resource Industry Policy at the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy.During his tenure at KOTRA, Kim focused on attracting foreign direct investment and resolving investment challenges faced by foreign companies, gaining practical experience in investment attraction. At the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, he expanded his expertise in trade cooperation and energy supply policies.As the head of the Incheon Free Economic Zone Authority, Kim is expected to enhance the competitiveness of the Incheon Free Economic Zone by advancing the Songdo Bio-Healthcare Cluster, attracting high-tech companies in semiconductors and artificial intelligence (AI), and fostering the aviation maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) industry in Yeongjong.◇ Profile△ Born in 1969 in Daegu △ Seoul National University, Spanish Literature △ Master's in Business Administration, KAIST △ Doctorate in Business Administration, Seoul Science and Technology University △ Director of Steel and Chemical Division, Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy △ Head of Foreign Investment Administrative Support Center, KOTRA △ Director of Base Strategy Support Division, Defense Acquisition Program Administration △ Director of Trade Cooperation, Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy △ Director of Resource Industry Policy, Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-18 11:12:00
  • Naver Cloud Proposes Defense AI Strategy for Rapid Military Technology Integration
    Naver Cloud Proposes Defense AI Strategy for Rapid Military Technology Integration Naver Cloud hosted the 'Defense AI Strategy Seminar' on September 18, presenting a strategy for the military to rapidly integrate civilian technology while maintaining control over data and artificial intelligence (AI) models.The event, held at the Shilla Hotel in Seoul, attracted 550 participants, including officials from the Ministry of National Defense, the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and various military branches. Naver Cloud emphasized the need to accelerate the transition to defense AI by consolidating, connecting, validating, and evolving civilian technologies.Kim Yoo-won, CEO of Naver Cloud, stated, "Defense AI should not end with technology adoption; it must define the problems the military needs to address and validate them in the field for effective integration." He added, "Our role is to support the military with the fastest and most accurate technology in the areas they require."He further noted that Naver Cloud aims to be a key partner in connecting and supporting the capabilities of the military, defense companies, startups, and research institutions to solve real defense challenges.Naver Cloud outlined its strategy to go beyond being a mere AI provider, positioning itself as a long-term partner in designing and validating the AI transition for South Korea's defense. The company plans to take responsibility for everything from infrastructure to actual mission applications, leveraging its full-stack capabilities and proven security technologies.Former Deputy Minister of National Defense Kim Sun-ho emphasized that the success of Defense AX hinges on how quickly the military can convert civilian innovative technologies into operational capabilities. He stressed the necessity of establishing a 'civil-military fusion ecosystem' under the principle of 'civilian technology first,' where the private sector leads technological innovation and the military swiftly integrates it.He also highlighted the importance of not just validating technologies but also organically integrating AI into military operational concepts and weapon systems to achieve practical deployment and dissemination.Yoo Kyung-beom, Executive Vice President of Naver Cloud's Defense Business, proposed that the acceleration of sovereign AI in defense requires a structure that consolidates, connects, validates, and evolves civilian technologies.Naver Cloud plans to gather expertise from various civilian sectors, including infrastructure, AI models, and applications, ensuring that military data is securely connected to AI models in a closed network environment, allowing the military to maintain control over data and models. The company intends to validate results progressively in mission areas where effectiveness can be measured and continuously evolve performance in collaboration with Field Deployment Engineers (FDE).Sung Nak-ho, who leads model development at Naver Cloud, suggested that for autonomous weapon systems to function correctly, a 'common semantic framework' is necessary to ensure that sensors and platforms can understand the same situations.He proposed technologies such as spatial intelligence, which structures drone footage and sensor information in three-dimensional space, and world models that simulate and predict outcomes in virtual environments reflecting battlefield variables like terrain, weather, and radar.In the future, Naver Cloud aims to connect the entire process of situational understanding, judgment, action, and learning, allowing the military to directly control and implement the intelligence they desire without being dependent on specific models.Naver Cloud's strategy is to provide ongoing support rather than one-time technology supply, continuously enhancing performance by reflecting real-time field requirements through FDE. This approach positions the company as a key technology partner in enabling the military to directly control data and models, ultimately creating a self-evolving operational system.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-18 11:12:00
  • Apple Launches iPhone 18 Pro Series in South Korea
    Apple Launches iPhone 18 Pro Series in South Korea On September 18, Apple officially launched its new iPhone 18 Pro series in South Korea. Customers began lining up outside the Apple Myeongdong store before it opened, eager to pick up their pre-ordered devices. However, the crowd was noticeably smaller compared to previous years, likely due to the shift to in-store pickups for pre-orders and anticipation for the upcoming iPhone Duo.This year, customers could not purchase devices on launch day; only pre-order pickups were allowed. The demand for the iPhone Duo, set to launch on October 23, may have also contributed to the reduced turnout.Despite the smaller crowd, some customers camped out overnight to be among the first to receive the new devices. Lee Young-joo, 32, was the first to get her hands on the iPhone 18 Pro after waiting for about 13 hours since 7 PM the previous day. She has attempted to be the first buyer for the past three years and was thrilled to finally succeed."I tried to be the first buyer for the iPhone 16 and 17 but failed," Lee said. "It was on my bucket list, and I’m so happy to finally achieve it after three years." She chose the Glacier model of the iPhone 18 Pro, opting for the traditional bar-style design over the new Duo model due to concerns about its price.The iPhone 18 Pro series maintains the basic design of its predecessor while improving camera capabilities, performance, and battery life. Notably, it features a 48-megapixel Fusion main camera with a variable aperture for the first time. The new A20 Pro chip and a vapor chamber have also been added, with the Pro Max supporting up to 43 hours of video playback.However, the price has increased, with the domestic starting price for the 256GB iPhone 18 Pro set at 1.99 million won and the Pro Max at 2.19 million won, reflecting a rise of about 200,000 won from the previous models. The highest capacity 2TB models are priced at 3.79 million won and 3.99 million won, respectively.Despite the price hike and minimal design changes, buyers cited camera performance and the Apple ecosystem as key reasons for their purchases. For professionals in video and design, the variable aperture was a significant factor in their decision to upgrade. Park Sung-kwon, a 34-year-old director, was the second buyer, waiting for about 12.5 hours since 7:30 PM the previous day. He purchased the Burgundy model of the iPhone 18 Pro with 256GB of storage."I really like the Burgundy color that Rosé from Blackpink chose," Park said. "I waited outside and got bitten by mosquitoes, but now I just want to go to my office and start using the new device for video shoots."Park's primary reason for buying the iPhone 18 Pro was the variable aperture. "I didn’t buy it for gaming or other features; I bought it solely for the variable aperture," he explained. "For a video director, adjusting depth of field through software versus mechanically is a completely different realm."Having used Apple products since he was 20, Park noted the ease of use and emotional appeal of Apple devices compared to competitors. He is also considering purchasing the iPhone Duo for work, believing it will be beneficial due to its improvements over existing foldable phones.Foreign customers also visited the store on launch day. A woman from Nepal, who has lived in South Korea for five years while pursuing a PhD and working in marketing, picked up two iPhone 18 Pro Max devices. She bought the 512GB model for work and the 256GB model as a gift for her family in Nepal.She cited the faster release schedule in South Korea as a reason for her purchase. "New products are released later in Nepal, so I can buy them much sooner here," she said, adding that she applied for pre-order as soon as it opened. South Korea is among the first countries, along with the U.S., Japan, China, the U.K., and France, to launch the iPhone 18 series.Despite the price increase, she believes the product is worth it. "It’s true that the price has gone up compared to the previous model, but Apple products maintain their resale value well after a year of use," she said. She switched to iPhone from Samsung Galaxy due to concerns about privacy and security.On the same day, Apple also began selling the Apple Watch Series 12, Apple Watch Ultra 4, and AirPods 5 in South Korea. The standard iPhone 18 model was excluded from this fall's lineup. Apple plans to release the iPhone Duo, its first foldable phone, on October 23, with a starting price of 3.29 million won. 2026-09-18 11:12:00
  • President Lee Says He Has No Plans for Reelection, Promises Review of Appointment System
    President Lee Says He Has No Plans for Reelection, Promises Review of Appointment System President Lee Jae-myung stated on September 18 that he has "no intention of seeking reelection" amid ongoing discussions about his potential for a second term. He also pledged to conduct a comprehensive review of the appointment system following recent controversies surrounding ministerial nominees. During a press conference at the Blue House, President Lee remarked, "It is constitutionally impossible for me to seek reelection through a constitutional amendment, and I have repeatedly stated that I have never considered it." However, he reaffirmed the need for constitutional amendments, including the possibility of a presidential reelection system. He noted, "The 1987 Constitution, born from a compromise in political circumstances, no longer fits today’s South Korea," and proposed a constitutional revision through rational discussions between the ruling and opposition parties, as well as public consensus. Among the proposed amendments are the inclusion of the spirit of the May 18 Gwangju Democratization Movement and the Busan Uprising in the constitutional preamble, strengthening citizens' basic rights, decentralizing some presidential powers to the National Assembly and local governments, and introducing a presidential reelection system. He dismissed claims of intending to implement a parliamentary system or a dual executive system as "absurd." President Lee also expressed his commitment to respecting the will of the people in exercising state power, including his appointment authority. He stated, "The sovereignty of the Republic of Korea lies with the people, and all power, including the appointment authority, comes from the people," adding that he would review the appointment system. He emphasized his determination to achieve balanced national development and complete the administrative capital project. President Lee said, "I will steadfastly pursue balanced national development to overcome the one-pole system in the metropolitan area, which is a fundamental obstacle to stabilizing housing prices, and diversify growth and development hubs." He further promised to expedite the construction of the administrative capital, which has been long pursued to alleviate congestion in the metropolitan area and achieve balanced national development, stating, "I will open an era of dual capitals with 'Economic Capital Seoul' and 'Administrative Capital Sejong,' similar to New York and Washington." Regarding the real estate market, he pledged to swiftly implement supply, regulation, and tax policies to stabilize housing prices. President Lee emphasized, "I will ensure the stabilization of the real estate market to avoid the 'lost 30 years' that we will inevitably face if we continue on this path." He added, "Through the firm and swift execution of supply, regulation, and tax policies, along with sufficient communication with stakeholders, I will minimize confusion and backlash, and I will achieve housing price stability." On prosecutorial reform, he stated, "I will responsibly complete the irreversible task of prosecutorial reform, which is a historical challenge." He assessed that the separation of investigative and prosecutorial powers through the exclusion of prosecutors' investigative authority and the division of the Public Prosecution Service and the Serious Crimes Investigation Agency has reached its conclusion, but emphasized that there should be no gaps in investigations or violations of human rights during the reform process. President Lee vowed, "I will thoroughly check and supplement to ensure that not a single unjust victim or small gap occurs," and stated that issues arising from the absence of supplementary investigative powers for prosecutors would be resolved through strict oversight and supplementary measures for police investigations. He also mentioned plans for rigorous police reform to prevent the police, with concentrated investigative powers, from becoming another power institution. Acknowledging recent declines in government approval ratings and internal conflicts within the ruling party, President Lee accepted responsibility. He said, "It is true that I was taken aback by the sudden disappointment and concerns of the public after the local elections," adding, "The result of my reflection is that 'the people are always right.'" He admitted, "All of this is due to my shortcomings," and expressed that he had not sufficiently empathized with the conflicts and pains that inevitably arise in the processes of livelihood, reform, and integration, and that his fear and humility had diminished in the face of small achievements and the public's great support. To his supporters, he appealed for unity, stating, "We are all comrades of the pro-Moon, pro-Roh, pro-Kim Dae-jung, and pro-Lee Jae-myung, who dream of democracy, progress, and reform for a better world," and promised to listen more, communicate, and extend his hand first. He also declared, "I will become a president of integration who reflects the rational opinions of the majority of the people in governance without losing the values of reform and progress," and stated, "I will prove this not with words but with results, walking the path of livelihood, reform, and integration unwaveringly according to the will of the people." 2026-09-18 11:08:00
  • 113 Participants Win Medals at National Disability Skills Competition
    113 Participants Win Medals at National Disability Skills Competition The 43rd National Disability Skills Competition concluded after four days of events, featuring 477 competitors showcasing their skills. Selected athletes will represent South Korea at the International Disability Skills Olympics in Helsinki, Finland, next year.According to the Ministry of Employment and Labor, the closing ceremony took place on September 18 at BEXCO in Busan. The competition, held from September 15 to 18, saw 477 representatives from various provinces compete in 41 categories, resulting in 113 medalists: 38 gold, 39 silver, and 36 bronze.In the regular categories, Seoul's Heo Su-ho won a gold medal in electronic devices. In computer programming, Park Jae-hyuk from Seoul, Park Woo-jin from Gyeonggi in CNC lathe, and Park Kyung-hyun from Gyeonggi in computer repair also earned gold medals.In demonstration categories, Kim Chung-hwan from Busan won gold in 3D printing, Kim Jeong-pyo from Daegu in mobile app development, and Seo Ji-wook from Busan in video content production. Lee Hye-min from Daegu secured a gold medal in baking for individuals with developmental disabilities.In the leisure and daily living skills category, Daejeon's Lee Tae-young won gold in pottery for individuals with severe disabilities, while Busan's Choi Hye-seong took gold in data entry for individuals with developmental disabilities.Winners received certificates, medals, and cash prizes. The cash awards for regular categories were 12 million won for gold, 8 million won for silver, and 4 million won for bronze. For demonstration categories, the prizes were 6 million won, 4 million won, and 2 million won, while the leisure and daily living skills category offered 2 million won, 1 million won, and 600,000 won. Additionally, winners are exempt from the written and practical exams for the national technical qualification.This competition also served as a selection event for the 11th International Disability Skills Olympics, which will take place in Helsinki in May 2027. Selected athletes will compete against skilled individuals with disabilities from around the world.Minister of Employment and Labor Kim Young-hoon stated, "This competition was a meaningful occasion that demonstrated that disability does not limit one's ability to work, as evidenced by the athletes' outstanding skills. The government will actively support individuals with disabilities in achieving good jobs and a hopeful future through appropriate education and opportunities."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-18 11:00:20
  • South Korea Plans to Phase Out Coal Power by 2040
    South Korea Plans to Phase Out Coal Power by 2040 The South Korean government is considering a plan to gradually retire 21 coal power plants with remaining lifespans between 2037 and 2039 as part of its goal to phase out coal by 2040. Among these, up to 10 plants may be designated as 'security power sources' to be used in emergencies before being phased out sequentially. On September 18, Kim Jin-soo, a professor at Hanyang University’s Department of Resource and Environmental Engineering, presented the '2040 Coal Power Phase-Out Policy' at the 12th public forum for establishing the basic electricity supply plan, held at the Korea Electric Power Corporation's Nam Seoul headquarters in Yeongdeungpo, Seoul. He explained that the proposal is not a final decision but a starting point for future discussions. Currently, there are 60 operational coal power plants in South Korea, with a total capacity of approximately 39.5 gigawatts (GW). Of these, 39 plants reaching their 30-year design lifespan are set to be retired by 2038, while the remaining 21 plants (19.1 GW) are targeted for early retirement by 2040. Initially, 27 plants (13.6 GW) that will reach the end of their design lifespan by 2036 will be replaced with LNG power plants, in accordance with the existing electricity supply plan. Among these, the Yeongheung Units 1 and 2 will be replaced with LNG plants located in the metropolitan area to strengthen power supply, while the Dangjin Units 5 and 6 will be considered for placement in the Honam region as part of the Southwest Mega Project. The remaining 12 plants (6.79 GW) scheduled for retirement between 2037 and 2038 are proposed to be replaced with pumped storage power. Currently, 13 pumped storage projects are planned, totaling 7.5 GW. However, the scale of replacement will be determined based on economic feasibility. The 21 plants with remaining lifespans will be retired in phases from 2037 to 2039. The decision to retire all 21 plants at once in 2040 could significantly reduce large-scale supply capacity, placing a burden on power supply and grid operations. The phased retirement will be assessed based on available capacity and the stability of power supply and grid operations. To incentivize early retirement, operators may receive preferential treatment in bidding for new power projects, such as battery energy storage systems (BESS). If local acceptance is secured, there are also plans to convert coal plant sites to small modular reactors (SMR) and to transition some private power plants to LNG combined heat and power, considering heat demand. Among the remaining 21 plants, up to 10 may be retained as 'security power sources.' The designation will be based on the performance of the plants and their contribution to the grid, with specific plants to be confirmed in the next electricity supply plan rather than the current one. Security power sources will be categorized into 'reserve power' and 'strategic preservation' types. Reserve power will maintain a state of readiness for peak loads or reduced renewable energy utilization, while strategic preservation will keep minimal staffing for long-term retention in case of power supply crises, such as LNG supply instability or soaring oil prices. Kim emphasized, "We should not simply designate security power sources. We aim to apply carbon reduction measures, such as carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS), for power sources that require periodic activation." * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-18 11:00:00
  • KOSPI gains 1.8% as foreign buying lift market
    KOSPI gains 1.8% as foreign buying lift market SEOUL, September 18 (AJP) - South Korean stocks rebounded Friday morning as falling U.S. Treasury yields and oil prices lifted technology shares, with foreign investors leading the chip buying spree. As of 10:30 a.m., the benchmark KOSPI stood at 6,835.12, up 1.8 percent. The index opened sharply higher and climbed as high as 6,885.70 before trimming gains. Foreign investors bought a net 151.5 billion won ($109 million) of KOSPI shares, reversing course after eight consecutive sessions of net selling through Thursday. Institutions bought 371.9 billion won, while retail investors sold 911.4 billion won. The U.S. 10-year Treasury yield fell back below 5 percent to around 4.93 percent overnight, easing some of the pressure that followed the Federal Reserve's rate increase earlier this week. Wall Street rallied, with the S&P 500 gaining 1.14 percent and the Nasdaq Composite climbing 1.69 percent. The Philadelphia Semiconductor Index surged 3.14 percent as Nvidia rose 2.54 percent, AMD gained 6.36 percent, Intel jumped 7.67 percent and Micron Technology advanced 5.50 percent. SK hynix rose 4.3 percent to 1,819,000 won, while Samsung Electronics gained 2.2 percent to 258,000 won. Samsung Electro-Mechanics climbed 4.8 percent to 1,394,000 won after KB Securities forecast record third-quarter earnings on strong demand for artificial intelligence server components. The brokerage expects operating profit of 660.1 billion won, about 11 percent above market expectations, citing higher utilization rates, price increases and a larger share of high-value multilayer ceramic capacitors and flip-chip ball grid array substrates. Computer and peripheral stocks gained 5.4 percent, telecommunications equipment rose 4.87 percent and electrical equipment advanced 4.6 percent. Cable stocks were particularly strong, jumping 11.04 percent as expectations grew that Korean suppliers could benefit from U.S. investment in power infrastructure. Gaon Cable surged 21.9 percent to 317,500 won. The company operates a production base in North Carolina and is expanding U.S. capacity as investment in artificial intelligence data centers and power grids drives demand for electricity infrastructure. Optical communications stocks also rallied, with Daehan Fiber Optics rising 12.7 percent and Wooriro jumping 19.1 percent. The secondary KOSDAQ gained 0.6 percent to 827.11 after touching 833.57 earlier in the session. Foreign investors bought 15.5 billion won and institutions followed with 8.5 billion won, while retail investors sold 23 billion won. Oil prices extended their decline for a third session as concerns over Middle East supply disruptions eased. West Texas Intermediate crude fell 0.7 percent to around $101.20 a barrel, while Brent crude declined 0.8 percent to about $104. Saudi Arabia is expected to restore about half the capacity of its East-West pipeline within days and return it to full operation within six weeks, easing concerns over crude flows that bypass the Strait of Hormuz. The Korean won weakened 0.2 percent to 1,384.1 against the dollar. Across Asia, Japan's Nikkei 225 gained 0.99 percent to 64,764.04 ahead of the Bank of Japan's policy decision. China's Shanghai Composite rose 0.4 percent to 3,892.27, while Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index gained 0.6 percent to 24,752.30. AJP Takeaways - KOSPI up 1.8% at 6,835.12 as lower U.S. Treasury yields and oil prices lifted risk appetite. - Foreigners turn buyers: Overseas investors bought a net 151.5 billion won of KOSPI shares after eight straight sessions of net selling. - Chip stocks lead: SK hynix gained 4.3% and Samsung Electronics rose 2.2% after a strong overnight rally in U.S. semiconductors. 2026-09-18 10:58:07
  • President Lee Says He Has No Plans for Reelection
    President Lee Says He Has No Plans for Reelection President Lee Jae-myung stated on September 18, "I have no intention of seeking reelection." During a press conference at the Blue House, President Lee emphasized, "Reelection through constitutional amendment is impossible, and I have repeatedly stated that I have never considered it." He dismissed claims that he intends to introduce a parliamentary system or a dual executive system as absurd, adding, "Demands for me to promise not to seek reelection seem to be a political attack aimed at framing me as someone who is contemplating reelection but has decided against it." However, he maintained his position on the necessity of constitutional amendments, including the introduction of presidential term limits. President Lee stated, "My stance on constitutional amendments, including strengthening citizens' basic rights, distributing some presidential powers to the National Assembly and local governments, and introducing presidential term limits for policy consistency and national stability, has been consistent for a long time." He further asserted, "The sovereignty of the Republic of Korea lies with the people, and all powers, including personnel authority, come from the people." He pledged to respect the will of the people as the sovereign when exercising all state powers, including personnel administration. In light of recent personnel controversies, he mentioned, "I will also review the personnel system at this time." These remarks come amid ongoing opposition criticism regarding the proposed constitutional amendment for presidential term limits. During a visit to France on September 9, President Lee reiterated, "My term is clearly limited by the constitution," but the opposition has insisted that he must explicitly state his intention not to seek reelection. This press conference is seen as an effort by President Lee to clearly deny any possibility of reelection while separating discussions of constitutional amendments from his personal future.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-18 10:56:00
  • KB Kookmin Bank Waives Roaming Fees for Relief Workers in Nepal
    KB Kookmin Bank Waives Roaming Fees for Relief Workers in Nepal KB Kookmin Bank's mobile service, KB Livemobile, announced on September 18 that it will waive roaming fees for personnel engaged in relief activities in Nepal.This initiative aims to alleviate the communication costs for relief workers involved in rescue, aid, and recovery efforts in Nepal, facilitating their local operations.The support is available to KB Livemobile customers dispatched to Nepal. The bank will cover the roaming fees incurred during their stay, enabling relief workers to communicate seamlessly with domestic and international agencies as needed for their operations.A representative from KB Kookmin Bank stated, "We hope this support for communication costs will be a practical help to those continuing their relief efforts in Nepal. We will consistently fulfill our corporate social responsibility through various support initiatives utilizing our communication services."Additionally, KB Kookmin Bank is operating a 'Nepal Overseas Remittance Support Program' to assist in recovery efforts. Both individual and corporate customers sending money to Nepal will have their remittance fees waived, regardless of the purpose. For donations aimed at recovery, the bank will also provide a waiver of telegraphic transfer fees and a 100% preferential exchange rate benefit.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-18 10:56:00
  • Mirae Asset Securities Halts Acquisition Review of Public.com, Seeks Other Opportunities
    Mirae Asset Securities Halts Acquisition Review of Public.com, Seeks Other Opportunities Mirae Asset Securities has halted its review of acquiring the U.S. retail trading platform Public.com.On September 18, the Financial Supervisory Service's electronic disclosure system reported that Mirae Asset Securities stated, "We had considered the acquisition, but we have decided to cease further review," adding that it will continue to explore various opportunities for entering the U.S. retail market.A representative from Mirae Asset Securities commented, "It is difficult to disclose specific reasons beyond what is stated in the announcement," and noted that the company is evaluating various methods.Founded in New York in 2019, fintech company Public.com has gained attention for its platform that allows trading of a variety of financial products, including stocks, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), government bonds, options, and cryptocurrencies. It reportedly has over 3 million members, leveraging features like real-time fractional investing and social networking.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-18 10:56:00