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  • NCSOFTs Mobile Casual Game Revenue Reaches 169.7 Billion Won, Emerging as a New Growth Driver
    NCSOFT's Mobile Casual Game Revenue Reaches 169.7 Billion Won, Emerging as a New Growth Driver NCSOFT is positioning its mobile casual games as a new growth engine. Building on the growth of the global mobile game platform JustPlay, the company aims to enhance its business operations starting in the second half of the year, with plans to make significant advancements in scale and competitiveness by next year.During a conference call on August 11, Chief Financial Officer Hong Won-jun stated, "The mobile casual business showed significant growth in the second quarter, accounting for over 20% of total revenue for the quarter. It has firmly established itself as a new pillar of our operations."NCSOFT reported mobile casual game revenue of 169.7 billion won in the second quarter, representing 22% of its total revenue. This quarter marked the first time that the global mobile game platform JustPlay was included in the consolidated results, further expanding the mobile casual business's footprint.Looking ahead, NCSOFT plans to fully leverage synergies within its mobile casual business centered around JustPlay starting in the second half of the year. CFO Hong noted, "We will intensify synergies with Lihuhu and SpringComms, and implement strategies for platform enhancement and growth by incorporating video and other content elements, as well as third-party components."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-11 16:32:00
  • Oh Se-hoon Highlights Housing Supply from Redevelopment and Reconstruction
    Oh Se-hoon Highlights Housing Supply from Redevelopment and Reconstruction Oh Se-hoon, the Mayor of Seoul, emphasized the need to revitalize redevelopment and reconstruction projects, highlighting their potential impact on housing supply. He criticized the previous administration's New Town exit strategy as a 'hostile policy' towards redevelopment and reconstruction.During a residents' meeting at the Cheongpa 2 redevelopment association office in Yongsan on August 11, Oh stated, "The Seogye and Cheongpa areas are home to several redevelopment zones and a combined town. We expect to supply 8,088 housing units, with a net increase of about 26.5% after accounting for demolitions."He noted, "Statistics from the city indicate that reconstruction will increase housing supply by 44%, while redevelopment areas will see a 27% increase. This is a place where we can empirically demonstrate the increase in housing supply through redevelopment."Oh explained his visit to Cheongpa-dong by referencing recent comments from President Lee Jae-myung, who seems to acknowledge the increase in housing supply from reconstruction but does not recognize it for redevelopment. He expressed confidence in presenting accurate statistics showing a 26.5% increase in housing supply through redevelopment in these areas.Currently, seven private redevelopment projects, including rapid integrated planning and combined towns, are underway in the Seogye and Cheongpa-dong areas. Excluding the Cheongpa 3 district, where the number of units has yet to be confirmed, the other six projects are expected to increase from 6,393 to 8,088 units, resulting in a net gain of 1,695 units, even assuming all existing homes are demolished.This area had seen stagnation in redevelopment projects after the 2012 New Town exit strategy shifted focus to urban regeneration. The Seoul city government is now pushing forward with redevelopment projects through rapid integrated planning and combined towns. Oh referred to the New Town exit strategy as a 'hostile policy' towards redevelopment and reconstruction, reiterating the necessity of these projects.However, the government has pointed out that the demand for relocation arising from the expansion of redevelopment projects could stimulate the rental market. This is due to the potential for existing homeowners and tenants to relocate, temporarily concentrating housing demand in specific areas.Oh argued that the market impact from relocation demand can be managed through timing adjustments for each project. He stated, "Once the management disposal approval is granted, relocations will begin, and it is inevitable that this will stimulate surrounding rental prices. However, looking at statistics from the past decade, even with 20,000 to 30,000 relocations per year, Seoul has sufficient buffer zones to accommodate this demand."He added, "The current plan indicates that 85,000 housing units could begin construction by 2028, and the annual relocation demand at that time is expected to slightly exceed 20,000 units. We can effectively minimize adverse effects through timing adjustment systems."Meanwhile, Oh expressed opposition to utilizing the Yongsan Children's Garden for housing supply. He emphasized, "Preserving Yongsan Park entirely as green space to create an urban forest is a principle of urban planning, regardless of political ideology. It is difficult to understand the rationale behind using hard-won green space for housing construction."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-11 16:28:00
  • Iljin Electric Reports 91% Increase in Q2 Operating Profit
    Iljin Electric Reports 91% Increase in Q2 Operating Profit Iljin Electric announced on August 11 that it recorded sales of 637.4 billion won and an operating profit of 72 billion won for the second quarter of this year. Compared to the same period last year, sales increased by approximately 22%, while operating profit rose by about 91%.For the first half of the year, the company reported cumulative sales of 1.14 trillion won and an operating profit of 122.7 billion won, marking increases of approximately 16.6% and 71.3%, respectively, compared to the same period last year. This represents the highest first-half performance in the company's history.The growth in performance was supported by strong demand in the medium voltage and cable sectors. As of the end of the first half, Iljin Electric's order backlog was approximately $1.94 billion (about 29.89 trillion won), reflecting a nearly 10% increase from the end of the first quarter. The medium voltage sector, which includes transformers and circuit breakers, accounted for about 67% of the total backlog, while the cable sector made up approximately 33%. Regionally, about 76% of the backlog is from overseas, with the remaining 24% from domestic orders.The company has a positive outlook for the third quarter, citing ongoing demand for electrical equipment and cables driven by the replacement of aging power grids in the U.S., increased investments in renewable energy in Europe, and a global rise in AI data center construction. In South Korea, demand for related electrical equipment is also expected to grow due to increased investments in renewable energy generation and data centers.An Iljin Electric representative stated, "As previously secured orders continue to be shipped, we expect solid performance in the third quarter. Additionally, there are large projects expected to be awarded in the second half, which will likely lead to a significant increase in order volume."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-11 16:28:00
  • Seragem Expands Senior Wellness Community Wells Club
    Seragem Expands Senior Wellness Community 'Wells Club' Seragem announced on August 11 that it is expanding its community space, 'Wells Club,' for senior customers.Currently, Seragem operates over 110 'Well Lounges' across the country, designed as experiential stores. The wellness program allows participants to easily and comfortably experience and learn about Seragem products. Through reasonably priced wellness passes, members can utilize two of the seven care products three times a week, ensuring balanced health management.The Wells Club is a wellness community space specifically tailored for seniors. It is designed to help senior customers engage in various activities naturally while consistently managing their health alongside product experiences. The first location opened in February in Busan's Osiria, followed by the opening of the Seoul Sangil location.Members visit the club at scheduled times to follow a set program. They first experience a blood circulation management program in the 'Celtron E2 Zone' before choosing from four additional programs: spinal and muscle care (Master V Collection), full-body exercise (Yurhythm S), skin care (Medi Spa), and deep heat management (radiofrequency equipment).In addition to regular weekday programs, the club offers various cultural activities, including a weekly singing class, health lectures, movie screenings, and seasonal events, enhancing its community function. Recently, it has expanded programs to include a singing class with a professional instructor and group support events for the World Cup, allowing members to enjoy health management and leisure together.A Seragem representative stated, 'The Wells Club is a wellness community space designed to help senior customers form healthy habits beyond simple product experiences and to facilitate natural interactions through various programs. Based on our accumulated know-how, we will develop and operate even more diverse programs to support customers in naturally establishing healthy lifestyles in their daily lives.'* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-11 16:28:00
  • Special Prosecutor Charges Former KTV Head with Sedition
    Special Prosecutor Charges Former KTV Head with Sedition Lee Eun-woo, the former head of the Korea Policy Broadcasting Institute (KTV), has been indicted on charges of sedition related to the December 3 martial law declaration.The second comprehensive special prosecutor's team, led by Kwon Chang-young, announced on August 11 that Lee was indicted without detention under the criminal law for sedition.Lee is accused of using KTV's news specials and scrolling news programming to repeatedly disseminate information justifying the martial law and proclamation from December 3 to December 13, 2024.He is also alleged to have selectively blocked and deleted information that criticized or attempted to prevent the sedition, thereby promoting support for the sedition among the general viewing public.Article 90 of the criminal law stipulates that anyone who incites or propagates sedition can face a prison sentence of three years or more.The special prosecutor's team determined that the end of Lee's seditious acts was not the lifting of martial law on December 4, 2024, but rather the passage of the impeachment motion against former President Yoon Suk Yeol on December 14 of that year.They explained, "The seditious acts of former President Yoon are distinguished from the 'sedition from below' of the past military regime under Chun Doo-hwan, as they represent 'sedition from above.'"The team emphasized that sedition is a crime that requires a specific intent, stating, "We concluded that the seditious acts ended when the actor either abandoned the goal or was unable to achieve it due to objective obstacles."Based on this assessment, the special prosecutor's team classified Lee's actions during the relevant period as a single act of sedition.Lee is already facing trial for charges related to the deletion of broadcast subtitles concerning martial law.In a first-instance ruling on June 1, the court sentenced Lee to one year in prison, suspended for two years.The special prosecutor's team, led by Jo Eun-seok, charged Lee with abuse of authority but found no grounds for the sedition charges.Concerns about potential double jeopardy are expected, as the charges brought by the comprehensive special prosecutor overlap significantly with actions already under trial.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-11 16:24:00
  • With 100 Days Until the College Entrance Exam, Students Must Navigate Early Admissions
    With 100 Days Until the College Entrance Exam, Students Must Navigate Early Admissions As the 2027 College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT) approaches in 100 days, students need to prepare not only for the exam but also for the early admissions strategy that is just a month away.The application period for early admissions will take place from September 7 to 11, with universities conducting the process for at least three days. Students can apply for a maximum of six early admission opportunities.However, there are important considerations after receiving early admission results. Those who are initially accepted, as well as those who are accepted from the waiting list, cannot apply for regular admissions or additional admissions, regardless of their registration status.This situation, known as 'early admission kidnapping' in the admissions community, occurs when a student is accepted to a university they deemed appropriate or a stretch but later achieves a higher-than-expected score on the CSAT, preventing them from applying to their preferred university through regular admissions.Importantly, this rule applies not only to initial acceptances but also to those who receive a waiting list number and are later accepted. Even if they do not register or choose to forgo registration, they will not regain eligibility to apply for regular admissions.On the other hand, students who are completely rejected from early admissions or fail to meet the minimum CSAT score requirements will still be eligible to apply for regular admissions.Therefore, students preparing for early admissions should consider not only their chances of acceptance but also whether they genuinely intend to enroll in the universities they apply to. This is especially crucial for those who anticipate an increase in their CSAT scores, as overly ambitious applications should be approached with caution.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-11 16:24:00
  • Naver Pay Partners with Korea Electric Power Corporation for Bill Payments
    Naver Pay Partners with Korea Electric Power Corporation for Bill Payments Naver Pay (Npay) has partnered with Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO) to introduce a service that allows users to handle their electricity bill from billing to payment all on mobile devices.On August 11, Npay announced that it has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with KEPCO to digitize electricity bill billing and collection. The related services are set to be implemented gradually starting at the end of this year.Once the service is launched, users will be able to receive their electricity bills through the Naver app, check the billing details, and make payments directly via Npay. Payment options will include Npay points, Npay money, and credit cards linked to Npay.Users will also be able to utilize Npay on KEPCO's online payment channel, 'Kepco ON.' This will allow for immediate payments through QR codes embedded in either the Kepco ON platform or paper bills, as well as the option to set up recurring payments.Lee Hyang-cheol, head of Npay's payment services, stated, "With the integration of Npay's easy payment system for electricity bill payments, we expect to enhance user convenience significantly. We will continue to provide various opportunities to broaden users' payment experiences."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-11 16:20:20
  • So Ji-sub, Yoon Kyung-ho, and Seo Su-min Create Action Scenes in Manager Kim Through Trust and Teamwork
    So Ji-sub, Yoon Kyung-ho, and Seo Su-min Create Action Scenes in 'Manager Kim' Through Trust and Teamwork Every production has numerous perspectives. Although the director and actors share the same space and time, their experiences may differ. 'B-Cut by Choi Song-hee' focuses on the vivid behind-the-scenes moments that go beyond the 'A-Cut' captured on screen. It reconstructs the intense moments of the 'B-Cut' through interviews with the director and actors. <Editor’s Note>The drama 'Manager Kim' achieved a 23% viewership rating, largely due to its impactful action scenes. Viewers were captivated by the desperate moments when a father leaps into danger to save his daughter. However, behind the smooth action on screen was another struggle involving the production team and actors.Director Lee Seung-young identified the source of this struggle not in individual talent but in the team's overall attitude."Our team's greatest strength is that each department listened to one another and continuously collaborated to generate great ideas. In any drama, one actor can carry the load, but the reason 'Manager Kim' achieved more than that lies in the unseen energy from the staff's efforts. The actors felt the same way," said Lee.From the elevator scene to the sauna action, the intense action that defines 'Manager Kim' was made possible by the teamwork of the cast and crew. Lee credited the production team and actors for the success of the much-discussed elevator and sauna scenes."The elevator scene was directed by our co-director, who communicated with the actors to come up with fun ideas, resulting in an enjoyable scene. There’s also a sauna scene shot from the villain's perspective in one take. During the design process, our action director showed a demo video, and we had the idea of filming it from the villain's viewpoint. The design and filming of the action had to align. Good ideas emerged, and our team's approach of listening and encouraging each other is evident in that scene," Lee explained.In the sauna scene, the camera itself became part of the action. Lee revealed that the crew's ideas led to more realistic angles and camera work."In that scene, our cinematographer played the role of the villain. Instead of using an action camera, he shot handheld while performing the actions, falling, lying down, and getting back up until the final kick. Using a handheld camera made the villain's perspective feel more authentic," Lee said.The scenes were not completed in one take. The action team and So Ji-sub spent considerable time synchronizing their movements, even risking their bodies for memorable moments."The long take was challenging, and we didn’t get it right in one go; it took a long time to shoot. For the long take to work, various elements had to align with So Ji-sub, who played Manager Kim. This open-mindedness and attitude translated into actual results," Lee noted.While the director and crew set the stage, it was the actors' responsibility to bring it to life. So Ji-sub, who portrayed Manager Kim, explained his approach to action, emphasizing the importance of conveying emotion."I’ve done a fair amount of action. While some action is necessary for the drama, I prefer it to be brief. I like action that shows emotion beforehand, as it clarifies the reason for the action. This drama had action that displayed emotion first, which I believe made it more satisfying for viewers. I don’t like action for action's sake," So Ji-sub said.What proved most challenging for him was not the elaborate martial arts choreography but the uncontrollable weather and physical conditions."The most physically demanding scene was when I walked toward the tunnel after hearing that Min-ji was in the freezer. We shot in real cold and had many takes in the rain. It was tough because my body was so cold that I couldn’t control it. The truck scene was also difficult. Although we used wires for the scene where I hung from the truck, it was still risky, making it a significant challenge," So Ji-sub explained.While So Ji-sub battled the cold and wires, Yoon Kyung-ho faced the challenge of fighting with a fellow actor in a cramped container. This scene relied on the trust between the actors, as they performed without professional stunt doubles."I had limited time to train, but I had some experience with boxing. Based on that training, I worked with the action director to prepare for the main action scenes. The container truck action, where I fought with Nam-sil, was designed to be more complex than typical one-on-many action scenes. I tried to perform as much as possible without a double, and there were many situations where I had to do it myself," Yoon Kyung-ho said."It’s hard to say I had it tougher than anyone else since everyone struggled. However, because it was action between actors rather than professional stunts, we had to be more careful. The action director was very attentive, and my co-actor trained hard. He’s very skilled, so we trusted each other," Yoon Kyung-ho added.While the senior actors endured the physical limits and fears of impact, Seo Su-min experienced the same scenes from a different perspective."The action scenes weren’t difficult for me. I had discussions and practiced with the older actors beforehand. The scene in the warehouse where we got rained on was actually fun. I thought it was something I couldn’t do in real life, so I remember thinking, 'This is so much fun!' I want to try an action genre again. The action from my dad and uncle was so cool that it made me want to do it too," Seo Su-min said.Ultimately, the action in 'Manager Kim' was not defined by flashy techniques but by trust and solid teamwork. The intense moments of the actors building emotions in the face of harsh cold and unfamiliar opponents, combined with the director's cohesive vision, resulted in memorable scenes that will linger in viewers' minds.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-11 16:20:00
  • GS Reports 253% Surge in Q2 Operating Profit Amid Refining Boom
    GS Reports 253% Surge in Q2 Operating Profit Amid Refining Boom GS Co., Ltd. reported a significant increase in operating profit for the second quarter of 2026, driven by improved performance from its key subsidiaries.On August 11, GS announced that its consolidated revenue for the second quarter reached 7.4131 trillion won, with an operating profit of 1.7174 trillion won and a net profit of 1.1320 trillion won. Compared to the same period last year, revenue increased by 24.9%, operating profit surged by 253.4%, and net profit rose by 1180.5%. Compared to the previous quarter, revenue grew by 8.3%, operating profit by 36.5%, and net profit by 36.9%.For the first half of the year, GS's consolidated revenue totaled 14.2555 trillion won, with an operating profit of 2.9760 trillion won and a net profit of 1.9587 trillion won. This represents increases of 17.2% in revenue, 130.8% in operating profit, and 415.6% in net profit compared to the first half of last year.The improvement in performance was led by GS Caltex and GS Energy, the company's core subsidiaries. GS Caltex reported second-quarter revenue of 16.6724 trillion won and an operating profit of 2.5507 trillion won, marking increases of 28% in revenue and 56% in operating profit from the previous quarter. The expansion of refining margins due to rising international oil prices and petroleum product prices, along with a temporary inventory effect, contributed to these results. Additionally, the lubricant business achieved record performance, boosting profitability amid global supply disruptions.GS Energy also saw significant improvements, benefiting from strong resource development amid rising oil prices and improved equity method earnings from GS Caltex. The company reported second-quarter revenue of 2.4219 trillion won, a 105% increase year-over-year, and an operating profit of 1.5341 trillion won, a 347% surge.Retail and hotel businesses also showed growth. GS Retail recorded second-quarter revenue of 3.1751 trillion won and an operating profit of 109.4 billion won, reflecting increases of 7% and 28%, respectively, compared to the same period last year. Growth in existing convenience stores and supermarkets, along with an increase in operating locations, supported these results. GS P&L also reported a 154% increase in operating profit to 29.4 billion won, driven by normal operations at the Westin Seoul Parnas and rising average daily rates (ADR).In contrast, GS EPS reported an operating loss of 7.3 billion won in the second quarter due to a decline in power generation rates and the expiration of the individual fuel contract for LNG Unit 1. GS E&R's operating profit fell by 5% year-over-year to 29.5 billion won, impacted by a drop in wholesale electricity prices (SMP). GS Global's operating profit decreased by 41% to 11.7 billion won due to the sequential completion of offshore wind substructure projects and chemical plant operations.A GS official stated, "The significant improvement in second-quarter consolidated results was driven by the expansion of refining margins at GS Caltex, the temporary inventory effect, and strong performance in the lubricant business." However, the official cautioned that uncertainties are expected in the third quarter due to oil price fluctuations related to Middle Eastern tensions and the fading of inventory effects, which will impact how flexibly the market can respond.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-11 16:16:00
  • MOFA sidesteps US congressional briefing demand
    MOFA sidesteps US congressional briefing demand SEOUL, August 11 (AJP) - South Korea's Ministry of Foreign Affairs did not say Tuesday whether the government will hold a briefing that Republican members of the United States House Judiciary Committee have demanded by Aug. 20 on how a new law against false and manipulated information online will be enforced. Asked at a regular briefing whether the government was discussing the request internally, Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) spokesperson Park Doo-soon said Seoul was fielding inquiries from the Judiciary Committee and other bodies. He did not say what it would do about this one. "We are explaining our position on the ground, and we are working actively to raise their understanding of the intent behind the law," he said. "We are continuing to communicate." He gave no indication of whether the briefing would happen, when it might be scheduled or which agency would deliver it. The deadline falls in nine days. The demand did not go to MOFA. Four Republican lawmakers led by House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan sent the letter on Aug. 6 to Kim Jong-cheol, chairman of the Korea Media and Communications Commission, the regulator that administers the law. They asked him to arrange a briefing no later than 10 a.m. Eastern time on Aug. 20. Representatives Scott Fitzgerald, Darrell Issa and Michael Baumgartner co-signed. The letter calls the amendment a major threat to online speech and expression, and says it would let the Korea Media and Communications Commission (KMCC) punish American companies and their users for exercising rights protected by the US Constitution. The lawmakers wrote that the law does not define false information or set out how it will be enforced. That vagueness, they argued, could be used to censor politically disfavored opinions. Park rejected the discrimination charge. "The amendment contains no element that discriminates against domestic or foreign companies, and it respects freedom of expression under the Constitution," he said. The law was written to address social harms that have come with changes in the digital environment and to strengthen protection for users, he added. The ministry has worked to convey the intent and content of the bill to the United States and other stakeholders, and will keep up the communication needed as the law takes effect. The National Assembly passed the amendment on Dec. 24, 2025, by 170 votes to three, with four abstentions among the 177 members present. The main opposition People Power Party boycotted the vote after a filibuster was cut off. The law took effect on July 7. It puts definitions of false information and manipulated information into statute for the first time. Distribution is banned only where the person knew the material was false, acted to harm someone or obtain unjust gain, and infringed another party's rights or the public interest. Courts can award up to five times the damages proven, and up to 50 million won ($352,940) where damage is difficult to quantify. The Judiciary Committee objects to the reach as much as the wording. Its letter says the law covers content publishers with more than 100,000 subscribers or a monthly average of 100,000 views, and platforms averaging more than a million daily users, thresholds met by Facebook, X, Instagram and YouTube. Large platforms must set up complaint procedures, remove offending content, publish transparency reports and submit to government investigations. The KMCC can impose fines of up to 1 billion won, about $656,000. The lawmakers noted that the regulator has said it will allow no grace period for compliance. The letter places the law in a line the committee has been drawing since last year, arguing that South Korea is following the European Union in using disinformation rules to reach American speech. It quotes the ruling Democratic Party of Korea saying in September 2025 that it intended to build a Korean version of the Digital Services Act into the Network Act. The same four lawmakers produced a committee report on July 1 accusing South Korea of discriminatory treatment of American-owned businesses, Coupang among them. Ambassador to the United States Kang Kyung-wha was recalled to Seoul from July 15 to 19 on the instruction of Foreign Minister Cho Hyun for consultations on the state of the relationship. Park described that recall Tuesday as a chance for Kang to exchange views repeatedly with the foreign minister, the National Security Office and other relevant agencies. Pressed on why the letter arrived anyway, he said several pending issues underlie the friction between the two countries and that the government judged a more coordinated response necessary. "Those efforts have continued, and we are pushing them forward harder," he said. Copies of the letter went to Secretary of State Marco Rubio and to the committee's three ranking Democrats, Jamie Raskin, Jerrold Nadler and Henry C. Johnson. 2026-08-11 16:15:15