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South Korea and Tajikistan Strengthen Cooperation on Critical Minerals South Korea and Tajikistan are set to enhance cooperation in the critical mineral supply chain and the industrial and technological sectors. Discussions are underway to establish a regular cooperation channel in the industrial sector and to sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the two countries during the first Korea-Central Asia Summit scheduled for September. The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy announced that Deputy Minister Moon Shin-hak met with Isozon Kurbonzoda, the First Deputy Minister of Industry and New Technologies of Tajikistan, in Seoul on August 11. They discussed industrial and economic achievements related to the upcoming summit on September 16 and explored cooperation plans for critical minerals between the two nations. During the summit, the two sides will also discuss the establishment of a regular cooperation channel called the 'C5+Korea Industrial Ministers' Meeting,' which will involve the industrial ministers of South Korea and the five Central Asian countries: Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, and Kyrgyzstan. Additionally, they discussed the signing of an MOU to promote mutually beneficial cooperation in the industrial and technological sectors between South Korea and Tajikistan. They exchanged views on expanding exchanges and cooperation among major business leaders from both countries during the 'Korea-Central Asia Business Summit' held during the summit. Expanding cooperation in the critical mineral supply chain was also a key agenda item. Prior to the Korea-Central Asia Summit, South Korea and Tajikistan will hold the inaugural 'Korea-Tajikistan Mineral Forum' in Seoul on August 12. Tajikistan is rich in various mineral resources, including gold, silver, and antimony. The Ministry anticipates that this forum will help identify practical cooperation projects by linking Tajikistan's resource potential with South Korea's mineral exploration, development technology, and demand. The forum will involve participation from government officials, specialized institutions, and businesses from both countries. Attendees will discuss policies on critical minerals, joint exploration opportunities, investment and financing, and supply chain development. Deputy Minister Moon stated, "Central Asian countries, including Tajikistan, are important partners with abundant resources and growth potential. We will work to materialize the cooperation projects discussed in this meeting into tangible outcomes in the areas of industry, supply chains, and critical minerals during the Korea-Central Asia Summit in September." * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-11 11:04:10 -
Unclaimed Lotto Winnings Reach 58.1 Billion Won; Automatic Payments Available via Payco By registering paper lottery tickets in the Payco app, users will receive regular notifications about their winnings, and unclaimed prizes will be automatically deposited on the payment deadline.The Ministry of Economy and Finance's Lottery Commission held its 191st meeting on August 11, where it approved amendments to guidelines regarding the issuance, management, and sale of lotteries.The automatic payment system for unclaimed winnings will begin operating on August 18. Users who pre-register their paper lottery tickets in the Payco app will receive regular updates on their winning status, and any unclaimed prizes by the deadline will be automatically credited to their accounts.Currently, it is difficult to verify the identity of purchasers of physical lottery tickets, unlike online purchases. If winners do not claim their prizes within one year from the start of the payment period, the winnings will revert to the lottery fund.Last year, unclaimed lottery winnings totaled 58.1 billion won, primarily from the fourth prize of 50,000 won and the fifth prize of 5,000 won, which require winners to check their status directly.The Lottery Commission also plans to provide real-time operational information for 9,530 lottery retailers through Naver Maps and Kakao Maps, allowing users to confirm both the location and operational status of retailers to enhance purchasing convenience.A pilot program for exchange vouchers for annuity lotteries, which companies can use as prizes in promotional events, will also be introduced. These vouchers will be limited to amounts under 5,000 won and will have additional restrictions to prevent use by minors.To increase retailer sales and raise awareness of the lottery fund, the commission will promote local lottery fund projects through banners, lottery envelopes, and QR code displays at retailers.Last year, lottery sales reached 7.66 trillion won, nearly 7.8 times the 980 billion won recorded when the Lotto was first launched in 2002. During the same period, the number of lottery retailers increased from 5,197 to 9,530.Jo Yong-beom, Vice Minister of Planning, stated, “This reform aims to protect the rights of lottery purchasers while contributing to increased sales for retailers, which are primarily composed of vulnerable groups, thereby enhancing public trust in the lottery system.”Meanwhile, the Lottery Commission is holding a drawing contest themed “How the Lottery Fund Has Changed Our Neighborhood.” Any citizen aged 19 and older can participate, with submissions accepted until the 11th of next month. Outstanding works will be featured on lottery tickets and promotional materials for the Spitto and annuity lotteries.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-11 11:04:00
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2027 World Youth Day in Seoul Expands Global Tree Planting Initiative Young people from around the world participating in the 2027 World Youth Day in Seoul will engage in ecological practices by planting trees in their own countries and regions. The main event of the World Youth Day will take place in Seoul from August 3 to August 8, 2027. Prior to the main event, diocesan gatherings will be held nationwide from July 29 to August 2, excluding Seoul. International pilgrims will experience the faith and culture of the Korean Church and interact with local youth before moving to Seoul to participate in the main event with the Pope. The organizing committee for the 2027 World Youth Day announced on August 11 that it officially launched the 'Onsum Campaign - Global Tree Planting Movement' on August 3. The initiative encourages participants to respond to the carbon emissions generated during their long-distance travel with ecological actions. This movement is based on the spirit of 'caring for our common home' emphasized in Pope Francis' encyclical 'Laudato Si'. It aims not only to plant trees in specific locations in Seoul but also to involve youth and Catholic communities worldwide in planting trees suitable for their local ecological environments. Participation is simple. Individuals or communities can plant trees in their local areas and then upload photos of the trees, species, planting locations, dates, and personal reflections to the online collaboration platform Padlet. There are no restrictions on the number of participants, allowing youth, pilgrims, diocesan and parish communities, and environmental organizations to join. Participation records will be displayed on an online 'Global Tree Planting Status Map'. This map will accumulate records of tree planting by country and will also include domestic planting activities at the Sky Park in Seoul's World Cup Park. The goal is to connect planting records from around the world on a single map to demonstrate ecological solidarity among participants. To expand international participation, the organizing committee will collaborate with the 'Laudato Si' Movement, a Catholic environmental network. LSM will disseminate posters, participation guides, and information on tree planting and certification methods to dioceses, parishes, and youth organizations through its international network. The 'Laudato Si' Movement was launched in January 2015 during Pope Francis' visit to the Philippines. Initially named the 'Global Catholic Climate Movement', it was renamed in 2021. The movement aims to foster solidarity among the global Catholic community in responding to the climate crisis and ecological issues. The global tree planting initiative also signifies the international expansion of the Onsum Campaign, which began in Seoul. Since April 2025, the organizing committee has been planting trees at the Sky Park in collaboration with the Korea Forest Service and the Seoul Metropolitan Government every spring and fall. The goal is to plant approximately 300 trees each time, totaling 1,800 trees by 2027. This global campaign will continue until August 2, 2027. The organizing committee plans to tally the number of participating countries, participation instances, and cumulative planting totals during this period and continuously reflect domestic and international activities on the online map. However, to evaluate tree planting as a direct means of 'offsetting' carbon emissions from long-distance air travel, a detailed assessment of the species planted, survival rates, growth periods, post-planting care, and the total greenhouse gas emissions generated during participants' travel is necessary. Thus, the significance of this movement lies not in erasing immediate carbon emissions but in raising participants' awareness of their responsibility toward the climate crisis and initiating ecological practices that continue beyond the event. The organizing committee expects that the trees planted around the world and the participation records of young people will become an 'ecological legacy' that endures beyond the conclusion of the event. The pilgrimage to Seoul begins not when participants board a plane, but when they plant a tree in their hometowns. 2026-08-11 11:04:00
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Samsung Demonstrates Integrated Heating and Cooling Heat Pump Solution in Jeju Samsung Electronics has begun testing a heat pump system that provides cooling, heating, and hot water from a single unit in residential homes in Jeju. This initiative aligns with the government's goal to promote 'electrification of heating' this year, aiming to expand the product range suitable for both single-family homes and apartments.On August 11, Samsung announced that it established a 'Heat Pump Field Test Lab' in a single-family home in Jeju City’s Donam-dong in June to verify the cooling and heating performance and energy efficiency of its 'EHS All-in-One' system.The heat pump operates by extracting heat from the air for heating and hot water, serving as a key method to reduce carbon emissions in the building sector by replacing fossil fuel-burning boilers with electric systems.The government plans to invest 14.45 billion won in the electrification of heating this year, supporting 70% of the installation costs for heat pumps in single-family homes, particularly in warmer regions like Jeju and Gyeongnam.The EHS All-in-One system can handle air conditioning, underfloor heating, and hot water supply with a single outdoor unit. It also incorporates 'heat recovery' technology, which reuses heat discarded during the cooling process for hot water production. This approach aims to consolidate the separate installations of air conditioners and boilers commonly found in domestic housing into one system.Following the verification for single-family homes, Samsung is also exploring the potential for application in multi-family units. The company is installing the EHS All-in-One in environments similar to actual apartments at Samsung C&T's Residential Performance Research Institute to gather performance and operational data. This step is crucial for the heat pump's expansion into the apartment sector, which constitutes a significant portion of domestic housing, as it requires technology verification tailored to outdoor unit installation space, piping, and heating methods.Additionally, a heat pump boiler product is currently being tested in Jeju. The EHS heat pump boiler, installed in Aewol in June, recorded a seasonal performance factor (SCOP) of 4.9 under 35-degree water conditions, providing approximately five times the heating energy compared to its power consumption, exceeding the government’s efficiency standard of 4.5.Samsung is expanding its heat pump business, previously focused on Europe, into the domestic housing market. If the government’s distribution project extends from single-family homes to multi-family units in places like Jeju, it is expected to alter the competitive landscape of the domestic heating and cooling market, which has been divided between air conditioners and boilers.Shin Moon-sun, Senior Vice President of Samsung Electronics' DA Division, stated, 'Jeju is the first region where the national electrification of heating policy is being implemented, making it an important testbed to validate the competitiveness of heat pump technology and products in real residential environments. We aim to expand our residential HVAC solutions that encompass cooling, heating, and hot water supply.' 2026-08-11 11:04:00
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Samjin Pharmaceutical Appoints Kim Dae-hyun as Head of Consumer Healthcare Division Samjin Pharmaceutical has appointed Kim Dae-hyun, former head of OTC marketing at Dongwha Pharmaceutical, as Executive Director to strengthen its Consumer Healthcare (CH) division. Kim will oversee the CH division, focusing on enhancing the competitiveness of key brands such as 'Geborin' and 'Anjeong-yeok' while identifying new growth opportunities. A graduate of Seoul National University’s College of Pharmacy, Kim has extensive experience in the field, having worked in hospitals and pharmacies before serving as the head of marketing planning at Hanmi Group's Online Farm and leading OTC marketing at Dongwha Pharmaceutical. He is recognized as an expert in the OTC and THC sectors, having led marketing strategies from product planning to execution. During his tenure at Dongwha Pharmaceutical, Kim significantly boosted OTC sales and improved the company's market ranking based on IQVIA data. He also redefined the positioning of key brands through consumer data analysis, helping them achieve market-leading status. Kim has demonstrated his capabilities in diversifying business by developing online and overseas distribution channels and exploring new categories such as dermacosmetics and pet healthcare. Samjin Pharmaceutical plans to leverage Kim's expertise in market data analysis and consumer insights to enhance the market competitiveness of 'Geborin' and 'Anjeong-yeok' and create new growth momentum for its consumer healthcare business. Kim Sang-jin, CEO of Samjin Pharmaceutical, stated, "We will strengthen brand competitiveness and discover new categories based on the experience and capabilities accumulated in the pharmaceutical industry to lead a resurgence in the consumer healthcare business." Meanwhile, Samjin Pharmaceutical was co-founded in 1968 by former Chairman Jo Ui-hwan and Chairman Choi Seung-joo. Jo's son, Jo Gyu-hyuk, and Choi's daughter, Choi Ji-hyun, serve as co-CEOs. Choi's younger daughter, Choi Ji-sun, is also employed at the company. The Jo family holds 13.41% of Samjin Pharmaceutical's shares, while the Choi family owns 10.32%.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-11 11:00:00
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Kolon Life Science Earns EcoVadis Gold Medal, Ranking in Top 3% Globally Kolon Life Science has received a Gold Medal from EcoVadis, a global sustainability assessment organization.On August 11, Kolon Life Science announced that it has been recognized in the top 3% of global Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) evaluations after earning the Gold Medal from EcoVadis.EcoVadis evaluates companies worldwide across four categories: environment, labor and human rights, ethics, and sustainable procurement. Since 2024, it has strengthened its assessment criteria by applying a relative evaluation method across all industries. Kolon Life Science achieved a score of 84 points under the enhanced criteria, earning the Gold Medal just one year after receiving a Silver Medal.In this evaluation, the company received high scores in the categories of environment (91 points), ethics (88 points), and labor and human rights (81 points). The company explained that its environmental management system and execution framework, along with certifications for ISO 37001 (anti-bribery management system) and ISO 37301 (compliance management system), contributed to its positive assessment. ISO 37001 and 37301 are standards established by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) that are awarded to organizations with systems in place to identify and control corruption and compliance risks.Additionally, Kolon Life Science has been publishing an annual sustainability management report since last year. The '2025 Sustainability Management Report' released last month includes plans for carbon neutrality, enhanced ESG management in the supply chain, the establishment of a sustainable procurement system, and the advancement of compliance management.Lee Han-guk, CEO of Kolon Life Science, stated, "The acquisition of the EcoVadis Gold Medal is a recognition of our ESG management efforts on a global scale. We will continue to enhance our sustainability management across environmental, human rights, ethics, and supply chain management to strengthen our corporate competitiveness."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-11 11:00:00
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CJ CheilJedang's Q2 operating profit slides on costs, weak home market SEOUL, August 11 (AJP) - CJ CheilJedang, South Korea's largest food and bioscience group, announced that its second-quarter operating profit fell sharply as sluggish domestic demand and oil-driven increases in packaging and raw material costs squeezed margins. According to regulatory filings released Tuesday, consolidated revenue edged up 1.7 percent from a year earlier to 7.36 trillion won (about $5.19 billion) in the April-June quarter, while operating profit dropped 27.1 percent to 257.6 billion won. Excluding logistics affiliate CJ Logistics, revenue climbed 10.2 percent to 4.20 trillion won and operating profit fell 18.4 percent to 161.9 billion won, the company said. The food division posted revenue of 2.84 trillion won, up 5.8 percent, but operating profit slid 21.3 percent to 70.9 billion won. Overseas food sales rose 10.1 percent to 1.51 trillion won, led by the company's global strategic products, chiefly frozen dumplings and Hetbahn instant rice. Growth was broad-based abroad, with sales up 10 percent in the Americas, 19 percent in Europe, 21 percent in the Asia-Pacific region and 5 percent in China. At home, revenue inched up 1.4 percent to 1.34 trillion won as new health-and-wellness products cushioned a weak won and softer selling prices. The bioscience arm lifted revenue 20.8 percent to 1.35 trillion won on stronger sales of lysine and specialty amino acids such as arginine and isoleucine, though operating profit fell 15.9 percent to 91.0 billion won amid fiercer competition in high-margin tryptophan. Foreign-exchange and derivative valuation losses pushed the unit-level business to a quarterly net loss of 23.9 billion won. "We will speed up the expansion of K-food into new global territory with global strategic products such as dumplings and Hetbahn, and focus on improving profitability through wider bioscience sales and cuts in manufacturing and fixed costs," said a CJ CheilJedang spokesperson. Shares of CJ CheilJedang traded at 192,900 won per stock at 10:51 a.m., 6.13 percent lower than the day before. AJP Takeaways • CJ CheilJedang reported on Aug. 11, 2026 that consolidated second-quarter revenue rose 1.7 percent from a year earlier to 7.36 trillion won while operating profit fell 27.1 percent to 257.6 billion won, as weak domestic demand and higher packaging and raw material costs squeezed margins. • Overseas food revenue rose 10.1 percent to 1.51 trillion won in the second quarter of 2026, with sales up 19 percent in Europe and 21 percent in the Asia-Pacific region, while bioscience revenue climbed 20.8 percent to 1.35 trillion won. • CJ CheilJedang said it will use a business restructuring taking effect in the third quarter of 2026 to expand global strategic products such as dumplings and Hetbahn instant rice and to cut manufacturing and fixed costs. 2026-08-11 10:55:55 -
South Korean thriller inspired by former first lady invited to Toronto film fest SEOUL, August 11 (AJP) - Director Hur Jin-ho's latest film "Assassin(s)" has been invited to this year's Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), which opens next month. The 131-minute thriller will be screened along with some 22 other films in the Gala Presentations of the annual festival, which runs from Sept. 10 to 20. Hur, alongside cast members Lee Min-ho, Park Hae-il and Yoo Hae-jin, will take part in various events including a red-carpet event to meet audiences. According to the TIFF, the film is a "large-canvas procedural about police and journalists determined to uncover a seemingly impenetrable conspiracy," based on the historical incident involving the attempted assassination of South Korean strongman Park Chung-hee's wife and first lady Yuk Young-soo, on Aug. 15, 1974. After getting its world premiere at the festival, the film is scheduled to hit local theaters her just in time for Chuseok, one of the country's biggest holidays. AJP Takeaways: - Hur Jin-ho's "Assassin(s)" has been invited to the 2026 Toronto International Film Festival, which runs from Sept. 10 to 20, 2026. - The 131-minute thriller will screen in the Gala Presentations section, alongside about 22 other films at the annual festival. - Director Hur Jin-ho and actors Lee Min-ho, Park Hae-il and Yoo Hae-jin will attend festival events, including a red-carpet event and audience engagements. - "Assassin(s)" is based on the Aug. 15, 1974, attempted assassination of former South Korean President Park Chung-hee’s wife and first lady, Yuk Young-soo. The film follows police and journalists seeking to uncover a seemingly impenetrable conspiracy. - "Assassin(s)" will make its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival before opening in Korean theaters around Chuseok, one of Korea's biggest holidays. 2026-08-11 10:55:28 -
CJ CheilJedang Reports 10% Revenue Growth Driven by K-Food Sales, Operating Profit Declines 18% CJ CheilJedang reported a double-digit revenue growth in the second quarter, fueled by increased overseas sales of global strategic products (GSP) such as dumplings and Hetbahn, along with a recovery in its bio business. However, domestic sluggishness and rising costs due to high oil prices led to a decline in operating profit.On August 11, CJ CheilJedang announced that its operating profit, excluding CJ Logistics, was 161.9 billion won, with revenue reaching 4.195 trillion won. Compared to the same period last year, operating profit decreased by 18.4%, while revenue increased by 10.2%.Including its subsidiary CJ Logistics, the consolidated operating profit was 257.6 billion won, and revenue totaled 7.3621 trillion won. Operating profit fell by 18.5% year-on-year, while revenue rose by 9.5%.The food division expanded its footprint primarily in overseas markets, reporting an operating profit of 70.9 billion won and revenue of 2.8441 trillion won. Although operating profit decreased by 21.3%, revenue grew by 5.8%. The increase in overseas sales of GSP products like dumplings and Hetbahn was supported by the growth of health and wellness (H&W) based new products in the domestic market.Overseas food sales reached 1.5072 trillion won, marking a 10.1% increase. In North America, sales grew by 10% due to expanded distribution channels for dumplings and Hetbahn. Europe saw a 19% increase driven by strong sales of dumplings, chicken, and noodles, while the Asia-Pacific region grew by 21% with frozen and shelf-stable products like dumplings, rolls, and seaweed. In China, sales increased by 5% due to higher sales of dumplings and frozen rice balls.Domestic food sales rose by 1.4% to 1.3369 trillion won. The materials business faced cost pressures from high exchange rates and declining selling prices, but sales of H&W based new products partially offset these challenges.Despite the growth in revenue, the profitability of the food business deteriorated. Continued sluggish domestic consumption and rising costs for packaging and raw materials due to high oil prices contributed to this decline. The drop in operating profit for the food business exceeded 20%, making cost management a key challenge for the second half of the year.The bio division reported an operating profit of 91 billion won and revenue of 1.3509 trillion won. While operating profit decreased by 15.9% year-on-year, revenue increased by 20.8%. The growth was driven by increased sales of specialty amino acids like arginine and isoleucine, as well as lysine. Although intensified competition in the tryptophan market and a high profit base from the previous year led to a decline in operating profit compared to last year, it increased by 855 billion won compared to the previous quarter.Additionally, the company recorded a net loss of 23.9 billion won in the second quarter due to foreign exchange transactions and derivative evaluation losses.CJ CheilJedang plans to focus on improving profitability starting in the third quarter, based on recent business unit rebalancing. The lifestyle food division will expand overseas sales of GSP products like dumplings and Hetbahn while strengthening high-margin product lines domestically. The materials business will push for increased sales in new ventures, and the core materials business will focus on improving performance in response to external environmental changes in the second half of the year.A CJ CheilJedang official stated, "We will accelerate the global expansion of K-food through our GSP products like dumplings and Hetbahn, while focusing on improving profitability through increased sales in the bio business and reducing manufacturing costs and fixed expenses."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-11 10:52:00
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Ansan Mayor Lee Min-keun Aims to Establish Unique Marine Healing Center Lee Min-keun, the mayor of Ansan, expressed his commitment on August 9 to establish a unique marine healing foundation in Ansan by leveraging the experiences from Usedom, a prominent marine healing resort in Germany. During his visit, Mayor Lee toured the Usedom Marine Healing Center and a rehabilitation hospital, examining local healing programs, facility operations, professional staffing, and user-centered services. Currently in Germany, Mayor Lee is experiencing advanced marine healing and rehabilitation systems firsthand and has signed a memorandum of understanding for cooperation with the Usedom Marine Healing Rehabilitation Hospital, aiming to develop a new healing and rehabilitation model utilizing Ansan's marine resources. He particularly engaged in various programs, including a 'Children's Healing Forest' and activities like mist spraying and yoga, assessing the facilities and programs from a user perspective. This visit was not merely a facility tour; it involved a detailed examination of the healing process, user flow, and facility convenience, which is significant for finding a practical operational model applicable to the future Ansan Marine Healing Center. Mayor Lee held discussions with Usedom officials, exchanging insights on operational experiences in marine healing and rehabilitation, program development, professional training, and facility management systems. The focus of their collaboration is to evolve marine healing beyond mere tourism into an industry linked to health management and rehabilitation. Following this, they signed a memorandum of understanding for 'Cooperation in Marine Healing and Rehabilitation,' which includes sharing information and operational cases, collaborating on healing process development, training professionals, sharing facility management systems, and identifying joint projects. With Mayor Lee's direct engagement and the establishment of an international cooperation foundation, this collaboration is expected to lead to a new regional industry model that combines tourism, health, and rehabilitation utilizing Ansan's marine resources. Local citizens have expressed optimism about this international collaboration. Residents believe that given Ansan's rich marine and natural environment, including Daebudo and Shihwa Lake, it is essential to create differentiated marine healing programs tailored to the local environment and community rather than simply adopting foreign models. One citizen stated, "Ansan has many resources that can differentiate it from other cities, such as the sea, islands, and Shihwa Lake. I hope that by referencing Germany's advanced operational methods, we can develop marine healing facilities and programs that citizens can actually use and experience." Another citizen remarked, "If marine healing can not only attract tourists but also contribute to citizens' health management and invigorate the local economy, it would be significant. I hope this international cooperation leads to tangible projects rather than being a one-time visit." Mayor Lee Min-keun noted, "Through this visit, I was able to directly experience marine healing and confirm what facilities and operational methods are needed from a user perspective." He added, "Having established a practical foundation for exchange and cooperation with the Usedom Marine Healing Center and Rehabilitation Hospital, I will actively integrate their excellent operational experiences to fit Ansan's conditions." Meanwhile, Mayor Lee plans to continuously share advanced marine healing and rehabilitation experiences from Usedom and develop programs and operational systems suited to Ansan's marine environment and regional characteristics.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-11 10:48:10