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  • Stray Kids Releases Two Remix Digital Singles for This & That
    Stray Kids Releases Two Remix Digital Singles for 'This & That' Group Stray Kids is set to enhance the listening experience of their new song 'This & That' with the release of two remix digital singles.Stray Kids will unveil the digital single 'This & That This Remixes' on August 10 at 1 PM. Following that, they will release 'This & That That Remixes' on August 12 at 1 PM, expanding the appeal of the new track.On August 7, Stray Kids released their mini album 'This & That' along with the title track of the same name. The song 'This & That,' produced by the group's production team 3RACHA—Bang Chan, Changbin, and Han—is a groovy track rooted in hip-hop.The 'This & That This Remixes' set to be released on August 10 will include the original version of the title track, an instrumental, as well as the 'This & That This Version' and 'This & That Chill Version.' The 'This & That Chill Version' and 'This & That Cool Version' were pre-released on iTunes on August 8.Meanwhile, Stray Kids is set to meet fans worldwide through their new world tour 'RUN IT.' They kicked off the tour with five successful performances at the KSPO DOME and will hold solo concerts at the Tokyo National Stadium on August 29 and 30.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-09 17:40:00
  • Naver and Kakao Pursue Different AI Strategies
    Naver and Kakao Pursue Different AI Strategies South Korea's two major platform companies, Naver and Kakao, are adopting different strategies to enhance their artificial intelligence (AI) competitiveness. Naver is embarking on a large-scale AI infrastructure project in partnership with global firms, while Kakao is concentrating on expanding its agent-based AI services.According to industry reports, this divergence was evident during the companies' second-quarter earnings announcements held earlier this month. Naver anticipates that demand for computing will continue to rise with the spread of AI, whereas Kakao believes that the high profitability of infrastructure projects may not be sustainable in the long term.Naver CEO Choi Soo-yeon emphasized that the AI factory is “an investment in a structurally growing market, not a one-time project.” She explained that as computing costs decrease, the adoption of AI and agent utilization will increase, leading to a rise in overall computing demand.Based on this market outlook, Naver is pursuing an 'AI factory' project worth up to $10 billion in collaboration with Nvidia and Brookfield. The service is set to launch in the first half of next year with a capacity of 55 megawatts (MW), expanding to 100 MW by the end of the same year and aiming for 200 MW by 2028, with long-term plans to scale up to gigawatt (GW) levels.In the second quarter of this year, Naver reported revenues of 3.3888 trillion won, a 16.2% increase from the same period last year, but its operating profit fell by 0.2% to 520.3 billion won. As the AI factory project gains momentum, managing investment burdens while ensuring stable operating rates with external clients is seen as a challenge.Naver plans to reduce initial investment burdens by leveraging partner capital. Nvidia is expected to participate in a capital increase of about $1 billion, while Brookfield will invest up to $9 billion through a special purpose vehicle. The construction of GPUs and data centers will be funded by external capital, while Naver's subsidiaries will handle service operations.In contrast, Kakao has opted to focus on its B2C (business-to-consumer) operations rather than making large-scale infrastructure investments. Kakao CEO Jeong Shin-ae stated, “The expected return on investment for infrastructure projects like establishing AI data centers is not high compared to the financial burden,” adding that Kakao will concentrate on its competitive B2C AI services.Kakao showed growth in its existing B2C platform business in the second quarter, reporting revenues of 2.0985 trillion won and an operating profit of 277 billion won, marking increases of 9.4% and 35.9%, respectively, from the previous year. The platform segment, which includes TalkBiz, commerce, and mobility/payments, also saw a 17% rise in revenue, reaching 1.2303 trillion won.Kakao plans to leverage its B2C business foundation to expand its agent-based AI services that connect user intentions to ordering, payment, and reservation through KakaoTalk in partnership with other companies.The first collaboration is with Coupang Eats. Kakao will link the 'Kanana in KakaoTalk' with Coupang Eats' agent to recommend menus tailored to conversation context and preferences. Additionally, users will be able to complete orders and payments without leaving the KakaoTalk chat room.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-09 17:36:10
  • Korean Football Association Faces Fallout from Referee Scandal
    Korean Football Association Faces Fallout from Referee Scandal The Korean Football Association is facing a growing scandal after revelations that it provided sexual favors to foreign referees in the past. The controversy has intensified with confirmation that some of the matches involved were part of the final qualifiers for the 2012 London Olympics, raising concerns about potential Olympic medal revocation and possible sanctions from FIFA.According to a recently released 2016 audit report from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and comprehensive materials provided by the office of Democratic Party lawmaker Jin Sun-mi on August 7, the Football Association offered sexual favors to over ten foreign referees and officials during seven national team friendly matches and Olympic team games held in South Korea from March 2011 to March 2012. Payments were made using corporate credit cards at massage parlors in Seoul's Gangnam district, Changwon, and Ulsan, ranging from hundreds of thousands to over one million won.In the seven matches where the referees and officials were involved, South Korea achieved an undefeated record of five wins and two draws. This included the final qualifying matches against Oman (2-0 win) and Qatar (0-0 draw), which allowed South Korea to advance to the Olympics and ultimately win its first Olympic bronze medal. The matches also included a 2-0 victory against Kuwait in the third round of the 2014 Brazil World Cup qualifiers.The scandal has attracted significant international media attention, highlighting issues of administrative dysfunction and ethical breaches in Korean football. Japanese media outlet The World criticized the inappropriate hospitality extended to referees overseeing international matches, stating it undermines the fairness and ethics of sports. Chunichi Sports raised suspicions that such misconduct may have been habitual since the 2002 Korea-Japan World Cup.The International Business Times in the UK noted that the situation could lead to official sanctions from FIFA and reforms in the governance of the Football Association.The International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), which oversaw the matches in question, strictly prohibit any direct or indirect actions related to match-fixing through their disciplinary and ethical codes. There are clear regulations that allow for the revocation of medals if these rules are violated.However, the likelihood of actual medal revocation or official sanctions from FIFA appears low. There has been no precedent for Olympic medals being rescinded due to referee bribery, and the statute of limitations for prosecutable offenses has already expired.In particular, the determination of penalties and the statute of limitations for misconduct in football are primarily based on FIFA's ethical guidelines. According to these guidelines, the statute of limitations for general violations is five years, while it is ten years for bribery and corruption. Nearly 15 years have passed since the incidents occurred, far exceeding the stipulated time frames. Unless the misconduct involved serious offenses like sexual exploitation, the standard statute of limitations applies, and most of the referees involved have since retired, making retroactive sanctions structurally difficult.The Football Association also anticipates a low likelihood of substantial sanctions from international bodies. A representative stated on August 7, "Given that these events occurred 15 years ago, it is expected that international organizations will find it difficult to take direct action against the association due to the statute of limitations. However, we cannot completely rule out the possibility of sanctions, so we are closely monitoring the situation."Internal disciplinary actions within the Football Association are also unlikely to materialize. A representative noted, "A significant amount of time has passed since the incidents, and most individuals who could clarify the situation have either retired or left the organization, making it impossible to ascertain the facts internally. Previous disciplinary committee results and notifications were only communicated to the individuals involved, with no internal sharing. The retention period for related documents is only five years, so it is currently impossible to clearly determine past actions."Furthermore, the representative added, "Since the incidents, a 'clean card' system has been implemented, and the use of corporate cards is now strictly controlled. The assignment of referees has also been restructured to be managed by short-term contract employees, making it structurally impossible for similar misconduct to occur as in the past."Government or sports sector sanctions also seem unlikely. A Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism official explained, "In 2016, we received reports related to payments at massage parlors and sexual favors through the Sports Corruption Reporting Center and requested an investigation from the police on December 7, 2016, to verify the facts. However, the police investigation in 2017 concluded with insufficient evidence for charges of breach of duty, resulting in no charges being filed. At the time of the investigation request, we demanded severe penalties from the Korean Sports Council, but the conclusion of no charges led to the matter being resolved without any disciplinary decisions."The official added, "If the Football Association were to face international sanctions, the Ministry could consider disciplinary actions based on regulations. However, at this point, that is premature to discuss."Even if the association avoids international sanctions, this scandal, which has escalated into a global 'sexual favor scandal,' leaves a significant blemish on the integrity and trust that Korean football has built over decades.In response to the intense public criticism and backlash, the Football Association issued an official statement on August 8, expressing regret. The association stated, "We, as an organization that should demonstrate fair sportsmanship, have lost our fundamental function and find ourselves in a devastating situation. We sincerely apologize for the various issues related to the association, including the unprecedented police raid and reports about events from over a decade ago that many of our internal members were unaware of."They continued, "We will take this widespread external criticism to heart and use it as an opportunity for thorough reform. We will continue to engage in self-reflection and rigorous efforts for a better future for Korean football. We will also enhance the transparency and morality of our organizational culture to meet the heightened external standards and expectations." 2026-08-09 17:36:00
  • Long-Lasting IPs Transition to Idle Games, Extending Their Lifespan
    Long-Lasting IPs Transition to Idle Games, Extending Their Lifespan Domestic game companies are increasingly releasing idle games based on long-lasting intellectual properties (IPs). This strategy combines established characters and worlds with simple growth mechanics to attract new users and extend the lifespan of the IPs.According to the gaming industry on August 9, Dev Sisters and Wemade Max launched 'Cookie Run: Crumble' and 'Wind Runner: Idle' last month, respectively. Including Netmarble's 'Stone Age: Idle,' which was released in March, three idle games based on long-lasting IPs have been launched this year.The new titles quickly rose to the top of app market rankings. As of August 9, Cookie Run: Crumble ranked fifth in Google Play revenue and second in popularity, while also achieving the top spot in the Apple App Store. Wind Runner: Idle reached the number one position in both app markets just four days after its release.Cookie Run, which originated from the mobile running game 'OvenBreak' in 2009, celebrates its 17th anniversary this year. The franchise has since evolved into social role-playing games (RPGs), puzzles, and cooperative action games, with Cookie Run: Crumble marking its first foray into the idle genre.Wind Runner, launched in 2013 and boasting over 25 million downloads globally, has been reimagined by integrating the original running mechanics with an idle growth system. Stone Age: Idle restructured the pet capturing, collecting, and nurturing elements of the original game, which debuted in 1999, into a more straightforward growth framework.Idle games are characterized by low player engagement, allowing characters to progress without active participation. For developers, these games typically require less time and financial investment compared to large-scale MMORPGs. Utilizing well-known IPs also lowers the entry barrier for new players.The shift of long-lasting game IPs to the idle genre has been influenced by the growth of the idle RPG market. According to market research firm Sensor Tower, the share of massively multiplayer online role-playing games (MMORPGs) in domestic mobile RPG revenue dropped from 78.8% in the first half of 2020 to 56.2% in the first half of 2024. In contrast, idle RPGs increased from 1.7% to 16% during the same period.The success of Netmarble's 'Seven Knights: Idle,' released in 2023, has drawn attention to idle RPGs as a key strategy for major game companies to expand their IPs. Previously, idle RPGs were considered a niche genre for small and indie developers. Based on the Seven Knights IP, Seven Knights: Idle reached second place in Google Play revenue and first in the Apple App Store just five days after its launch, generating $40 million (approximately 52 billion won) in global revenue within 55 days.The potential for idle RPGs was further confirmed by Nexon's 'Maple Idle,' which surpassed an estimated $100 million (approximately 146 billion won) in global revenue within 45 days of its release last November. As of August 9, it ranked fourth in Google Play revenue, continuing its long-term success.Game companies are accelerating the development of new idle titles based on long-lasting IPs. Nexon plans to release 'Dungeon Fighter: Idle' within the year, while Neople is developing an idle project based on the same IP, titled 'Project DL.'However, industry experts note that while the recognition of long-lasting IPs is effective for attracting initial users, it does not guarantee long-term success. Following the launch of Seven Knights: Idle, Netmarble has struggled to replicate similar success with subsequent idle games. Wind Runner: Idle, despite reaching the top of the app market rankings within four days, fell to 57th in the Apple App Store and 93rd in Google Play revenue a week after its release. 2026-08-09 17:36:00
  • Ruling Party Faces Criticism Over Economic Policy Discrepancies
    Ruling Party Faces Criticism Over Economic Policy Discrepancies As the Democratic Party and the government continue to misalign on economic policies related to real estate, finance, and taxation, the opposition is launching a vigorous attack. The People Power Party has reactivated its special committee on real estate policy after a 10-month hiatus to focus on what it sees as the Achilles' heel of the progressive government.On August 9, People Power Party leader Jang Dong-hyuk stated on Facebook, "What young people want is a proper financial market that prevents their lives from being ruined by stocks and a solid real estate plan that allows them to buy homes through hard work." He criticized the recent real estate and finance policies from the government and ruling party that contradict public sentiment. Earlier, on August 7, he convened a full meeting of the real estate special committee, which he chairs, to intensify the party's offensive against the government. The committee is also planning site visits related to real estate.Party spokesperson Choi Bo-yun expressed disappointment during a press briefing, saying, "The People Power Party advocates cooperation with local governments and the activation of private supply, but the government is not listening to our concrete alternatives. Policies are being implemented without any collaboration between the ruling and opposition parties."Internal discord within the ruling party is also providing ammunition for criticism. A notable example occurred on August 7 when Democratic Party lawmaker Hwang Hee proposed the idea of converting old buses into temporary housing for young people, only to retract it amid controversy. Spokesperson Kang Jun-hyun dismissed the proposal as a personal opinion unrelated to the party's stance. Policy chief Han Jeong-ae later urged the public to view the incident as a "happening" and apologized for the distress caused to young people.Choi further remarked that the bus house concept illustrates the severe disconnect between the Lee Jae-myung administration's real estate policies and reality, stating, "The government lacks the capability to present proper urban housing supply measures, resorting instead to deceptive alternatives that mock the younger generation."In response to the turmoil caused by single-stock leveraged exchange-traded funds (ETFs), the People Power Party has called for a national investigation and special counsel to clarify the circumstances surrounding the early launch of these products and to hold responsible parties accountable. The party has raised concerns about the extreme volatility in the domestic stock market, noting that circuit breakers were triggered seven times within two months following the launch of the single-stock leveraged ETFs, leading to significant losses for individual investors.The controversy surrounding the single-stock leveraged ETFs has also become a point of contention among candidates for the Democratic Party leadership. Candidate Jeong Cheong-rae questioned Kim Min-seok, who was Prime Minister at the time of the product's launch, asking, "Shouldn't you apologize?" Kim's camp countered that there was a lack of communication between the party and the government in the past.The tax reform proposal announced on August 3 has also revealed discord between the government and the ruling party. Democratic Party lawmakers Lee Hoon-ki and Lee So-young publicly opposed measures aimed at preventing stock price suppression. President Lee Jae-myung has since directed a comprehensive review of the individual comprehensive asset management account (ISA) and the stock price suppression prevention measures. The Democratic Party plans to prepare a revised tax reform proposal for submission to the National Assembly after gathering various opinions and coordinating between the party and the government. This adjustment plan is expected to be released by the end of this month.As the government and ruling party continue to face criticism over their economic policies, the Reform Party has pointed out the absence of the 'centrist and pragmatic' approach that President Lee Jae-myung advocates. Spokesperson Lee Dong-hoon commented on August 7, stating, "The Lee Jae-myung administration is like Don Quixote charging at the windmills of the market. It must stop attacking imaginary foes and face reality, as a power that ignores reality cannot avoid a fall."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-09 17:32:00
  • Fire at Saudi Aramco Refinery; Houthi Rebels Claim Drone Strike
    Fire at Saudi Aramco Refinery; Houthi Rebels Claim Drone Strike The Houthi rebels claimed to have attacked Saudi Arabia's state-owned oil company Aramco's Jizan refinery using drones.On August 9, Yahya Saree, a military spokesperson for the Houthi rebels, stated, "We successfully struck the Aramco refinery in Jizan with drones," adding that the attack was carried out with precision. He claimed the assault was a response to Saudi incursions into northwestern Yemen.Saudi authorities reported a fire at a facility associated with the Aramco refinery in Jizan early that morning, stating on social media platform X (formerly Twitter) that firefighting efforts were underway. No casualties were reported, but the cause of the fire and the extent of damage to the facility were not disclosed.Jizan is located on the southwestern coast of Saudi Arabia, approximately 60 kilometers from the Yemeni border. Its geographical position places it within the range of Houthi attacks, which have targeted Saudi oil facilities in the past.On July 25, the Houthis claimed to have struck the Aramco refinery in Jizan with missiles in retaliation for Saudi attacks on the Hodeidah port, which they control. Following that incident, operations at the facility were temporarily halted two days later.The Jizan refinery has a processing capacity of up to 400,000 barrels of crude oil per day and includes refining, petrochemical facilities, and a gas combined cycle power plant.Clashes between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis have intensified recently. Since 2015, Saudi Arabia has supported the internationally recognized Yemeni government in the civil war against the Houthis, and hostilities have continued even after a ceasefire in 2022.As the conflict between the U.S. and Iran drags on, regional tensions are escalating. The Iran-backed Houthis have recently declared a maritime blockade against Saudi Arabia and have attacked Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea, while Saudi Arabia has responded with airstrikes on Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-09 17:12:00
  • SK Hynix to Invest 54 Trillion Won in New AI Memory Facilities in Korea
    SK Hynix to Invest 54 Trillion Won in New AI Memory Facilities in Korea SK Hynix is set to make a massive investment of approximately 54 trillion won to expand its cutting-edge artificial intelligence (AI) memory production facilities in Yongin and Cheongju. The company plans to optimize its assets by selling its less profitable production line in Chongqing, China, while enhancing its capacity to meet the growing demand for high-bandwidth memory (HBM) and next-generation NAND flash. According to industry sources, SK Hynix's board recently approved new investments totaling around 54.3 trillion won, including 35.2 trillion won for the Yongin Semiconductor Cluster Phase 2 fab (Y2) and 19.1 trillion won for the Cheongju M17 fab. This move marks the beginning of the company's long-term expansion plan announced at the end of June, aimed at timely securing production capacity to meet the surging global demand for AI memory. The core of this domestic investment is the establishment of a next-generation AI memory base. Construction of the Yongin Y2 fab, which will cover an area of 112,727 square meters (approximately 34,100 pyeong), is set to begin in July 2024, with the first cleanroom expected to be operational by 2029. SK Hynix envisions the Yongin Y2 fab as a leading facility for producing advanced HBM and next-generation DRAM in the global market. Similarly, the Cheongju M17 fab, which will also begin construction in February 2024, aims to open its cleanroom by the end of 2028, establishing a premium NAND line. At the same time, the company is pursuing asset optimization, including the sale of its packaging plant in Chongqing. According to reports from Bloomberg and other outlets, SK Hynix is in discussions with Chinese funds and local semiconductor companies regarding the sale, which is estimated to be valued at around $3 billion (approximately 4 trillion won). The Chongqing plant, which began mass production in July 2014, has served as a post-processing hub for general-purpose NAND flash packaging. However, due to declining production competitiveness and operational inefficiencies, the company has initiated a restructuring of its general-purpose lines in China. It plans to reduce fixed costs by outsourcing semiconductor packaging and testing (OSAT), thereby improving overall production efficiency. Industry analysts view this significant domestic investment as a move to strengthen the advanced semiconductor ecosystem centered in South Korea. This shift away from expanding overseas production facilities for cost-cutting purposes reflects a trend toward 'value chain solidification,' focusing on technology protection and supply chain stability. The collaboration with the government, local authorities, and domestic materials and parts companies to establish a testbed within the Yongin cluster is also seen as an extension of efforts to enhance the domestic ecosystem. As the AI memory market intensifies competition for timely supply capabilities, the importance of securing proactive infrastructure has grown. This investment aims to maximize market responsiveness by accelerating fab construction and cleanroom availability in line with rising memory demand from big tech companies. Ahn Gi-hyun, executive director of the Korea Semiconductor Industry Association, stated, "In a situation where uncertainties in the global supply chain are increasing, focusing on advanced domestic bases is an inevitable choice. This will further strengthen the competitiveness of the domestic semiconductor ecosystem centered around Yongin and Cheongju."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-09 17:04:10
  • Japans Departure Tax Triples for Travelers Starting July
    Japan's Departure Tax Triples for Travelers Starting July As travelers plan trips to Japan for the upcoming Liberation Day holiday, they should be aware of increased travel costs. The departure tax, known as the international tourism passenger tax, has tripled since last month.According to Japan's Ministry of Finance and the National Tax Agency, the tax was raised from 1,000 yen to 3,000 yen per person starting July 1.This tax applies to travelers departing Japan, including both foreign tourists and Japanese citizens traveling abroad.Japan introduced the international tourism passenger tax in 2019, charging a set amount for each departure via air or sea.With the new tax, a family of four would see their departure tax burden increase from 4,000 yen to 12,000 yen.However, it is uncommon for travelers to pay the 3,000 yen directly at the airport. Airlines or shipping companies typically collect the tax from travelers and remit it to the Japanese government, usually included in the ticket price.Not all travelers are subject to the 3,000 yen tax. According to the National Tax Agency, children under two years old and certain transit passengers who leave within 24 hours of entering Japan are exempt.There are also exceptions related to the timing of travel contracts. If a transportation contract was signed before July 1 under specific conditions, the previous tax rate of 1,000 yen may apply for departures after that date. Therefore, travelers should verify the actual amount based on their ticketing and contract details.The Japanese government plans to use the revenue from the tax increase to address overtourism, improve the capacity of tourist sites, and enhance immigration and customs environments.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-09 17:04:10
  • Samsung Electronics Accelerates HVAC Business to Offset Home Appliance Decline
    Samsung Electronics Accelerates HVAC Business to Offset Home Appliance Decline Samsung Electronics is ramping up its heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) business. This year, the company has participated in major exhibitions in North America and Europe, secured large overseas contracts, and launched heat pumps domestically, all aimed at developing a new growth engine to counteract poor performance in its device experience (DX) division.On August 9, Samsung announced a partnership with the Oak Ridge National Laboratory under the U.S. Department of Energy to develop next-generation heating technology that operates reliably in temperatures below -30 degrees Celsius. The company plans to unveil a demonstration site for its next-generation 'EHS All-in-One' system in Jeju on August 10.In April, Samsung officially launched its air-source EHS heat pump boiler in South Korea, expanding its previously Europe-centric heat pump business into the domestic market as the government pushes for electrification of heating.The company is also accelerating its overseas market penetration. In June, it agreed to supply over 3,000 system air conditioners to a luxury residential complex in Gurugram, India, and last month announced plans to provide over 1,000 HVAC solutions to more than 100 mosques across eight cities in Saudi Arabia. This marks a shift from residential air conditioning sales to a broader B2B approach, supplying complete HVAC systems for construction projects.Samsung is focusing on enhancing its brand recognition. After participating in the AHR Expo in the U.S. in February, it set up a booth at MCE, Europe’s largest HVAC exhibition, in March. The company also showcased its first joint exhibition with Flakt Group, which it acquired last year.Industry analysts view Samsung's recent moves as an effort to catch up with LG Electronics, which has been leading the B2B HVAC market with its chillers and heat pumps for data centers and commercial and industrial applications. Samsung's strategy to gain ground involves acquisitions and partnerships. In North America, it established a joint venture with Lennox to strengthen its distribution network and product competitiveness, and the acquisition of Flakt has expanded its offerings to include central air conditioning for large commercial facilities and data centers.The ultimate goal is to establish the HVAC business as a new growth driver for the DX division. While home appliances are significantly affected by economic conditions and replacement demand, the HVAC sector can secure substantial contracts and maintenance revenue as investments in buildings and data centers continue. The expansion of AI data centers is also a factor driving market growth.An industry insider noted, "Since LG has been developing B2B HVAC as a future business first, it will be difficult for Samsung to close the gap by simply adding a few products. The recent push for simultaneous acquisitions, technology development, and overseas contracts indicates that HVAC has become a high priority within the DX division."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-09 17:04:00
  • Shipbuilders Exceed Shipping Order Targets, Shift Focus to Profitability
    Shipbuilders Exceed Shipping Order Targets, Shift Focus to Profitability Major South Korean shipbuilders have met their shipping order targets for the year ahead of schedule, shifting their focus in the second half to profitability rather than volume. With several years' worth of work already secured, they plan to fill remaining dock space with high-value liquefied natural gas (LNG) carriers, eco-friendly vessels, and offshore plants.According to the shipbuilding industry on August 9, Samsung Heavy Industries has achieved its shipping order target early this year. As of August 3, the company reported cumulative orders of 34 vessels worth $5.8 billion, reaching 102% of its annual target of $5.7 billion.The orders include 14 LNG carriers, two ethane carriers, four gas carriers, two container ships, and 12 oil tankers, focusing on relatively profitable vessel types.However, the overall annual target has not yet been met. Cumulative orders, including two floating LNG production facilities (FLNG), total $10.2 billion, which is 73% of the annual goal of $13.9 billion. As a result, there is a strong likelihood of focusing on large offshore projects in the second half.HD Korea Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering's shipbuilding affiliates secured $16.38 billion in orders for the shipping sector in the first half of the year, achieving 96.2% of their annual target. HD Hyundai Heavy Industries has already surpassed its individual annual order target.In the first half, HD Korea Shipbuilding secured orders for 38 very large gas carriers (VLGC), 17 LNG carriers, and one floating LNG storage and regasification unit. Additionally, they have sufficient work secured in tankers, container ships, and car carriers, with over 500 vessels in backlog, representing about 3.5 years of work.Hanwha Ocean has been slower in securing new orders compared to HD Korea Shipbuilding and Samsung Heavy Industries but continues its selective order strategy. As of the end of June, Hanwha Ocean reported 24 new orders worth $3.8 billion, with a total backlog of 153 vessels valued at $33.77 billion.Notably, Hanwha Ocean expanded its orders in the first half, focusing on VLCCs. A significant portion of LNG slots has also been filled. During a conference call last month, Hanwha Ocean stated, "Due to last year's order expansion, our delivery slots are effectively exhausted until 2028, and we are currently negotiating with customers for deliveries in 2029 and 2030," adding, "We are also pursuing sales for slots in the first half of 2031."Hanwha Ocean considers not only commercial vessels but also special ships as a key part of its orders. The company is targeting the U.S. Navy shipbuilding projects in collaboration with the Philadelphia shipyard and is building a portfolio that includes both commercial and special vessels. In the commercial sector, it aims to secure profitability through high-value vessels like LNG carriers and VLCCs while adding long-term work in special vessels.A shipbuilding industry official commented, "The results show that domestic shipbuilders are expanding their order portfolios centered on high-value vessels, and we expect profitability improvements to continue without issues."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-09 17:04:00