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Police Raid Korean Football Association Amid Hong Myung-bo Appointment Investigation Police have launched a raid on the Korean Football Association (KFA) as part of an investigation into the appointment process of former national team coach Hong Myung-bo.The Financial Crimes Investigation Unit of the Seoul Metropolitan Police began the raid at 9 a.m. on August 6, sending investigators to multiple locations, including the KFA's headquarters in Cheonan, South Chungcheong Province, and the football association building in Jongno, Seoul, to secure relevant documents.The search warrant reportedly cites charges of obstruction of business, marking the first time police have conducted a raid on the KFA in this matter.Authorities plan to thoroughly examine internal documents and evaluation records obtained during the search to determine whether there was any undue interference or procedural issues involving former KFA President Chung Mong-kyu and others during the recommendation and final decision stages for the national team coach in 2024.Previously, the civic group Citizens' Livelihood Countermeasures Committee filed a complaint against Chung and former KFA Technical Director Lee Im-sang, alleging they abused their authority to pressure the Strengthening Committee into appointing Hong, accusing them of obstruction of business and breach of trust.On July 1, the Financial Crimes Investigation Unit received nine related complaints from the Jongno Police Station and has since summoned relevant individuals for questioning. On July 9, they interviewed former Strengthening Committee member Park Joo-ho, followed by summons for A, a former committee member, and B, a former KFA vice president, on July 14.Notably, just two days before the raid, on August 4, Hong was summoned for the first time as a suspect and was reportedly questioned intensively about the entire process leading to his appointment.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-06 11:28:00 -
Seragem Launches Renewed IoT App with AI Recommendation Feature Seragem announced the launch of its renewed IoT application on August 6, enhancing its customer-oriented health management services with a new AI recommendation feature.The Seragem IoT app is designed to allow users to conveniently control and manage Seragem's healthcare products through their smartphones. It offers features such as product registration, management, control, and smart remote functions via Bluetooth. The app has recorded a cumulative download count of 96,967, supporting customers in their smart home healthcare experiences.The key aspect of this renewal is the expansion of the IoT app from a product control focus to a wellness platform that supports customers' health management experiences. The existing product-centered menu has been restructured based on Seragem's '7-Care' categories, including spine care, exercise care, and energy care, to provide a more intuitive user experience tailored to individual health goals.The newly implemented AI-based personalized recommendation feature analyzes the product usage history of members linked to the Master V Collection over the past week to suggest suitable massage modes and health routines. For members without a product usage history, the app proposes recommended modes based on average usage patterns of individuals in the same age group and gender. This aims to facilitate personalized health management for everyone, regardless of their usage frequency.The app also enhances health management features that reflect users' living environments. It provides health management guides based on real-time weather information and suggests health routines that align with seasonal and temperature changes, helping customers maintain healthy habits in their daily lives.The new design reflects Seragem's brand philosophy. The app icon and intro screen feature an 'AI' design inspired by a home motif, symbolizing the concept of a 'wellness home' that extends health management solutions throughout the living space.Earlier this year, Seragem's 'AI Wellness Home' exhibition, unveiled at CES 2026, received a bronze award at the Boss Awards, organized by The Experiential Design Authority, recognizing its innovative design and experience.A Seragem representative stated, "This renewal maintains the existing product control functions while adding AI-based recommendations and lifestyle-oriented health content, enabling customers to manage their health more easily and systematically in their daily lives. We will continue to strive to provide optimized health management experiences for each individual based on AI and data, working towards creating an AI wellness home ecosystem."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-06 11:24:20
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Trump Consults Fed Chair Kevin Warsh on Iran War and Other Issues President Donald Trump has been in frequent contact with Kevin Warsh, the newly appointed chair of the Federal Reserve, seeking advice on issues including the Iran war, according to multiple sources cited by the Wall Street Journal on August 5.Reports indicate that Trump has called Warsh multiple times over several days, alternating between intense communication and periods of silence. During these calls, Trump sought Warsh's insights on various topics, including the impact of the Iran conflict and the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence on the economy.However, it remains unclear whether Trump and Warsh discussed monetary policy, the Journal reported. One source noted that since Warsh's nomination was confirmed by the Senate, Trump has not broached the subject of interest rates with him.Despite this, the frequency of calls between a president and a central bank chair, who is expected to maintain independence in monetary policy, is considered unusual. The Journal pointed out that in recent decades, meetings between presidents and Fed chairs have typically been formal to avoid the impression of presidential interference in monetary policy.Trump, who has advocated for interest rate cuts, has previously criticized the Federal Reserve under former chair Jerome Powell. His communications with Warsh have raised concerns about the Fed's independence. Sources indicated that Warsh has often expressed a positive outlook on the current U.S. economy during his conversations with Trump. He even praised the strong growth of corporate investment at a public event last week.On the other hand, the Journal suggested that Warsh's friendly approach toward Trump may be an effort to dispel the perception that the Fed is antagonistic toward the president. One source mentioned that Trump has complimented Warsh's appearance after seeing him on television. Additionally, during last week's Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting, where a decision to maintain interest rates was anticipated, Trump defended Warsh, stating he knows Warsh is trying to do the "right thing," while also criticizing the Fed board, which includes former chair Powell.Meanwhile, Democratic members of the Senate Banking Committee, which oversees the Fed, asked Warsh last month if he would disclose his contact records, including communications with Trump, similar to what Powell had done. Warsh responded that he would comply with the law but declined to answer questions about whether he had spoken with Trump. He stated, "The president has never attempted to influence the execution of monetary policy before I took office as chair, nor has he done so since I raised my right hand to take the oath. Even if he did, I would quietly fulfill my role." 2026-08-06 11:24:00
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Special Prosecutors Summon Han Dong-hoon for Testimony on Emergency Martial Law Meeting The second special prosecutor team, led by Kwon Chang-young, has summoned independent lawmaker Han Dong-hoon, who attended the ruling party-government-presidential office meeting and an evening gathering the day after the emergency martial law was declared on December 3, 2024.On the morning of August 6, the special prosecutors announced, "We will summon lawmaker Han, who attended the party-government meeting and the evening gathering as the party leader, as a witness on August 12."The special prosecutors plan to investigate the circumstances of Han's attendance at the party-government meeting on December 4, 2024, the content discussed at that meeting, and its connection to the subsequent evening gathering.Additionally, the special prosecutors are expected to investigate whether Han was involved in the development of the rationale justifying the emergency martial law during the party-government meeting and the evening gathering.At that time, Han attended the party-government meeting in his capacity as the leader of the People Power Party. He later participated in an emergency parliamentary meeting, where he told reporters, "The martial law cannot be merely a warning," and conveyed demands for former President Yoon Suk-yeol to resign from the party.Previously, the Seoul Central District Court's Criminal Division 33, presided over by Judge Lee Jin-kwan, sentenced former Justice Minister Park Sung-jae to 25 years in prison for his involvement in a coup-related charge. The court determined that plans to respond to the impeachment of former President Yoon were discussed during the party-government meeting.Following this, Park instructed former Prosecutor General Im Se-jin to draft a document justifying the martial law, and attendees of the evening gathering reportedly constructed a rationale for the legitimacy and necessity of the emergency martial law based on this document, which was then reported to former President Yoon.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-06 11:20:00
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Won Hee-ryong Appears Again for Investigation into Yangpyeong Expressway Allegations Former Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Won Hee-ryong appeared again before the special investigation team led by Kwon Chang-young to face inquiries regarding allegations of preferential treatment and the cancellation of the Seoul-Yangpyeong Expressway project.The special investigation team summoned Won at 10 a.m. on August 6 at their office in Gwacheon, Gyeonggi Province, where he is being investigated as a suspect for abuse of authority and obstruction of the exercise of rights. This marks the second time he has been questioned, following his initial appearance on July 23.The allegations regarding the change in the endpoint of the Seoul-Yangpyeong Expressway emerged after the Yoon Suk-yeol administration shifted the endpoint from Yangseo-myeon in Yangpyeong County, Gyeonggi Province, to Gangsan-myeon, where land owned by First Lady Kim Kun-hee's family is located.The original endpoint in Yangseo-myeon had been actively pursued since 2008, included in the Ministry of Land's 'Highway Construction Plan' in 2017, and passed a preliminary feasibility study in 2021. However, after the Yoon administration took office, the Ministry of Land suddenly reconsidered Gangsan-myeon as the endpoint in May 2023, raising suspicions of favoritism towards Kim.In response to the ongoing controversy, Won, who was the Minister of Land at the time, unexpectedly declared the cancellation of the project in July of the same year. The special investigation team is examining whether he ignored legal advice indicating potential violations of the law during this process.Before entering the special investigation office, Won expressed his dissatisfaction to reporters, stating, "They are ignoring the time set by the judges and violating procedures and laws. They seem to think they are a specially selected group. The Election Commission and the special investigation team appear to be no different."He further claimed, "The current investigation by the special team blatantly disregards the warrants issued by judges. While we must comply with lawful investigations and express our views, we cannot turn a blind eye to unlawful investigations."Won's claims of unlawful investigation by the special team relate to the 'phone forensics' process. On July 15, the special investigation team secured Won's mobile phone during a search and seizure operation.However, Kim Ji-mi, the special prosecutor's assistant, stated during a regular briefing on August 3 that, "The forensic examination of the seized phone was scheduled, but contrary to what was promised, Won's side did not provide the password, leading to its failure." She added that they had requested the National Forensic Service to unlock the phone and would proceed with a selective review of the electronic information.In contrast, Won claimed on Facebook that, "The warrant for the phone seizure had a ten-day deadline. If the original data was to be extracted, I or my lawyer should have been allowed to participate, but the special investigation team did not return the phone even after the deadline and did not guarantee our participation during the forensics process."Previously, the Kim Kun-hee special investigation team (led by Special Prosecutor Min Jung-ki) indicted a civil servant from the Ministry of Land involved in the preferential treatment allegations for abuse of authority and obstruction of the exercise of rights, but they were unable to clarify the charges against Won, who was identified as the central figure.The newly established special investigation team began its investigation into Won's allegations in March, starting with a travel ban and launching compulsory investigations into the National Intelligence Resource Management Agency and the Ministry of Land in April.The special investigation team had notified Won twice to appear, but the notices were not delivered due to the absence of a recipient. On July 15, they conducted a search and seizure of Won's mobile phone, and on July 23, they carried out the first questioning of him as a suspect.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-06 11:16:00
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Hanseyess24 Group Expands AI Training Across All Affiliates Hanseyess24 Group is accelerating its AI transformation (AX) by expanding artificial intelligence (AI) training for employees across all affiliates. On August 5, Hanseyess24 Holdings hosted a company-wide seminar featuring Jo Yong-min, CEO of Unbound Lab Dev, who spoke on the topic of 'Work Methods in the AI Era.' More than 500 employees from all affiliates attended the event. Jo, who has previously worked at Google Korea, IBM, and Samsung Electronics, now leads the venture capital firm Unbound Lab Dev, focusing on nurturing AI startups. The seminar addressed essential mindsets and practical applications of AI in the workplace. Jo stated, "We need to design key performance indicators (KPIs) that solve the goals of higher organizations, known as 'Level+1,' and create AI tasks based on these metrics." He emphasized that simply adding AI to existing frameworks will not fundamentally change a company's structure; instead, KPIs must be redefined to ensure AI contributes to achieving business objectives. Following this seminar, Hanseyess24 Group plans to actively implement AI across management and business processes. The goal is to enhance AI utilization skills among employees and link these skills to strengthening competitiveness in areas such as product planning, production, distribution, and content. The company-wide seminar program began in 2011 and invites external experts based on employee recommendations, covering various topics including climate crisis, leadership, and motivation. Recently, the focus on AI-related training has increased. Last year, the group invited Professor Choi Jae-sik from the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) to enhance employees' understanding and practical capabilities in AI. A representative from Hanseyess24 Holdings stated, "Through expert training, we aim to build an organizational culture suited for the AI era and enhance employees' practical skills. We will also accelerate the AX initiative across the group." Meanwhile, Hanseyess24 Holdings and Hansey Industry recently published their respective '2026 Sustainability Management Reports,' outlining the group's vision for sustainable management, key ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) achievements, and AI-based future strategies. In this report, Hanseyess24 Holdings identified 'climate change response,' 'sustainable products and services,' and 'human rights management and organizational culture' as core strategic tasks, along with 'AI-based business innovation' for each affiliate, presenting a group-wide AI transformation strategy and roadmap. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-06 11:12:10
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'Long Long Night' Invited to Toronto International Film Festival, First Korean Feature Animation in 13 Years The bestselling children's book 'Long Long Night' has been adapted into a full 3D animated film and officially invited to the 51st Toronto International Film Festival.According to the overseas distributor Finecut, the film 'Long Long Night' has been officially selected for the Centerpiece section of the 51st Toronto International Film Festival, where it will have its world premiere.'Long Long Night' is the first Korean feature animation to be officially invited to the Toronto International Film Festival in 13 years, following director Yeon Sang-ho's 'The Fake' in 2013. The Centerpiece section showcases notable works from around the world.Giovanna Fulvi, a programmer for the Toronto International Film Festival, described 'Long Long Night' as an animation that depicts the journey of a rhinoceros named Noden and an unexpected companion, a young penguin, across vast wilderness. She praised the film for its delicate and vibrant visuals that portray a world where the beauty of nature coexists with human-made dangers.She added, "The film conveys warmth through humor and deep loss, highlighting the power of friendship, resilience, and the relationships that sustain us."'Long Long Night' is based on the bestselling book of the same name by author Ruri, who won the Grand Prize at the 21st Munhakdongne Children's Literature Awards. The original book has sold approximately 800,000 copies, appealing to both children and adult readers.The story follows the last remaining white rhinoceros, Noden, and a young penguin born from an abandoned egg as they embark on a journey to find the sea. Through their experiences of loss, the two characters rely on each other, conveying themes of friendship, love, and solidarity.The film is directed by Yeom Gyu-bok, who has spent nearly 20 years directing commercials, honing his ability to convey emotions and stories succinctly. He has contributed to character development for campaigns such as Meritz Fire & Marine Insurance's 'Worry Doll' and Shinhan Bank's 'Pig Family.' He has also authored picture books including 'Kkuuk Kkuuk,' 'Gorong Gorong,' and 'Haak Haak.'Yeom focused on visually conveying the emotions he felt from the original work, emphasizing the characters' expressions, movements, and actions to tell the story.'Long Long Night' is produced as a full 3D animation using Unreal Engine. Co-production company Studio Ion utilized its experience with Unreal Engine-based production and real-time rendering technology, developed through projects like 'Armored Saurus,' to create the film's spaces and characters. Kkuuk Kkuuk Studio refined the emotional design and delicate expressions of the characters.The invitation to the Toronto International Film Festival showcases the expansion of Korean children's literature into full 3D animation and highlights the directing and technical capabilities of domestic animation creators to international audiences.The domestic and international distribution will be handled by The Contents On, which plans to announce the film festival screening schedule and domestic release date in the future.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-06 11:12:00
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Trump: Oil Prices May Need to Rise Again, Hopes They Won't President Donald Trump suggested that oil prices may need to rise again, despite his expectation of a decline following the end of the war in Iran.On August 5, during an economic speech in Las Vegas, Nevada, Trump assessed that oil prices have stabilized somewhat but stated, "We may have to raise oil prices again." He added, "You know what happens when we raise oil prices, right? But I hope we don’t have to do that."Trump did not elaborate on the specific reasons or measures that might necessitate a rise in oil prices. He has claimed for weeks that oil prices would drop once the war in Iran concludes, but prices have generally remained high as the conflict continues.Attendees at the event expressed concerns about rising oil prices. Terrilyn Taylor, a 60-year-old teacher from Las Vegas, pointed out that housing prices, interest rates, and gasoline prices are excessively high. He remarked, "I don’t think everything is Trump’s fault, but I thought the rise in gas prices would be temporary. Now, I really hope the Iran issue gets resolved."Trump also expressed a preference for negotiating an agreement with Iran rather than pursuing further military action. He stated, "It’s better to reach an agreement with Iran because I don’t want to see people die."He claimed that the U.S. was prepared for the largest military strike against Iran since World War II, but that Iran requested negotiations, leading to the strike not being executed. Trump noted, "We were fully prepared for an attack, but Iran called and said, ‘Please don’t attack, let’s talk.’" He confirmed that discussions are currently ongoing between the two sides, but emphasized, "I will not allow Iran to have nuclear weapons."Meanwhile, Trump highlighted the success of his economic policies, claiming that U.S. exports have reached an all-time high. He stated, "Just yesterday, it was announced that U.S. exports have completely taken off in a positive way, reaching the highest level in American history."However, according to the U.S. Census Bureau and the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), U.S. exports in June totaled $314.7 billion, a 0.9% decrease from the previous month. The three-month moving average also showed a decline in exports. While exports have increased by 11.7% this year, the growth has been driven by a rise in energy product exports, including gold and crude oil, reflecting the impact of rising energy prices due to the war in Iran. 2026-08-06 11:08:00
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Oh Se-hoon Criticizes Government Tax Reform for Failing to Control Housing Prices Oh Se-hoon, the Mayor of Seoul, criticized the government's tax reform plan, stating it could lead to rising rental prices without effectively controlling housing costs.During a forum on real estate normalization held at Seoul City Hall on the morning of August 6, Oh expressed concerns about the government's proposed tax reforms.He summarized the recently announced tax reform plan by saying, "It can be summarized as failing to control housing prices while only increasing rental costs." He added, "As concerns grow that the real estate market will become even more chaotic, we need to identify the issues with the policy and seek ways to minimize confusion by addressing necessary adjustments now."Oh also raised worries that elderly individuals, facing cash flow issues due to tax burdens, might be forced to sell their properties against their will or be pushed out of the market. He emphasized the need to discuss the frustrations surrounding the government's tax reform and to ensure that experts' voices are adequately conveyed in policy discussions.The forum in Seoul was held shortly after President Lee Jae-myung shared the government's policy direction during a national discussion on real estate on July 23, followed by the announcement of the tax reform plan on August 3.The event began with opening remarks from Mayor Oh and lasted approximately 90 minutes. Participants included young people without homes, one-home non-residents, private rental business operators, and real estate experts, who engaged in open discussions centered on three main topics: tax reform, the rental market, and housing supply. Notable experts included Lee Chang-moo, a professor of urban engineering at Hanyang University; Noh Hee-cheon, a professor of accounting at Soongsil University; Yoon Ji-hae, head of the research lab at Real Estate 114; Choi Won-kyu, a tax accountant; and Jeong Jae-hoon, a professor of urban planning and real estate at Dankook University.Seoul City plans to gather citizen opinions through real-time comments and video connections during the forum, which will be streamed live on YouTube. After the event, the city will compile and publicly share the feedback from citizens and responses from experts.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-06 11:08:00
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LG HelloVision Reports 71.7% Drop in Q2 Operating Profit LG HelloVision announced on August 6 that it recorded an operating revenue of 243.3 billion won, an operating profit of 3 billion won, and a net profit of 1.1 billion won for the second quarter of 2026. The second quarter operating revenue decreased by 31.3% compared to the same period last year, while operating profit fell by 71.7%. This decline is attributed to a shrinking market for educational smart devices and overall difficulties in the broadcasting and telecommunications sectors. By business segment, revenue from broadcasting was 119.8 billion won, internet services generated 33.5 billion won, and mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) services brought in 36.8 billion won. Broadcasting and MVNO revenues decreased by 2.7% and 9.9%, respectively, compared to the previous year. The drop in broadcasting revenue was primarily due to a decline in video-on-demand (VOD) sales, while the MVNO segment faced challenges from competition in low-cost mobile plans. The rental segment reported 30.8 billion won, down 31.7% from the same period last year. The region-based business, including media and business-to-business (B2B) transactions, saw a significant decline of 55.5%, totaling 21.9 billion won, due to adjustments in the business portfolio. Kim Young-jun, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Risk Officer of LG HelloVision, stated, “We will establish a foundation for recovering competitiveness and profitability through continuous management efficiency in the second half of the year.”* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-06 11:08:00