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IPARK Hyundai Industrial Development Expands Mixed-Use Projects in Seoul IPARK Hyundai Industrial Development is expanding its mixed-use development projects centered around Seoul One. The company is applying the development and operational experience gained from the Yongsan IPARK Mall to large-scale projects. However, it faces the challenge of securing tenants for hotels and commercial facilities, as well as achieving operational profits beyond residential sales.According to the construction industry on August 5, IPARK Hyundai Industrial Development is pursuing or participating in mixed-use development projects, including Seoul One, the Yongsan Railway Hospital site, and the Bokjeong Station area, as well as the Cheongna Medical Complex Town and Jamsil Sports and MICE. Recently, the company has also been considering data center development utilizing remaining sites in Tongyeong and Incheon Port.The company's participation varies by project. The Seoul One and Yongsan Railway Hospital sites are closer to self-development projects, while the Jamsil Sports and MICE project is a consortium participation. The Yongsan Maintenance Depot Zone 1 is a contracted project where the company is involved as a construction contractor.A company official stated, “We are promoting self-development projects centered around the Development and Operations Headquarters and plan to continuously review projects that can create regional synergies, including Seoul One.”Seoul One is a key project that will gauge the company's development and operational strategy. The project, covering approximately 150,000 square meters around Gwangwoon University Station in Seoul, aims to create around 3,000 residential units, a hotel, office and commercial facilities, a health check-up center, and educational facilities, with a total investment of about 4 trillion won. The first phase, the Seoul One IPARK, consists of 1,856 units.The company plans to differentiate Seoul One from typical self-development projects that focus solely on residential construction and sales. It aims to integrate residential, shopping, hotel, office, and health management functions into a single living area while participating in the development and operation of some non-residential facilities to secure profits after completion.The experience gained from developing and operating the Yongsan IPARK Mall has laid the foundation for this project. The company is incorporating its experience in combining railway and transportation infrastructure with commercial facilities into the facility composition and operational plans for Seoul One. It is also exploring ways to collaborate with its hotel, resort, and retail affiliates within the group.At the Yongsan Railway Hospital site, the company is transforming the existing hospital building into the Yongsan History Museum while developing a residential complex with up to 34 floors and 685 units. At the Yongsan Maintenance Depot Zone 1, where it secured construction rights last year, the company plans to build 780 residential units and 651 officetels, along with office and commercial facilities.This approach aligns with the construction industry's trend of moving away from a profit structure centered on contracted work to expanding self-development and non-residential sectors. Mixed-use development allows for participation in site discovery, planning, financing, permitting, construction, and operation, potentially yielding higher profits than simple construction gains.However, this also comes with significant risks. The long-term investment in land and construction costs, along with the need to secure tenants for non-residential facilities such as hotels and commercial spaces, will determine the overall profitability of the projects. Delays or a downturn in the real estate market could increase project financing costs and the burden on equity capital.The effects of expanding self-development have already been reflected in recent performance. In the second quarter of this year, IPARK Hyundai Industrial Development reported consolidated revenues of 914.6 billion won and operating profits of 122.7 billion won, marking increases of 35.7% and 53.1%, respectively, from the previous quarter. The company attributed the rise in profitability to the ramp-up of self-development projects like Seoul One and improvements in cost ratios.However, it is difficult to assess the success of Seoul One solely based on residential sales. The level of tenant acquisition for hotels, shopping malls, and office facilities, as well as the operational management and project financing structure, must be clarified to confirm the actual success of the mixed-use development.Song Seung-hyun, CEO of Urban and Economy, noted, “Developer projects can create higher added value than simple contracts, but they require significant capital investment over a long period. If projects are delayed or sales and operational results fall short of expectations, financial burdens can increase, necessitating management of both project performance and operational profits.”Industry experts believe that the contracts for non-residential facilities, operational plans, and project financing structure will determine the success of Seoul One. Securing stable operational profits will provide a foundation for expanding subsequent mixed-use developments, but if funding or non-residential operations falter, the burdens of large-scale self-development projects may become more pronounced.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-05 15:40:10 -
Criminal Procedure Law Amendment Passed Amid Ongoing Criticism The amendment to the Criminal Procedure Law, which abolishes the prosecution's investigative powers, was approved at a Cabinet meeting the previous day. However, criticism continues to emerge from the legal and academic communities. There are speculations that the amendment will undergo conflict of authority adjudication and constitutional complaints at the Constitutional Court, but legal experts believe the chances of it being upheld are low.On August 5, Park Chan-woon, a professor at Hanyang University Law School and former chair of the advisory committee for the Prime Minister's Office's Prosecutorial Reform Promotion Team, expressed on Facebook, "The Criminal Procedure Law has been amended despite widespread opposition and concerns. It is difficult to predict how our criminal justice system will navigate the challenging obstacles ahead." Kim Ye-won, a lawyer at the Disability Rights Law Center, also pointed out, "There are many provisions in the amended law that are simply unfeasible."As criticism of the amendment continues, some in the political and legal circles are raising the possibility of conflict of authority adjudication and constitutional complaints at the Constitutional Court.The People Power Party has stated it will consider options for conflict of authority adjudication and constitutional complaints. Additionally, Park Young-jin, a research fellow at the Judicial Research and Training Institute, argued on the internal prosecutor network, "The Supreme Prosecutors' Office should file for conflict of authority adjudication regarding the amended Criminal Procedure Law."A significant point of contention is the removal of the prosecution's right to request warrants. According to the amendment, prosecutors are prohibited from independently requesting arrest, detention, or search warrants and can only submit warrants requested by investigative agencies like the police to the court. In contrast, Articles 12 and 16 of the Constitution stipulate that these warrants should be issued upon the prosecutor's request.Critics also argue that the provision allowing courts to dismiss charges without substantive judgment in cases of serious violations during investigations or abuse of prosecutorial discretion is arbitrary and vague.There are analyses suggesting that conflict of authority adjudications and constitutional complaints will be filed by frontline prosecutors and the public regarding the constitutionality of the amendment. Professor Park noted that after the amendment passed the National Assembly on July 31, "Many prosecutors may seek conflict of authority adjudication at the Constitutional Court, while ordinary citizens might file constitutional complaints to contest its constitutionality."However, while conflict of authority adjudications and constitutional complaints may be directed to the Constitutional Court, the likelihood of them being upheld remains uncertain. A former prosecutor turned lawyer stated in a conversation with Aju Business Daily, "Conflict of authority is within the legislative domain, making it challenging, and while constitutional complaints can be filed on the grounds of infringement of the right to pursue happiness, equality, and the right to a fair trial, it will be difficult to gain recognition for these claims."The Constitutional Court has previously rejected conflict of authority adjudications and constitutional complaints. Last year, Kim Seong-hoon, a chief prosecutor at the Cheongju District Prosecutors' Office, filed a constitutional complaint against a government organization law amendment aimed at abolishing the prosecution, but the court dismissed it in February, citing a lack of potential infringement on fundamental rights.The Constitutional Court also dismissed conflict of authority claims made by the Ministry of Justice and the prosecution regarding the 'prosecution's investigative powers' legislation during the Moon Jae-in administration, stating, "Determining the allocation of investigative and prosecutorial powers is a matter for the National Assembly to decide through legislation." The court viewed the prosecutor's right to request warrants not as a direct grant of investigative powers but as a means for a legal expert, the prosecutor, to rationally control the coercive investigations of other investigative agencies.However, there are expectations that the assessment of this amendment may differ from that of the previous 'prosecution's investigative powers' legislation. The Constitutional Court previously noted that the amendment did not restrict the prosecutor's right to request warrants, while this new amendment eliminates the provision for direct warrant requests by prosecutors, raising concerns about its constitutionality.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-05 15:40:10
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Ministry of Interior Holds Briefing Ahead of Major Crime Investigation Agency Launch The South Korean government has approved a revision to the Criminal Procedure Act that will completely abolish the direct and supplementary investigation rights of prosecutors. This change, which was passed by the National Assembly and approved by the Cabinet on August 4, will centralize investigative authority with the police, allowing prosecutors to focus solely on prosecution. The revised law will take effect on October 2.As the Major Crime Investigation Agency (MCIA) prepares for its official launch in October, the Ministry of Interior and Safety has begun a series of briefings for prosecutors. Starting on August 5 at the Busan District Prosecutor's Office, the ministry will hold sessions at 18 local prosecutor's offices across the country, including those in Jeju, Changwon, and Gwangju, until August 12.The briefing in Busan was divided into two sessions based on the audience: one for prosecutors in a conference room on the 13th floor and another for investigators and general staff on the 2nd floor. According to ministry officials, the session included a detailed 40-minute presentation on the agency's organizational structure, personnel criteria, budget, and office plans, followed by a Q&A session with attendees.However, the ministry conducted the initial briefing in Busan behind closed doors, restricting access to the press to ensure security. Following the Cabinet's approval of the revision, the ministry held a briefing at the Government Seoul Building, announcing that the MCIA will consist of a headquarters and six regional offices, with a total staff of 2,874, including 2,567 investigators (89.3%) and 307 general staff (10.7%).Notably, prosecutors transitioning to the MCIA will be classified based on their years of service, with those under ten years receiving a Grade 4 position, those with ten or more years a Grade 3 position, and district chief prosecutors a Grade 1 position. However, this change effectively downgrades the rank of many prosecutors, raising questions about whether they will be willing to make the switch. Additionally, the compensation structure is expected to differ significantly from that of the current prosecutor's office, leading to early signs of reluctance among current prosecutors.One former prosecutor, now a lawyer, told Aju Economy that a colleague at the Busan District Prosecutor's Office expressed a complete lack of interest in the MCIA, stating they were unaware of the briefing. The lawyer noted, "I haven't heard of any prosecutors planning to join the MCIA. When I asked how disinterested they were, they said they didn't even know who attended the briefing."Another former chief prosecutor commented, "For prosecutors to move to the MCIA, there needs to be some incentive. With lower ranks and less favorable conditions, it’s hard to see why anyone would want to make the switch. However, those who are committed to continuing in investigations might consider moving, but it seems more likely they would do so to build their careers before transitioning to private practice after a few years." He added that many of his junior colleagues are more focused on whether to resign than on moving to the MCIA, indicating a lack of serious consideration about the transition.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-05 15:40:00
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Prosecutors Raid Seven Chemical Companies Over Price-Fixing Allegations Amid Middle East Conflict Prosecutors are conducting raids on domestic petrochemical companies suspected of colluding to fix prices of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and plasticizers amid the ongoing Middle East conflict. 5일 법조계에 따르면 서울중앙지검 공정거래조사부(나희석 부장검사)는 이날 오전 LG화학, 한화솔루션, 애경케미칼, OCI, 롯데정밀화학, PKC, 유니드 등 7곳을 압수수색해 관련 자료 확보에 나섰다.According to legal sources, the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office, led by Chief Prosecutor Na Hee-seok, raided seven companies, including LG Chem, Hanwha Solutions, Aekyung Chemical, OCI, Lotte Fine Chemical, PKC, and Unid, to secure relevant documents.These companies are accused of having prearranged price increases for eight petrochemical products, including PVC, plasticizers, caustic soda, and hydrochloric acid, citing instability in naphtha supply due to the Middle East conflict.PVC, which is primarily made from naphtha, is a synthetic plastic widely used in construction materials, pipes, and wire coatings. Plasticizers are chemical additives that make PVC softer and more flexible.Earlier, the Fair Trade Commission also identified signs of collusion among petrochemical companies and initiated an on-site investigation in May.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-05 15:40:00
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Rising Delinquency Rates Prompt Stricter Lending Standards at Major and Regional Banks Delinquency rates in the banking sector are rising rapidly. The prolonged high interest rates and sluggish regional economies have led to an increase in borrowers unable to meet their interest obligations. As the burden of maintaining financial soundness grows, banks are expected to tighten lending standards further in the second half of the year.According to the financial sector on August 5, the average delinquency rate for five regional banks—BNK Busan, BNK Gyeongnam, iM Bank, Jeonbuk Bank, and Gwangju Bank—was recorded at 1.19% at the end of the second quarter of this year, an increase of 0.17 percentage points from the end of last year.Among these banks, Jeonbuk Bank had the highest delinquency rate at 1.69%, followed by Gwangju Bank at 1.21%, Gyeongnam Bank at 1.15%, Busan Bank at 1.02%, and iM Bank at 0.87%. Four of the five banks reported delinquency rates exceeding 1%, with iM Bank nearing 0.9%.As the regional economic downturn continues alongside high interest burdens, the financial soundness of regional banks is increasingly at risk.Even the five major commercial banks—KB Kookmin, Shinhan, Hana, Woori, and NH Nonghyup— which reported over 9 trillion won in net profit in the first half of the year, have not escaped the trend of rising delinquency rates. By the end of the second quarter, the average delinquency rate for these banks rose to 0.39%, up 0.05 percentage points from 0.34% at the end of last year.The delinquency rate for household loans averaged 0.33%, an increase of 0.01 percentage points from the previous quarter, marking the highest level since the first quarter of 2016 when it was 0.36%.As delinquency rates rise, banks face increased burdens from loan loss provisions and are likely to assess borrowers' repayment abilities and creditworthiness more conservatively. With the possibility of further interest rate hikes and the need to meet household loan volume targets, lending assessments are expected to become even stricter in the second half of the year.In fact, a survey conducted by the Bank of Korea among credit officers at financial institutions indicated that the attitude index for household housing loans among 18 domestic banks was recorded at minus (-) 11 for the third quarter. A negative index indicates that more financial institutions plan to tighten lending standards than those that intend to ease them.The concern is that as banks strengthen their selective lending policies, the funding conditions for vulnerable borrowers may worsen. There are fears that borrowers who find it difficult to secure loans from banks may be pushed into the second financial sector, such as savings banks, credit card companies, and capital firms, where interest rates are relatively higher, exacerbating the 'balloon effect.'A financial sector official stated, "If delinquency rates continue to rise, banks will have no choice but to scrutinize borrowers' repayment abilities and creditworthiness more rigorously. As loan demand increases while lending avenues shrink, the disparity in financial accessibility among borrowers may widen."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-05 15:36:10
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Naver Webtoon Launches First Subscription Animation Service on LINE Manga Naver Webtoon is expanding its content ecosystem by introducing its first subscription-based animation service on the Japanese platform LINE Manga. The strategy aims to increase user engagement and enhance content competitiveness by allowing users to consume both webtoons and animations on a single platform.On August 5, Naver Webtoon announced its collaboration with Japanese telecommunications company NTT Docomo to launch the subscription-based animation streaming service 'd Anime Store for LINE Manga' (dアニメストア for LINEマンガ).This service marks the first subscription animation offering on LINE Manga.'d Anime Store' is an animation-focused subscription streaming service operated by NTT Docomo, boasting approximately 4 million members. Through this collaboration, LINE Manga aims to combine the animation content from d Anime Store with its own webtoon user base, providing a comprehensive content experience that allows users to enjoy both comics and animations.LINE Manga users will have access to over 4,000 animations, including the latest and most popular titles, through a newly created 'Anime' tab. Naver Webtoon plans to continue expanding the number of titles available in the service.This initiative is part of Naver Webtoon’s strategy to enhance video content tailored to regional user consumption patterns. In South Korea, Naver Webtoon offers webtoon-based video content through its short-form video service 'Cuts,' while its global service features a 'Watch' tab that expands video experiences with animations and motion content.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-05 15:36:10
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Gold Investment Interest Cools as Trading Volume and Value Plummet 80% Since January Interest in gold investment is rapidly cooling. The trading volume and value in the Korea Exchange (KRX) gold market have fallen to their lowest levels this year, and outflows from gold exchange-traded funds (ETFs) are also continuing. With the U.S. maintaining its tightening stance and expectations that the buying momentum from Chinese individual investors, which drove last year's gold price increase, will slow, recovery in gold investment sentiment is unlikely in the near term.According to the KRX on August 5, the average daily trading volume of gold bullion (99.99%; 1kg) in July was 218,708 grams, a 51.6% decrease from June's 451,831 grams. The average daily trading value also dropped 54.4% to 42.659 billion won from 93.471 billion won the previous month. Compared to January's figures (1,011,913 grams; 233.764 billion won), trading volume has decreased by 78.4% and trading value by 81.8%, indicating a significant cooling of investment interest.The downward trend has continued into August. From August 1 to 4, the average daily trading volume was 89,589 grams, with a trading value of only 16.683 billion won. Gold prices have also been on a decline since reaching a peak of 269,810 won on January 29, hitting a yearly low of 185,990 won as of the close on July 30.Outflows from gold-related ETFs are also ongoing. According to Koscom ETF Check, the 'ACE KRX Gold Bullion' ETF saw the highest net selling by individual investors among commodity ETFs in the past month, with a net outflow of 26.5 billion won. The 'TIGER KRX Gold Bullion' ETF also recorded a net outflow of 12.9 billion won, ranking fourth. In total, these ETFs ranked 15th and 36th for net selling by individual investors across all ETFs. The outflows from both the physical gold market and gold ETFs reflect a general cooling of investment interest in gold.Analysts attribute the sharp decline in gold trading to a contraction in investor sentiment rather than a simple price correction. With the U.S. tightening policy and high market interest rates persisting, gold's investment appeal has diminished, and some funds have shifted towards growth stocks like semiconductors, slowing the inflow of capital into the gold market.Choi Jin-young, a researcher at Daishin Securities, noted, "Gold reflects liquidity before stocks, which are leading economic indicators, and its price has fallen more than 30% from this year's peak based on closing prices. This reflects concerns over policy rate hikes." Oh Jae-young, a researcher at KB Securities, stated in a recent report, "Global liquidity has been shifting towards certain assets like semiconductor stocks, leading to a contraction in gold investment." Furthermore, as the environment remains unfavorable for gold prices, the buying enthusiasm of Chinese individual investors, who have been leading gold purchases, is also gradually waning. Choi mentioned the slowdown in China's gold reserves compared to last year, stating, "This is fundamentally based on portfolio diversification, and it is somewhat unrealistic to expect that the People's Bank of China's continued purchases will drive gold prices." 2026-08-05 15:36:00
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More South Koreans in their 50s to 70s want to remain in workforce SEOUL, August 5 (AJP) - The number of South Koreans in their mid-50s to late 70s surpassed 17 million as of May, with nearly seven in 10 saying they want to continue working, according to a report released by the Ministry of Data and Statistics on Wednesday. The report found that the number of people aged 55-79 reached 17.02 million in May, up 570,000 from a year earlier, making up 37 percent of the population aged 15 and older, which totaled 45.98 million. About 60.9 percent of them were classified as economically active or part of the labor force. These older workers were mainly employed in health and social welfare services (14.8 percent) and manufacturing (12.0 percent). About 30.5 percent were still working in their main lifetime jobs, where they had stayed for an average of 17 years and 7 months. The average age of those who remained in their longest-held jobs was 62.6, while those who left their main lifetime jobs retired at an average age of 53. The most common reasons for leaving their jobs were business downturns, work stoppages or closures, accounting for 24.9 percent, followed by worsening health at 22.1 percent and family caregiving at 15.2 percent. Some 8.97 million of them were pension recipients, with an average monthly payment of 880,000 won over the past year. Men received an average of 1.13 million won, while women received 610,000 won. About 11.78 million older adults said they wanted to keep working in the future, with their average desired retirement age at 73.6. Their top considerations when choosing a job were workload and working hours at 30.8 percent, pay at 20.3 percent and the ability to continue working at 16.3 percent. A quarter of them wanted to earn 3 million won or more per month, followed by 18.0 percent who sought 2 million won to less than 2.5 million won. AJP Takeaways: - South Koreans aged 55 to 79 numbered 17.02 million as of May 2026, up 570,000 from a year earlier, making up 37 percent of South Korea's population aged 15 and older, which totaled 45.98 million, according to a report released by South Korea's Ministry of Data and Statistics on Aug. 5, 2026. - About 60.9 percent of South Koreans aged 55 to 79 were classified as economically active or part of the labor force as of May 2026, with health and social welfare services (14.8 percent) and manufacturing (12.0 percent) the most common employment sectors. - About 30.5 percent of South Koreans aged 55 to 79 were still working in their main lifetime jobs as of May 2026, having stayed in those positions for an average of 17 years and 7 months. - About 8.97 million South Koreans aged 55 to 79 were pension recipients as of May 2026, receiving an average monthly payment of 880,000 won over the past year, with men receiving an average of 1.13 million won and women receiving 610,000 won. - About 11.78 million South Koreans aged 55 to 79 said they wanted to continue working in the future, with an average desired retirement age of 73.6, citing workload and working hours (30.8 percent), pay (20.3 percent), and the ability to continue working (16.3 percent) as their top job considerations. 2026-08-05 15:33:04 -
Innocean Reports 23% Surge in Q2 Operating Profit Driven by World Cup and Genesis Le Mans Innocean announced that its operating profit for the second quarter reached 44.6 billion won, a 22.4% increase compared to the same period last year.Revenue for the second quarter was 499 billion won, down 3.9% year-on-year, while net profit for the same period rose 53.1% to 36.5 billion won.An Innocean official commented on the results, stating, "The double-digit increase in operating profit for the second quarter, following the first quarter, is significant as it indicates that the strong performance is not a one-time occurrence but has continued throughout the first half of the year. This is a result of the expansion of our domestic and international CX (customer experience) business, including sports marketing, digital services, brand space management, and offline experience design."In South Korea, the agency benefited from the World Cup-related projects in North and Central America, as well as a balanced increase in CX projects from both affiliated and non-affiliated clients. Major projects, including the Busan Mobility Show and the KT Gwanghwamun showroom, contributed to the results.This has further expanded the contribution of the CX business, which designs and operates offline customer experiences beyond traditional advertising. Consequently, domestic operating profit increased by 36.7% year-on-year to 6.7 billion won.Internationally, the CX business also expanded, focusing on sports marketing and digital services.In the Americas, sports marketing related to the 2026 World Cup began to be reflected in the results. The U.S., Mexico, and Canada entities, as host countries, conducted on-site events and booth operations, driving growth through increased media spending.Additionally, the U.S. subsidiary Canvas saw growth in programmatic buying (automated digital ad purchasing), contributing to non-affiliated business growth. As a result, total revenue and operating profit in the Americas increased by 9.6% and 5.1%, respectively, compared to the previous year.In Europe, Innocean continued to expand its digital services, including web management, customer relationship management (CRM), and data analytics, while strengthening its sports marketing efforts related to Genesis's participation in the 2026 WEC Le Mans 24 Hours and golf marketing. Consequently, total revenue in Europe increased by 41.8%, and operating profit surged by 115.3% year-on-year, demonstrating rapid growth.Innocean plans to continue its domestic CX integrated campaigns, global sports marketing, and growth in European digital services in the second half of the year. The company also aims to enhance new businesses in AI, data, and IP to further strengthen its sustainable growth foundation.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-05 15:28:20
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Mixed Results for Internet Banks in First Half of 2026: KakaoBank Thrives, K-Bank Struggles Results for internet banks in the second quarter of 2026 varied significantly. KakaoBank achieved its highest-ever half-year net profit, while K-Bank faced a substantial decline due to falling non-interest income.KakaoBank announced on August 5 that its net profit for the second quarter reached 140.8 billion won, an 11.5% increase compared to the same period last year. The bank's half-year net profit totaled 328 billion won, marking a record high.Other banks, including iM Bank, which transitioned to a commercial bank with 245.7 billion won, as well as Busan Bank (202.1 billion won), Gyeongnam Bank (155 billion won), and Jeonbuk Bank (94.5 billion won), also reported higher half-year net profits.Growth in non-interest sectors, such as card and platform services, contributed to KakaoBank's strong performance. The revenue from fees and platform services increased by 10.5% year-on-year, driven by a rise in check card payments and the use of loan comparison services. Non-interest income also grew by 4.8% to 589.5 billion won.Interest income rose by 5.5%, supported by growth in personal business loans. By the end of the second quarter, the outstanding balance of mortgage loans and credit loans increased by 13% and 9.1%, respectively, compared to the previous year.In contrast, K-Bank's net profit for the second quarter plummeted by 60.6% year-on-year, with a 28.7% decrease in half-year net profit.The significant drop in non-interest income, down 68%, was largely attributed to the base effect from bond sale profits recorded last year. Revenue from fees related to card and linked loans only increased by 1.5%, while income from securities fell by 4.1%.Although personal business loans doubled compared to the previous year, driving a 20% increase in interest income, this was not enough to offset the decline in non-interest income.Toss Bank, which is set to announce its results at the end of this month, is also expected to maintain a profitable trend. The bank likely saw an increase in fee income following the launch of its overseas remittance service earlier this year.Looking ahead, competition among internet banks for revenue sources is expected to intensify in the second half of the year. With household loan growth limited and the burden of managing credit risk for mid- to low-credit borrowers increasing, unlimited growth in these areas is not feasible. The recent allowance for face-to-face assessments for corporate loans is likely to spark competition to secure high-quality corporate and personal business clients.KakaoBank's performance in the second half and the success of its new business initiatives will be key factors in determining whether CEO Yoon Ho-young will be reappointed when his term ends in March 2027. The bank plans to launch its second commercial credit card this month and introduce a car loan comparison service in September. In the fourth quarter, it also intends to roll out a refinancing service for real estate-backed loans for personal businesses.K-Bank is expanding the collateral targets for its 'Business Owner Real Estate Secured Loans' to include multi-family homes, officetels, and commercial properties, while also providing support for facility funds. Toss Bank plans to launch a fund service within the year to enter the asset management sector.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-05 15:28:00