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  • Heat Wave Causes Livestock Deaths; Agriculture Ministry Activates Emergency Response
    Heat Wave Causes Livestock Deaths; Agriculture Ministry Activates Emergency Response 폭염으로 가축 피해가 계속되면서 정부가 비상 대응 체계를 강화했다.농림축산식품부는 4일 박정훈 식량정책실장 주재로 지방정부, 농협, 생산자단체, 가금 계열사업체 등이 참석한 가운데 '폭염 대응 추진상황 점검회의'를 개최했다. 이번 회의는 폭염 장기화에 따른 기관별 대응 상황을 공유하고 가축 피해 최소화를 위한 추가 대책을 논의하기 위해 마련됐다.지난 3일까지 폭염으로 인한 가축 폐사는 총 49만3497마리(돼지 3만3759마리, 가금 45만9738마리)로 전년 동기의 31% 수준이다. 관계기관과 농가의 적극적인 대응으로 지난해보다 피해가 적다는 것이 농식품부의 설명이다. 다만 최근 폭염 중대경보 발효 지역이 넓어지고 당분간 평년보다 높은 기온이 이어질 것으로 전망되면서 정부는 긴장의 끈을 놓지 않고 있다. 지방자치단체와 농축협은 축산농가에 긴급 살수·급수를 지원하고 사양관리 지도를 실시하고 있다. 또한 축산자조금을 활용해 농가 1만5222호에 열차단도포제, 고온스트레스완화제를 지원하고 있다. 농식품부는 가용 가능한 자원을 최대한 활용해 총력 대응할 방침이다. 농축협, 축산물품질평가원과 함께 이달 말까지 상설 전담 상황실을 운영하고 긴급급수·현장점검 등 대응 상황을 일일 점검한다. 아울러 취약 농가를 발굴해 직접 찾아가 긴급 살수를 지원하는 방식으로 바꿔 농가 체감형 지원을 확대한다. 특히 8월 첫째 주를 집중 점검 주간으로 지정하고 박정훈 식량정책실장을 비롯한 축산·방역 담당 국과장 9명이 직접 각 시도의 폭염 대응 현장을 찾아 실태를 점검할 예정이다. 박 실장은 "당분간 폭염이 지속될 것으로 전망되는 만큼 보다 강도 높은 대응이 필요한 상황"이라며 "전담 상황실을 중심으로 폭염 대응 상황을 면밀히 관리하고 폭염 중대경보 지역에 대한 현장점검을 강화하는 등 가축 피해를 최소화하는 데 총력을 다하겠다"고 말했다. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-04 16:00:20
  • Hekto Healthcare Launches New Omega-3 Product for Infants
    Hekto Healthcare Launches New Omega-3 Product for Infants The baby and kids health supplement brand Kim Seok-jin LAB has launched a new Omega-3 product designed to support DHA intake from infancy through childhood.On August 4, Kim Seok-jin LAB announced the release of its new product, 'Our Child DHA Smart Drops.'Our Child DHA Smart Drops is an oil-based Omega-3 product containing plant-based DHA, a key component for brain and retinal development in growing children. It adheres to the ingredient standards used in infant formula production and utilizes DHA in the triglyceride (TG) form, which closely resembles the natural structure of fatty acids. Additionally, it is enriched with domestic perilla oil, which is rich in alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), a precursor to Omega-3 fatty acids, enhancing its nutritional profile.The product is designed in an oil form to accommodate infants who may have difficulty swallowing capsules. It can be easily added to formula, baby food, soups, or snacks, and is recommended to be taken twice daily (about 1mL) using a dropper.In conjunction with the product launch, Kim Seok-jin LAB will hold a promotional event from August 5 to 31 on the official Dishimone mall and Naver Smart Store, offering discounts of up to 35% and a set of three soaps for customers who make a purchase.A representative from Hekto Healthcare stated, "It is important for children in their growth stages to maintain a balanced diet and properly intake necessary nutrients. We will continue to introduce products that allow for easy supplementation of essential nutrition based on scientific evidence as children grow."Kim Seok-jin LAB has previously received awards for customer satisfaction in the categories of infant nutritional supplements and children's growth products, as well as ranking first in the Korean Brand Satisfaction Index for children's nutritional supplements.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-04 16:00:10
  • KOSPI Recovers Above 6,300; KOSDAQ Soars Over 5%
    KOSPI Recovers Above 6,300; KOSDAQ Soars Over 5% The KOSPI index closed higher on August 4 after experiencing volatility, including a brief dip during trading. In contrast, the KOSDAQ surged over 5%, driven by strong buying in the pharmaceutical and biotech sectors. The KOSDAQ market has seen a notable difference in momentum, with a buying sidecar activated for three consecutive trading days.According to the Korea Exchange, the KOSPI finished at 6,358.95, up 101.50 points (1.62%) from the previous trading day. The index opened at 6,351.38, up 93.93 points (1.50%), but briefly turned negative during the session.In the securities market, individual investors made a net purchase of 818.4 billion won, while foreign and institutional investors sold a net 370.6 billion won and 539.2 billion won, respectively.Major stocks in the KOSPI showed mixed results. Hanwha Aerospace rose by 9.25%, followed by LG Energy Solution (3.96%), Samsung Biologics (3.72%), SK Square (3.41%), SK Hynix (0.64%), Samsung Electro-Mechanics (0.34%), and Samsung Electronics (0.21%). Conversely, Samsung Life Insurance fell by 3.30%, Samsung C&T by 1.98%, KB Financial by 0.41%, and Hyundai Motor by 0.13%.Lee Kyung-min, a researcher at Daishin Securities, noted, "Today, the domestic stock market saw profit-taking in the memory sector, leading to a clear decoupling from the U.S. memory sector, with liquidity spreading to sectors outside semiconductors and automobiles."Meanwhile, the KOSDAQ index closed at 780.72, up 43.37 points (5.88%) from the previous day. It opened at 748.19, up 10.84 points (1.47%), and expanded its gains throughout the session. A buying sidecar was activated around 10:47 AM, marking the third consecutive day of such measures.In the KOSDAQ market, individual investors sold a net 258.6 billion won, while foreign investors sold 277.2 billion won. Institutions, however, made a net purchase of 543.4 billion won.All major stocks in the KOSDAQ closed higher, with significant gains from Rigakem Bio (15.62%), ABL Bio (13.66%), HLB (10.68%), Alteogen (9.29%), EcoPro (6.46%), JUSUNG Engineering (6.42%), EcoPro BM (5.79%), Pepton (4.88%), Rino Industrial (4.56%), Wonik IPS (2.99%), and Rainbow Robotics (1.74%).The researcher added, "Today, the KOSDAQ market saw concentrated buying in the pharmaceutical and biotech sectors, continuing its upward trend."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-04 16:00:00
  • Cha Bio F&C Partners with Bravo Be Be Arte to Develop Cosmetics Featuring Artwork by Artists with Developmental Disabilities
    Cha Bio F&C Partners with Bravo Be Be Arte to Develop Cosmetics Featuring Artwork by Artists with Developmental Disabilities Cha Bio F&C is set to develop cosmetics utilizing the artwork of artists with developmental disabilities.On August 4, Cha Bio F&C, a subsidiary of the Cha Bio Group, announced that it has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Bravo Be Be Arte, a workplace dedicated to cultural and artistic endeavors for individuals with developmental disabilities, to collaborate on the development, production, and marketing of cosmetics.The signing ceremony took place on August 3 at Bravo Be Be Arte in Guro-gu, Seoul, and was attended by Cha Bio F&C CEO Kim Seok-jin, Vice President Hong Ji-sun, Bravo Be Be Arte CEO Lim Ui-jun, and Bear Better CEO Lee Jin-hee. Artist Park Byeong-jun, who provided artwork for the upcoming products, was also present.This partnership aims to create and sell products that incorporate the artwork of developmental disability artists into cosmetic packaging design.Bravo Be Be Arte will handle product planning and sales, applying the works of its affiliated artists to product designs. They will also be responsible for the development and procurement of packaging materials, including containers and labels.Cha Bio F&C will provide technical consulting and research and development support necessary for the formulation of the cosmetics. The company plans to utilize its expertise in raw materials and formulation technology to produce the products and supply them to Bravo Be Be Arte.The two companies are currently developing their first collaborative products, 'Bravo Be Be Arte Lip Balm' and 'Bravo Be Be Arte Hand Cream,' with a target launch date in September.Bravo Be Be Arte is a workplace created through joint investment by companies obligated to employ individuals with disabilities, providing job opportunities for those with developmental disabilities. The social enterprise Bear Better supports management and human resources based on 14 years of experience working with individuals with developmental disabilities.As part of its commitment to ESG management, Cha Bio F&C plans to continue expanding its scope of social contribution activities.Kim Seok-jin, CEO of Cha Bio F&C, stated, "We will leverage our accumulated research and development and production capabilities in cosmetics to enhance the competitiveness of Bravo Be Be Arte's products. We will also strive to create social value by utilizing our technological and business capabilities in the future."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-04 16:00:00
  • ROK Navy appoints first woman to command major naval vessel
    ROK Navy appoints first woman to command major naval vessel SEOUL, August 04 (AJP) - The Republic of Korea Navy has appointed Capt. Bae Sun-young as commanding officer of ROKS Dokdo, making her the first woman to command one of the service’s major vessels. Bae will formally take command of the ship on Wednesday, the Navy said Tuesday. Captains are the highest-ranking commanding officers assigned to Navy ships and lead major vessels such as amphibious assault ships, destroyers and large logistics support ships. No female officer had previously commanded a ship at that level. Bae entered the Republic of Korea Naval Academy in 1999 as a member of its 57th class, the first class to admit female cadets, and was commissioned in 2003. An experienced operations officer, she has served as commander of Chamsuri patrol boat No. 282, operations officer aboard the corvette ROKS Namwon and commanding officer of the minelayer ROKS Wonsan. She also previously served aboard ROKS Dokdo as a deck officer. Bae recently served as head of the Maritime Operations Center at the Combined Forces Maritime Component Command during the 2026 Rim of the Pacific Exercise (RIMPAC), where the South Korean Navy led multinational maritime forces. “My experience aboard a wide range of vessels, from combat ships to support vessels, has taught me to view situations from multiple perspectives,” Bae said. “Based on that operational experience, I will ensure that ROKS Dokdo can fully carry out combined and joint operations in any contingency.” She said returning to the ship as its commanding officer was both an honor and a major responsibility. “I understand the operational characteristics of ROKS Dokdo better than most,” she said. “I will communicate closely with the crew and bring out the ship’s full potential.” Addressing junior female officers, Bae said the path was not easy but encouraged them to continue serving with pride. ROKS Dokdo, the Navy’s first large amphibious transport ship, displaces 14,500 tons and measures 199 meters long and 30 meters wide. It can carry more than 300 crew members and up to 700 additional troops, along with helicopters, tanks, amphibious assault vehicles and other military equipment. 2026-08-04 15:59:46
  • AI Data Centers Targeted by Iran, Raising Concerns for Middle East Investments
    AI Data Centers Targeted by Iran, Raising Concerns for Middle East Investments The data centers, crucial infrastructure for the artificial intelligence (AI) industry, have emerged as new targets for Iranian attacks, increasing uncertainty around AI investments in the Middle East.According to CNN on August 3, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) of Iran has identified data centers of major U.S. tech companies, including Amazon, Google, Microsoft, and NVIDIA, as primary targets since the onset of hostilities.Reports indicate that an Amazon data center located in Bahrain suffered significant damage from a missile attack by Iran at the end of last month. Iran cited the provision of cloud services to the U.S. military and intelligence agencies by American tech firms, including Amazon, as a justification for the attack.Indeed, Amazon, Google, Microsoft, and Oracle are participating in the U.S. Department of Defense's $9 billion Joint Combat Cloud Capability project. It has also been reported that the U.S. military retaliated by targeting one of Iran's data centers.Experts suggest that the dual-use nature of data centers for both civilian services and military intelligence has provided a rationale for physical attacks.Andrew Leddy, a professor at the University of California, Berkeley, stated, "Data centers can handle both military intelligence and civilian services. From Iran's perspective, the Amazon data center is essentially no different from a U.S. military facility."The ongoing attacks on data centers raise concerns about the impact on the AI development strategies pursued by Gulf nations. Saudi Arabia is investing a significant portion of its $1 trillion sovereign wealth fund into the AI sector, while the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is working on a $500 billion AI data center project in collaboration with the U.S.The six Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, including Saudi Arabia and the UAE, have committed to over $2 trillion in AI-related investments with the U.S.However, if Iran's attacks on data centers continue, there are fears that market confidence in the safety of AI infrastructure in the Middle East could diminish. Foreign companies may reconsider their plans for data center construction and investment, potentially slowing down project timelines.The insurance industry is also reassessing the risk levels associated with AI facilities in the region. Experts predict that insurance premiums for data centers and investment risk premiums may rise, and some facilities could face challenges in obtaining insurance coverage altogether. 2026-08-04 15:56:00
  • Bloomberg Warns South Korea is Becoming Uninvestable
    Bloomberg Warns South Korea is Becoming 'Uninvestable' Bloomberg has issued a strong warning, labeling South Korea's stock market as 'uninvestable.' The report highlights that government market interventions and the proliferation of single-stock leverage products have intensified volatility, undermining trust in the South Korean market, particularly among individual investors.In a column titled 'South Korea Is Becoming Uninvestable, Too,' Bloomberg columnist Shuli Ren noted on August 3 that the KOSPI index has dropped nearly 40% after 27 trading days, a decline comparable to the 2015 crash of the Chinese stock market. Ren argued that while investors may believe in the growth of the global artificial intelligence (AI) industry, they are hesitant to invest in the South Korean stock market.Ren cautioned against being overly optimistic about the investment appeal of Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix based solely on their potential benefits from AI and the KOSPI's 12-month forward price-to-earnings ratio (PER), which has fallen to 5.5 times. He emphasized the need to examine the recent sell-off and the government's inadequate market support measures, which have left deep scars on new investors and tarnished the reputation of the South Korean market. 'It is possible to believe in the boom of the global AI industry while avoiding investments in the KOSPI,' he stated.Ren identified volatility as the primary concern. This year, there have been 33 days when the KOSPI moved more than 5% in a single day, while Japan's Nikkei 225 and Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index have not experienced such fluctuations. 'Volatility is deadly,' he warned, predicting that foreign institutional investors, who prioritize risk diversification, will be reluctant to increase their investments in the KOSPI.The surge in volatility has been attributed to the introduction of single-stock leverage products at the end of May. Due to the nature of these products, additional buying occurs when stock prices rise, and additional selling happens when prices fall, amplifying market movements. Ren also criticized the failure to protect individual investors and the national pension fund's policy of increasing domestic stock investments. He pointed out that the most popular leverage product linked to SK Hynix has fallen by as much as 84% from its peak, resulting in approximately 360,000 accounts being forcibly liquidated, with 62% of those accounts belonging to investors under 35 years old.Ren remarked, 'In recent years, global investors have deemed China an uninvestable country due to policy failures and market interventions. Now, similar concerns are growing regarding South Korea.' He urged the South Korean government to reflect on whether it understands its actions and whether young investors entering the market are being adequately protected.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-04 15:52:00
  • Intense Competition in Banking Sector for Institutional Business in Second Half of 2026
    Intense Competition in Banking Sector for Institutional Business in Second Half of 2026 하반기 은행권의 기관영업 경쟁이 한층 치열해질 전망이다. 상반기 최대어로 꼽힌 서울시금고와 국민연금 외화금고 선정이 마무리된 가운데 인천시금고를 비롯한 수조원 규모의 입찰이 대기하고 있다. 전국 지방법원의 공탁금 보관은행도 새로 선정될 예정이어서 시금고와 연기금, 법원 자금을 둘러싼 은행권의 쟁탈전이 본격화하는 모습이다. 4일 인천시와 금융권에 따르면 인천시는 이달 중 시금고 입찰 공고를 낼 계획이다. 4년 전에는 7월 중순에 입찰 공고를 냈지만, 올해는 시금고 관련 조례 개정으로 일정이 다소 늦어졌다. 인천시금고의 재정 규모는 약 15조원으로, 차기 시금고는 2027년부터 2030년까지 4년간 인천시 자금을 관리한다. 인천시 관계자는 “조례 개정 작업으로 일정이 지연됐다”며 “후속 절차에는 차질이 없도록 준비하고 있다”고 말했다. 최대 관심은 1금고 경쟁이다. 올해 본예산 기준 1금고가 관리하는 재정 규모는 약 13조원에 달한다. 현재 1금고는 신한은행이 맡고 있다. 금융권에서는 신한은행과 하나은행이 1금고를 두고 치열한 경쟁을 벌일 것으로 보고 있다. 20년 동안 1금고를 맡아온 신한은행은 상반기 서울시금고에 재선정된 여세를 몰아 인천시금고까지 수성하겠다는 전략이다. 이에 맞서는 하나은행은 오는 9월 인천 청라국제도시로 본사를 이전하는 점을 핵심 경쟁력으로 내세울 것으로 보인다. 특히 올해 공모에서는 최근 개정된 시금고 지정·운영 조례가 최대 변수로 꼽힌다. 개정 조례는 시금고 담당 은행 지정 평가에서 지역사회 기여 실적과 금리 항목에 대한 비중을 이전보다 확대했다. 오는 9월에는 약 7조원 규모의 공무원연금공단 수탁은행 선정도 예정돼 있다. 공무원연금공단은 내달 1일부터 7일까지 수탁은행 선정 입찰을 진행한다. 수탁은행으로 선정되면 오는 10월부터 2031년 9월까지 5년간 관련 업무를 맡게 된다. 공무원연금 수탁은행의 주요 업무는 위탁·고유자산의 보관과 투자 자금 집행, 유가증권 매매 결제 등이다. 수탁은행이 운용할 자금 규모는 6조9392억원에 달한다. 현재 업무를 맡고 있는 하나은행의 참여가 유력한 가운데 다른 주요 시중은행들도 입찰 참여 여부를 검토하고 있다. 법원 공탁금 보관은행 경쟁도 하반기 주요 관심사다. 서울을 시작으로 전국 지방법원 17곳의 공탁금 보관은행 계약이 올해 말 만료되기 때문이다. 공탁금은 법적 분쟁이 생겼을 때 법령에 따라 공탁소에 맡겨두는 금전 등을 의미한다. 은행 입장에서는 저비용으로 자금을 조달할 수 있고 법원 직원과 민원인을 고객으로 확보하는 효과를 기대할 수 있다. 공탁금 운용에 따른 직접적인 수익도 상당하다. 은행연합회가 국회에 제출한 자료에 따르면 국내 10개 공탁금 보관은행(KB국민·신한·하나·우리·NH농협·iM·부산·경남·광주·전북은행)은 2019년부터 2023년까지 공탁금 운용으로 총 1조1861억원의 수익을 거뒀다. 금융권 관계자는 "기관영업은 자금관리 안정성과 전산·보안 역량, 지역 기여 등을 종합적으로 평가받는 영역"이라며 "비용 측면에서 부담이 있지만 대규모 자금 확보와 부수적 효과가 매우 큰 만큼 은행들이 적극적으로 유치에 나설 것으로 보인다"고 말했다.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-04 15:48:10
  • Despite Tightened Lending, Stock Sales and Family Support Boost Seoul Housing Market
    Despite Tightened Lending, Stock Sales and Family Support Boost Seoul Housing Market Despite the government's stringent management of household loans, housing transactions in Seoul increased in the first half of this year compared to last year. The rise is attributed to demand supported by funds from stock and bond sales, as well as gifts and inheritances, referred to as 'non-loan funds.'According to the Korea Construction Policy Institute, as of May this year, the balance of mortgage loans from deposit-taking institutions and the Korea Housing Finance Corporation and Housing City Fund was approximately 1,261 trillion won, reflecting a modest 0.2% increase from the previous month. This growth rate is half of the average monthly increase of around 0.4% observed this year.The government continues to maintain a policy of loan restrictions, aiming to keep the growth rate of household loans in the financial sector within 1.5%. Specific management targets for mortgage loans have also been implemented, raising the threshold for new loans for home purchases.In contrast, the Seoul housing market has shown a different trend. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport reported that nationwide housing transactions from January to June reached 396,274, a 10.6% increase compared to the same period last year. In the metropolitan area, transactions rose by 13.4%, while Seoul saw an 8.2% increase, with a total of 69,032 transactions in the first half of the year.However, apartment transactions in Seoul decreased by 2.8% year-on-year, totaling 42,186. In June, overall housing transactions in Seoul fell to 12,094, a 14.5% decrease from the previous month, while apartment transactions dropped by 13.5% to 7,742. The increase in overall transactions in the first half of the year was largely driven by non-apartment properties such as multi-family homes.Despite variations in transaction types, the upward trend in housing prices in Seoul continues. In June, the average sale price of apartments rose by 1.2% from the previous month, marking 27 consecutive months of increases since April 2024. The apartment sales supply-demand index in Seoul stood at 112.6, indicating that buyer demand continues to outpace supply.Market analysts are paying attention to the flow of funds that cannot be explained solely by loans. According to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, funds utilized for purchasing homes in Seoul from the sale of stocks and bonds amounted to 23.966 trillion won from July last year to January this year.Last year's total from stock and bond sales reached 38.916 trillion won, a 72.6% increase from 22.545 trillion won in 2024. This suggests that as loan limits tightened, buyers turned to liquidating financial assets to cover the shortfall in home purchase funds.Nam Hyuk-woo, a researcher at Woori Bank, explained, "The asset income generated from liquidating securities can flow into the real estate market at any time."Funding through gifts and inheritances has also seen a significant increase. In the first quarter of this year, 2.1813 trillion won was used for home purchases in Seoul from gifts and inheritances. Of this amount, 1.0915 trillion won, or 50.0%, was sourced from individuals in their 30s. During the same period, individuals in their 30s also generated the highest amount of home purchase funds, totaling 721.1 billion won, from the sale of stocks, bonds, and virtual assets.Analysts suggest that loan regulations are not uniformly blocking demand in Seoul but rather widening the gap based on funding capabilities. Those who can mobilize financial assets or family support remain active in the market, while those heavily reliant on loans may find it increasingly difficult to enter.Gu Ja-min, a researcher at Real Today, noted, "The purchasing power of individuals in their 30s has significantly depended on returns from emerging asset markets. As housing prices rise, creating higher entry barriers, young buyers are leveraging not only loans but also investment returns and parental support to make purchases."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-04 15:48:10
  • Gwangjus Winia Faces Likely Liquidation After Buyer Withdraws
    Gwangju's Winia Faces Likely Liquidation After Buyer Withdraws Winia, a major subsidiary of the Daeyu Winia Group, is facing a diminished chance of recovery. Located in Gwangju, Winia is a manufacturer of home appliances currently undergoing liquidation by using proceeds from asset sales to repay debts. Recently, a company interested in acquiring Winia has reportedly decided to withdraw from the deal. According to Yonhap News on August 4, the Gwangju Bankruptcy Court approved a liquidation recovery plan that allowed H Industry, a home appliance distribution company, to acquire Winia after paying a deposit of 3 billion won. However, H Industry failed to pay the remaining 30 billion won by the deadline of July 24. H Industry has informed Winia's court-appointed manager of its decision to withdraw from the acquisition. A Winia representative stated, "I understand that H Industry has expressed its intention to withdraw without paying the remaining amount. Currently, there are no other companies interested in acquiring Winia, and we are waiting to see whether the court will continue the recovery process or opt for bankruptcy." Previously, the Gwangju Bankruptcy Court approved a liquidation recovery plan that involved selling Winia's tangible and intangible assets (including factory equipment, land, intellectual property, trademarks, and patents) to H Industry, with the proceeds to be used for debt repayment. H Industry had promised to rehire over 100 of Winia's approximately 170 employees after the acquisition, but if the deal falls through, job security for the employees will be further jeopardized. Winia expressed concern, stating, "All 170 employees are currently working both on-site and remotely, and they are not receiving their wages properly. If H Industry's acquisition fails, the hopes of some employees for reemployment will vanish." As of the date of the recovery application in September 2022, Winia's financial situation included assets of approximately 50 billion won and liabilities of about 530 billion won (including wage claims of 70 billion won).* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-04 15:48:10