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  • Xreal Launches 62g AR Glasses in South Korea Targeting Portable Large Screen Market
    Xreal Launches 62g AR Glasses in South Korea Targeting Portable Large Screen Market Xreal has launched its 62g augmented reality (AR) glasses, the 'xbx a01+', in South Korea. The company aims to lower the consumer entry barrier for AR glasses by focusing on features necessary for video viewing rather than high-spec spatial computing.On August 4, Xreal announced that pre-orders for the xbx a01+ will be available on Coupang from the 5th to the 11th. Official sales will begin on the 14th through Naver Smart Store and Coupang brand shops.The xbx a01+ is the first product from Xreal's newly launched sub-brand 'xbx,' designed for watching videos by projecting smartphone and laptop screens into a glasses-style display.Weighing approximately 56g without the front frame and about 62g with it, the glasses are designed for extended video viewing and portability. They also feature an algorithm to reduce screen shake.The display includes a 0.6-inch micro OLED panel with a resolution of 1920×1080, supporting a maximum refresh rate of 120Hz and a viewing angle of about 50 degrees. The panel's maximum brightness is 6000 nits, with a perceived maximum brightness of 1600 nits.The glasses do not include a separate battery. Instead, they connect to smartphones or laptops via a USB-C cable, which supplies both power and video signals. The connected devices must support USB-C DisplayPort output.This wired design, which eliminates the battery, helps reduce the product's weight, but the actual usage range may vary depending on the connector specifications and power supply capabilities of the connected devices.To reduce eye strain, the xbx a01+ has received certifications from the German testing and certification organization TÜV Rheinland, including the Eye Comfort 5-Star, Low Blue Light, and Flicker-Free certifications.Products purchased during the pre-order period will be shipped starting on the 12th. Customers who bookmark the Xreal brand shop on Coupang during the pre-order period will receive a discount coupon of 20,000 won.Xreal plans to expand its distribution channels by introducing the product to offline stores for customer experience and purchase opportunities later this month.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-04 13:28:00
  • Moon Jeong-bok Resigns from Democratic Party Leadership, Expected to Support Jeong Cheong-raes Campaign
    Moon Jeong-bok Resigns from Democratic Party Leadership, Expected to Support Jeong Cheong-rae's Campaign Moon Jeong-bok, a member of the Democratic Party, has resigned from his position on the Supreme Council. As a prominent member of the pro-Jeong Cheong-rae faction, his resignation raises questions about his potential support for Jeong Cheong-rae's candidacy in the upcoming party convention on August 17.According to the Democratic Party, Moon communicated his intention to resign on August 3. He also did not attend the Supreme Council meeting held the previous day. With his departure, the Supreme Council now consists of five members, including Han Byeong-do, who is serving as acting party leader and floor leader, along with elected members Hwang Myeong-seon and Kang Deuk-gu, and appointed members Park Ji-won and Park Gyu-hwan. Hwang and Kang are aligned with the pro-Lee Jae-myung faction, while Park Ji-won and Park Gyu-hwan are associated with the pro-Jeong faction.Meanwhile, the first week of the party convention's preliminary elections has concluded, showing a tight race between Jeong Cheong-rae and Kim Min-seok. Neither candidate has secured a majority, leading to speculation that the second-choice votes from supporters of Song Young-gil could play a crucial role.If no candidate receives a majority of votes during the convention, the top two candidates will determine the winner through a preference voting system. Amid escalating factional tensions between the pro-Lee and pro-Jeong camps, some analysts suggest that Kim, also viewed as part of the pro-Lee faction, may benefit from the preference voting system.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-04 13:16:00
  • Drone Explosion at Russian Black Sea Resort Kills 7, Including 3 Children
    Drone Explosion at Russian Black Sea Resort Kills 7, Including 3 Children A drone explosion at a beach resort on the southern coast of the Black Sea in Russia has resulted in the deaths of seven people, including three children, and left 40 others injured.On August 3, a drone crashed and exploded at the Arkhipo-Osipovka beach in Krasnodar Krai, where many tourists were present, according to reports from BBC and Reuters.Videos shared on Russian social media captured the moment the drone rapidly descended and exploded on the beach. Among the injured, 21 individuals were transported to hospitals, with nine reported to be in critical condition.Krasnodar authorities accused Ukraine of deliberately targeting civilians. Governor Veniamin Kondratiev stated, “They intentionally attacked civilians unrelated to military facilities.” However, Russian officials did not provide specific evidence to support this claim.The circumstances surrounding the drone's crash and its intended target remain unclear. Some witnesses reported hearing a series of gunfire similar to that of a machine gun just before the explosion, raising the possibility that Russian forces attempted to intercept the drone, though this has not been confirmed.Local residents noted that there were no air raid sirens before the drone approached.Ukraine has not yet issued a statement regarding the incident. Recently, Ukraine has intensified long-range drone attacks targeting military facilities and energy and logistics hubs within Russian territory.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-04 13:16:00
  • Korean issues in short-term debt hit record high H1
    Korean issues in short-term debt hit record high H1 SEOUL, August 04 (AJP) —South Korean companies increasingly turned to short-term borrowing in the first half as higher funding costs and a sluggish capital market outside the semiconductor sector pushed issuers away from longer-term financing. According to the Financial Supervisory Service (FSS) on Tuesday, companies raised a record 1,272.8 trillion won ($917 billion) through commercial paper (CP) and short-term notes during the January-June period, up 68 percent from a year earlier, while equity and corporate bond issuance fell 15.6 percent to 126.6 trillion won. Electronically registered short-term notes — debt securities with maturities of up to one year sold directly to investors — surged to a first-half record 990 trillion won ($713 billion), nearly doubling from a year earlier. Commercial paper, unsecured short-term promissory notes, also reached a record 282.7 trillion won, up 19 percent. The shift reflected growing reliance on short-term funding by both financial institutions and non-financial companies, which together issued an additional 441.9 trillion won in short-term debt from a year earlier. Issuance of asset-backed commercial paper also increased by 7.1 trillion won. Brokerages were among the biggest issuers as surging retail stock trading increased demand for margin financing and settlement funding. For non-financial companies, however, the move underscored the widening divide in corporate credit markets. With long-term borrowing costs remaining elevated, lower-rated issuers increasingly opted for shorter maturities instead of locking in expensive bond financing. According to the Korea Financial Investment Association, yields on three-year BBB-minus unsecured corporate bonds stood at 10.258 percent, more than double the 4.462 percent yield for AA-minus issuers. The sharp funding premium effectively shut many lower-rated borrowers out of the long-term bond market. The deterioration was also evident in direct financing. Total equity and corporate bond issuance dropped 15.6 percent from a year earlier to 126.6 trillion won, driven largely by weaker corporate bond issuance. Equity fundraising fell 29.6 percent to 2.98 trillion won as initial public offerings declined to 28 from 42 a year earlier and most listings were relatively small. Rights offerings also dropped 29.5 percent to 1.96 trillion won because there were fewer large capital raisings exceeding 100 billion won. Corporate bond issuance declined 15.2 percent to 123.6 trillion won. Corporate bond sales plunged 31.5 percent to 25.9 trillion won, primarily because companies issued fewer refinancing bonds. Refinancing dominated issuance. Debt rollovers accounted for 72.9 percent of proceeds, while only 23.6 percent funded operating expenses and just 3.6 percent financed capital investment, highlighting limited appetite for new investment despite improving economic growth. Financial bond issuance fell 7.2 percent overall as weaker issuance by non-bank financial institutions offset modest increases by banks and financial holding companies. Asset-backed securities issuance also declined 30.6 percent to 7.3 trillion won. 2026-08-04 13:15:28
  • Doosan Enerbility Shares Rise 5% on SMR Tax Support and Bill Gates Visit
    Doosan Enerbility Shares Rise 5% on SMR Tax Support and Bill Gates Visit Doosan Enerbility is experiencing a surge in stock prices due to the South Korean government's expansion of tax support for small modular reactors (SMRs) and anticipation surrounding a visit from Bill Gates, founder of TerraPower.As of 1:01 PM on August 4, Doosan Enerbility's shares rose by 3,600 won (5.32%) to 71,300 won, according to the Korea Exchange.The increase in stock price is attributed to the government's announcement of its '2026 Tax Reform Plan,' which includes SMRs and micro modular reactors (MMRs) as part of the country's strategic technologies for future energy. As a result, related companies can receive tax credits of 30-50% on research and development (R&D) costs and 15-30% on facility investment costs.The news of Bill Gates' visit has also boosted investor sentiment. Industry insiders expect discussions between Gates and the Prime Minister to focus on strategies to meet the rising power demand driven by the expansion of artificial intelligence (AI) data centers and semiconductor clusters.Doosan Enerbility is recognized as a leading nuclear power company in South Korea, having established competitiveness in the fields of reactors, steam generators, and gas turbines. The company has also formed partnerships with global SMR firms such as TerraPower, NuScale Power, and X-energy.Lee Sang-hun, a researcher at iM Securities, stated, "We expect new orders to become visible in the second half of the year, including contracts for the Czech nuclear power plant and SMR equipment. The expansion of the overseas nuclear power market in the U.S. and Saudi Arabia, along with increased SMR production capacity, will likely lead to a rise in orders."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-04 13:12:00
  • New humanoids break from the two-legged mold
    New humanoids break from the two-legged mold SEOUL, August 04 (AJP) - A horned, chainsaw-wielding machine that looks less like a factory helper than a creature from Greek myth went viral online this week, the latest sign that the humanoid robot — long imagined as a two-legged mechanical twin of its maker — is quietly shedding the human silhouette that once defined it. The machine, named Threehalves, is being developed by Satyress Robotics, a startup based in Auburn, California. It grafts a humanoid upper body onto a four-legged base, standing about two meters tall, and is built to work in places too dangerous for people, from wildfire fronts to collapsed structures. The company positions it as a force multiplier for skilled workers rather than a replacement. Threehalves is teleoperated, and by the firm's own account it is not yet a functioning robot — the images circulating online are static renders. The design echoes a concept Korean engineers know well: "Centaur," the country's first humanoid, built decades ago at the Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST) with a horse-like lower body rather than legs. Chipmaker Nvidia, whose processors power most humanoids in development, defines them as general-purpose, bipedal robots modeled on the human form and designed to work alongside people. Yet many machines now marketed as humanoids stray far from that description, from wheeled torsos to faceless frames. "The definition of 'humanoid' itself is still unclear," Park Dong-il, director of the Advanced Robotics Research Center at KIST, said in an earlier interview. "There's no ISO standard. We call robots with only an upper body humanoids, and we also call robots with both upper and lower bodies humanoids." Google DeepMind last week unveiled Gemini Robotics 2, a general-purpose AI model that steers a humanoid's whole body — walking, crouching and manipulating objects — rather than the upper half its predecessor was limited to. Meanwhile, South Korea's Robotis has open-sourced its AI Sapiens humanoid platform, releasing hardware designs, source code and simulation assets to cut the months of groundwork that precede AI training. Korea's industrial giants are moving too, and increasingly into defense. Samsung affiliate Rainbow Robotics and Hyundai Rotem jointly developed the RB-01K, a four-legged combat robot set for deployment with the South Korean Army by year-end, as a shrinking pool of conscripts pushes the military toward automation. Four-legged machines like the RB-01K may look nothing like a humanoid, but they lean on the same mechanical DNA. The quasi-direct-drive actuators that give quadrupeds their agile, shock-absorbing legs — pioneered in MIT's Cheetah robots — are now the joints of choice for humanoids as well, and Korean engineers say China vaulted into the humanoid race largely by porting that four-legged know-how onto two legs. Engineers argue Korea's edge lies not in spectacle but in what these machines can eventually do. "The essence of a humanoid robot is what it does for work," said Han Jae-kwon, robotics professor at Hanyang University and chief technology officer of Aei Robot. "Replace dangerous, undesirable labor. Help address the population cliff." Whatever shape the next generation takes — two legs, four, or none — the machines increasingly answer to a common master: the AI learning to move them. 2026-08-04 12:59:01
  • Ruling Party Proposes National Assembly Session on August 13 to Address Fast-Track Legislation
    Ruling Party Proposes National Assembly Session on August 13 to Address Fast-Track Legislation The Democratic Party is pushing to hold the first plenary session of the August extraordinary National Assembly on the 13th. They argue that the People Power Party's filibuster is obstructing the legislative process and are committed to swiftly addressing livelihood bills. As part of this effort, a vote on a proposed amendment to the National Assembly Act, which would shorten the fast-track review period from a maximum of 330 days to 90 days, is expected to take place during the session.Chun Jun-ho, the Democratic Party's floor leader, suggested the August 13 session during a meeting on August 4, stating, "I hope the People Power Party will end its hostage situation over livelihood bills this month." He emphasized that bills related to the public's well-being, which have been stalled due to the opposition's obstruction, need to be addressed, and that the Assembly must process legislation that was not completed in the first half of the 22nd National Assembly.Previously, the amendment to shorten the fast-track review period was introduced in the National Assembly on July 31 but was not voted on due to the People Power Party's filibuster. The session automatically concluded at midnight as the July extraordinary National Assembly period ended, and the amendment will now go through the voting process in the first plenary session of the August extraordinary National Assembly. The proposed changes would reduce the current fast-track review period from '180 days in committee, 90 days in the Judiciary Committee, and 60 days in the plenary session' to '60 days in committee, 30 days in the Judiciary Committee, and presentation in the first plenary session after being submitted.'The Democratic Party aims to improve the legislative process by shortening the fast-track review period, which has been delayed by the opposition's filibuster on contentious bills. They also plan to pass non-controversial livelihood bills that are currently pending in the Assembly. In contrast, the People Power Party has strongly opposed these changes, arguing that they would undermine the filibuster, a tool used by the opposition to check the ruling party's power.Han Byeong-do, the acting leader of the Democratic Party, also pointed out during the meeting that "the operation of the National Assembly is in a serious situation due to the People Power Party's obstruction." He noted that there are currently 113 bills pending in the Assembly that have not been processed in the first half of the National Assembly, with only 2 and 75 bills addressed in the Judiciary Committee on July 15 and 29, respectively. He stressed the importance of holding the plenary session on the 13th to begin processing these bills.He further stated that if the filibuster continues to delay the processing of bills, they will explore all possible means to respond. He criticized the People Power Party for showing no willingness to normalize the operation of the National Assembly, asserting, "If they block the bills, we will take all necessary measures to restore normalcy." 2026-08-04 12:44:00
  • Dunamu Partners Makes Follow-Up Investment in Cancer Genomics Firm InnoClass
    Dunamu Partners Makes Follow-Up Investment in Cancer Genomics Firm InnoClass Dunamu's investment subsidiary, Dunamu Partners, announced on August 4 that it has made a follow-up investment in InnoClass, a cancer genomics big data company.InnoClass is a startup co-founded in 2020 by Professors Yoo Young-seok and Lee Jeong-seok from the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST). The company possesses proprietary technology that converts complex genomic data into actionable information for clinical use. Currently, over 100 cancer-specialized medical institutions in Asia are utilizing InnoClass's solutions.Dunamu Partners began its investment journey in 2022, guided by a philosophy of supporting companies led by Korean scientists from the early stages. The firm has participated in all four funding rounds, accumulating a total investment of 14.5 billion won.InnoClass CEO Seo Je-hee stated, "Dunamu Partners has been a strategic partner that has contributed to InnoClass's growth beyond just being a financial investor." He added, "Their advice on building a sustainable revenue model based on clinical experience accumulated in the Asian market has been a crucial turning point for the company to establish itself in the market and lay the groundwork for business expansion."InnoClass raised a total of $31 million (approximately 44.3 billion won) in this funding round. DSC Investment and Intervest participated in the follow-up investment, while IMM Investment, Korea Investment & Securities, Woori Investment & Securities, and Shinhan Investment Corp. joined as new investors. InnoClass plans to use the secured funds to aggressively target the U.S. hospital market.Lee Kang-jun, CEO of Dunamu Partners, expressed high expectations for InnoClass's growth potential, stating, "The company is evolving into a data platform that not only dramatically improves the diagnosis of major diseases that humanity must overcome, such as cancer and rare diseases, but also leads global new drug development based on accumulated genomic big data." 2026-08-04 12:36:00
  • Sangha Farm Launches First Premium Soy Milk with Top-Grade Local Ingredients
    Sangha Farm Launches First Premium Soy Milk with Top-Grade Local Ingredients Maeil Dairies' eco-friendly brand, Sangha Farm, has expanded its plant-based beverage lineup with the launch of its first soy milk products.On August 4, Maeil Dairies announced the release of three varieties of 'Sangha Farm Soy Milk' (black soybean, black soybean with mugwort, and black soybean with red bean). This marks the brand's debut in the soy milk market.The new products are notable for using only top-grade black soybeans, specifically the 'Cheongja No. 5' variety, harvested within a year. All soybeans are sourced domestically, with strict management of harvest dates and traceability to enhance ingredient freshness.The manufacturing process employs traditional stone grinding methods, incorporating the soybean skins. The products contain no emulsifiers, foaming agents, stabilizers, sweeteners, or flavorings. Leveraging over 40 years of expertise from Maeil Dairies' food research institute, the soy milk preserves the rich flavor of black soybeans while minimizing any bean-like aftertaste.The products are available in three flavors, all made with 100% domestic ingredients. The 'Black Soybean Soy Milk' contains 99.8% black soybean extract and 0.2% sea salt, offering an unsweetened, high-protein option. The 'Black Soybean Soy Milk with Mugwort' is a low-sugar variant enhanced with domestic mugwort, while the 'Black Soybean Soy Milk with Red Bean' features seasonal domestic red beans, providing a subtle sweetness and nutty flavor.Packaged in 180ml pouches, the products target consumers such as new mothers needing nutritional support, those who prefer black soybeans, and individuals seeking natural flavors and low-sugar, high-protein diets. They can be purchased through Maeil Dairies' official online store and major online retail channels.A Maeil Dairies representative stated, "This is the first instance of Sangha Farm applying the same origin and quality control standards used for dairy products to plant-based items. We not only consider which soybeans to use but also when they were harvested, ensuring the use of top-grade black soybeans harvested within a year."According to FIS Food Industry Statistics, the domestic soy milk market has grown from 386.3 billion won in 2023 to 406.2 billion won in 2024 and 409.8 billion won last year. The average annual growth rate over the past three years has been approximately 2.99%.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-04 12:32:00
  • Job Korea to Host HReka 26 Conference on AI Recruitment Strategies
    Job Korea to Host 'HReka 26' Conference on AI Recruitment Strategies Job Korea will hold a conference focused on recruitment strategies in the age of artificial intelligence (AI) on the 27th at the Amoris Hall in GS Tower, Yeoksam-dong, Seoul.The term 'HReka' combines HR and Eureka, signifying the provision of insights that prompt a 'Eureka' moment when HR insights are needed.Since last year, Job Korea has been operating the HReka conference, which shares the latest HR trends and corporate case studies, along with a smaller networking program called HReka Meetup. The previous conference attracted over 200 HR professionals.This year's theme is 'Change that Creates Victory in the AI Era.' As AI becomes more prevalent, HR trends in recruitment, organizational management, and performance evaluation are evolving, prompting companies to align their HR efforts with AI-driven outcomes. Job Korea will share real-world AI implementation cases and strategies to help organizations find tailored solutions.Speakers will include Lee Dong-hoon, Executive Director of LG AI Research, Kim Anna, Chief People and Strategy Officer at Lemonbase, Kim Young-joo, Lead of the HR AX Task Force at LG Uplus, and Hwang Ji-wook, HR Business Partner at KT. Professor Shin Jae-yong from Seoul National University will explain the conditions that attract talent based on corporate community statistics.Job Korea's Chief Strategy Officer, Lee Chang-jun, will present on 'Why Recruitment is Becoming Increasingly Difficult.' He will analyze the structural factors contributing to the growing challenges in hiring, based on HR data accumulated by Job Korea and Albamon over the past 30 years, highlighting the rising standards for talent selection and job seekers' expectations.In addition to the presentations, there will be on-site recruitment consulting booths to help address real hiring challenges. Companies can receive tailored consulting from Job Korea representatives on topics such as recruitment strategy development, job posting evaluation, and recruitment process improvement.There will also be interactive programs themed around 'Recruitment Victory,' including mini-games and social media participation, with small prizes for participants.Registration for the HReka 26 conference is available for free on the Job Korea website until the 19th.Jung Eun-hye, head of the Insight Strategy Team at Worksphere, stated, 'As this event will share real AI transformation cases and operational data, we hope companies preparing for recruitment through Job Korea and Albamon can gain validated solutions at HReka 26.'* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-04 12:28:00