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  • Korea bets on being indispensable in U.S.-China AI rivalry
    Korea bets on being indispensable in U.S.-China AI rivalry SEOUL, July 30 (AJP) - When the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) this week barred new imports of Chinese-made humanoid robots, it marked another escalation in the technology war that began with semiconductors and rare earths. More importantly, it showed that strategic competition has entered the age of physical artificial intelligence — where robots, AI models and communications networks are increasingly treated as national-security assets. For South Korea, the decision also sharpened a larger question: how does a middle power preserve its strategic autonomy when the world's two largest economies are steadily forcing countries to choose sides? The FCC on Tuesday (local time) placed foreign-made humanoid and quadruped robots, along with connected power inverters, on its national-security "Covered List," effectively blocking new models from receiving the authorization required to enter the U.S. market. Machines already operating in the field remain unaffected, but the door has largely closed for future Chinese entrants. "Following President Trump's leadership, the FCC will continue to do our part to secure America's critical supply chains, and, with today's action, the FCC is acting in lock step with our national security agencies to do just that," FCC Chairman Brendan Carr said. The unnamed target was unmistakable: China. The country accounts for an estimated 85 percent of the global humanoid robot market, and the restrictions fall most heavily on Unitree Robotics, whose backflipping G1 humanoid has become the symbol of China's rapidly advancing robotics industry. For Seoul, the story began with dirt. China's rare-earth export controls in April 2025 — tightened until U.S.-bound shipments of several critical minerals briefly fell to zero — demonstrated that supply-chain dependence itself had become a geopolitical weapon. Washington's response has steadily broadened from securing access to minerals toward reshaping the entire technology ecosystem. The latest robot restrictions are part of that broader strategy. This month, the Trump administration also convened a coalition of more than 20 countries, including Britain, Germany and Japan, to establish the security architecture and technical standards for sixth-generation wireless networks. The initiative, known as the Call to Action for 6G Leadership and Security, aims to ensure that the next communications infrastructure is designed largely outside China's technological sphere. "Today's action recognizes that 6G will be dramatically different from 5G, and that advancing U.S. and allied leadership requires a dramatically different playbook," said Arielle Roth, administrator of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA). Taken together, the measures illustrate how Washington's strategy has expanded from controlling critical minerals to securing the entire AI technology stack — including semiconductors, communications networks, robotics and frontier AI models. Rare earths, batteries, advanced chips and artificial intelligence are increasingly treated not as separate industries but as components of a single strategic ecosystem. This is where South Korea occupies a different position from most middle powers. Rather than standing on the sidelines, Korea sits at the center of several supply chains Washington is trying to secure. Samsung Electronics and SK hynix dominate the world's advanced memory market, supplying the high-bandwidth memory (HBM) chips that underpin Nvidia's AI accelerators and much of today's generative AI infrastructure. That makes Seoul a partner Washington cannot easily sideline, even as strategic competition with Beijing intensifies. The importance of that relationship was evident last week in San Francisco, where President Lee Jae Myung unveiled what his office described as an "AI declaration" before meeting the leaders of America's most influential AI companies. Lee dined with Nvidia Chief Executive Jensen Huang, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei, alongside the heads of Samsung Electronics, SK Group and Hyundai Motor Group. "The Republic of Korea intends to dramatically expand its investment in artificial intelligence going forward, so we look forward to Anthropic's particular interest, investment and contribution," Lee said. The same pattern is emerging in physical AI. Ironically, the strongest Western challenger to China's Unitree is Boston Dynamics — an American robotics pioneer wholly owned by South Korea's Hyundai Motor Group. Its Atlas humanoid entered commercial deployment this year on Hyundai production lines, creating an unusual industrial identity: a robot designed in the United States, commercialized by a Korean conglomerate and positioned as part of the Western response to China's robotics rise. A similar dynamic is unfolding in frontier AI. In May, OpenAI expanded the government-focused tier of its Daybreak cybersecurity initiative to South Korea, making it the third participating country after the United States and Canada, and one of the first in Asia. "The latest cyber AI capabilities must not remain confined to a select few," Jason Kwon, OpenAI's chief strategy officer, said in Seoul, describing advanced AI security as a shared responsibility among trusted partners. Anthropic has adopted an even more selective approach. Its most capable model, Mythos, remains unavailable to the public and is shared only through Project Glasswing, an invitation-only program focused on autonomous vulnerability detection. In June, Anthropic expanded the initiative to roughly 150 organizations across about 15 countries. South Korea was among the beneficiaries, with the Korea Internet & Security Agency (KISA), Samsung Electronics, SK hynix and SK Telecom gaining early access. Yet the episode also underscored the limits of partnership. Barely a week after Korea joined the program, Anthropic temporarily suspended access to its most advanced models to comply with new U.S. export-control rules — a reminder that even close allies remain subject to policies ultimately written in Washington. Strategic value, however, does not eliminate vulnerability. South Korean manufacturers continue to rely heavily on Chinese processing of rare earths, while China remains one of their largest export markets. As Washington expands restrictions across more sectors, measures aimed primarily at Beijing inevitably create collateral risks for Korean companies operating between the world's two largest economies. For decades, South Korea prospered by navigating between competing powers. The AI era presents a different proposition. Rather than relying on neutrality alone, Seoul is increasingly betting on indispensability — supplying the memory chips, advanced manufacturing, cybersecurity expertise and industrial capabilities that neither Washington nor Beijing can easily replace. Whether that strategy proves durable will depend on forces largely beyond Seoul's control. Yet as the technology rivalry moves from critical minerals to robots, frontier AI models and the infrastructure that connects them, becoming indispensable may offer South Korea a stronger form of strategic insurance than attempting to remain equidistant between two increasingly irreconcilable superpowers. 2026-07-30 14:59:28
  • Amorepacific Group Reports 53% Increase in Q2 Operating Profit Amid Global Growth
    Amorepacific Group Reports 53% Increase in Q2 Operating Profit Amid Global Growth Amorepacific Group reported double-digit growth in both sales and operating profit for the second quarter of this year, driven by strong performance in key domestic and international markets. On July 30, Amorepacific Group announced that its consolidated sales for the second quarter reached 1.2543 trillion won, with operating profit at 122.8 billion won. These figures represent increases of 14.6% and 53.3%, respectively, compared to the same period last year. In the domestic market, key product categories such as luxury, dermacosmetics, and hair care experienced steady growth. Notably, online and multi-brand shop (MBS) channels saw double-digit growth, contributing to improved performance. The operating profit margin for domestic operations also reached around 10%. Internationally, the company continued to grow in key markets, including North America, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA), and Japan. In EMEA, COSRX ranked first in the beauty category on Amazon in Germany and the UK, while in Japan, it was recognized as the top brand in the first half of the 'Qoo10 Japan Mega Beauty Awards 2026.' Amorepacific, the group's flagship subsidiary, saw its sales and operating profit increase by 17% and 59%, respectively, driving overall group performance. Domestic sales rose by 10%, with operating profit up by 48%. By brand, Sulwhasoo and Hera showed strong sales across major channels, while AESTURA, led by its 'Atobarrier 365' line, demonstrated significant growth in MBS and online channels. The overseas business expanded its global growth base, with sales increasing by 28% and operating profit soaring by 99%. The performance in North America and EMEA was particularly strong, while Japan and the Asia-Pacific (APAC) markets also showed solid growth across key online and offline channels. In North America, AESTURA's 'Atobarrier 365 Cream' achieved triple-digit sales growth through Amazon and Sephora channels. Conversely, brands such as Innisfree, Etude, Espoir, and Amos Professional experienced declines in sales and operating profit due to channel efficiency measures. However, Osulloc continued to grow, benefiting from increased online gift set sales and rising revenue from its Matcha Station and Matcha Noodle Bar at the Jeju Tea Museum. An Amorepacific Group representative stated, "We are committed to leading the global beauty and wellness industry through our mid- to long-term vision, 'Create New Beauty.' To achieve this, we are focusing on five strategic initiatives: nurturing key global markets, enhancing integrated beauty solutions, advancing bio-technology-based anti-aging research and development, fostering agile organizational innovation, and transitioning to AI-driven operations."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-30 14:52:20
  • Shinsegae Centum City Expands Summer Attractions and Continues Scholarship Program
    Shinsegae Centum City Expands Summer Attractions and Continues Scholarship Program Shinsegae Centum City is launching a series of pop-up stores this summer, featuring eyewear, smartphones, and fashion goods. The shopping center is also continuing its scholarship program for local youth, now in its 18th year, which began in 2009.The pop-up store for the eyewear brand 'MUUT' will be open on the fourth floor of the department store until August 12.Under the slogan 'Always Curious,' MUUT reinterprets eyewear as a fashion accessory rather than just a vision correction tool. Customers who purchase at least one eyewear item during the pop-up will receive a 'minimal vacation bag' on a first-come, first-served basis. Additionally, purchasing collaborative products from the brand 'MISEKI' and the 'MEND Collection' will entitle customers to a Polaroid photo service and an extra vacation bag.Samsung Galaxy New Product Pop-Up... Pre-orders for Foldable Lineup BeginShinsegae Centum City is hosting a pop-up event on the B2 and 7th floors until August 5, where customers can experience Samsung's latest foldable smartphones.With the slogan 'Foldable, Completion and New Beginning,' this pop-up allows customers to try out the new Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra, Z Fold8, and Z Flip8 models, as well as receive pre-order and purchase consultations. The pre-order period runs from July 28 to August 3, with activation starting on August 4.Pre-order customers will benefit from the 'Double Storage' offer, which provides free or discounted upgrades on storage capacity. Customers purchasing the 256GB model will receive a free upgrade to 512GB, while those buying the 512GB model can upgrade to 1TB at a 50% discount. Additionally, customers will receive a 10% discount coupon for the Galaxy Watch9 Ultra2 and a 30% discount coupon for exclusive accessories and cases. Embracing Korean Beauty... National Geographic Apparel X Cultural Heritage Administration Pop-UpShinsegae Centum City is operating a pop-up store for the 'K-Heritage' collection by National Geographic Apparel in collaboration with the Cultural Heritage Administration on the basement level until today.This collection features modern graphics and designs inspired by traditional Korean elements such as Hangeul, folk paintings, and mother-of-pearl. The pop-up showcases a variety of products, including T-shirts, outerwear, and running concept items featuring Hangeul, the Ten Symbols of Longevity, and Dancheong graphics, as well as children's items like dresses and pajama sets, with some products available in limited quantities.Accessories such as mother-of-pearl keychains, square carabiner keychains, round folding fans, and business card cases are also for sale.The pop-up space includes photo zones, folk painting zones, Hangeul zones, and mother-of-pearl zones, offering visitors a chance to participate in a gacha machine for a chance to win a sock set or mug by uploading their visit on social media. A promotion is also running where customers can receive a mother-of-pearl hand mirror and a personalized wooden stamp based on their purchase amount.18th Hope Scholarship for Local Talent... 130 Million Won Awarded to 122 YouthOn July 16, Shinsegae Centum City held the '18th Hope Scholarship Award Ceremony' at the department store, distributing 130 million won in scholarships to 122 local youth.Among them, 50 middle and high school students from Haeundae District received 5 million won each, totaling 50 million won. Haeundae District recommended these students, who face academic challenges due to financial difficulties.Attendees at the ceremony included Kim Seong-soo, Mayor of Haeundae District; Han Dong-in, Director of Planning at Busan Metropolitan Office of Education; Jo Yu-jin, Head of the Busan Regional Office of the Green Umbrella Child Fund; and Kwak Young-min, Manager of Shinsegae Centum City.Since its opening in 2009, this initiative has reached its 18th year, with a total donation amount of 2.19 billion won and over 2,200 beneficiaries.Shinsegae Centum City has also launched a local coexistence campaign, 'SHINSEGAE LOVES BUSAN,' and established a volunteer group under the same name to expand its community support activities.Kim Seong-soo expressed gratitude to Shinsegae Centum City for its consistent support, stating, 'I appreciate Shinsegae Centum City for continuously helping local youth not to give up on their dreams due to financial difficulties.' He added, 'We will further expand public-private cooperation and welfare resource connections to ensure that our youth can focus on their studies in a stable environment and nurture their future dreams.'Kwak Young-min stated, 'We will continue to support children who will lead the future of our community, so they can pursue their studies with hope and courage.'* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-30 14:52:00
  • National Pension Fund Faces 200 Trillion Won Loss Amid Market Volatility
    National Pension Fund Faces 200 Trillion Won Loss Amid Market Volatility Recent estimates suggest that the National Pension Service's evaluation gains from domestic stocks have sharply declined amid increasing market volatility.On July 30, related industry sources and online communities reported the spread of these estimates.The disclosed data includes projections of the National Pension's evaluation gains based on fluctuations in the KOSPI index, as well as analyses regarding the extension of the pension depletion period. Notably, the data indicates that while the KOSPI reached approximately 314 trillion won in mid-June, when it was around 9,100 points, it has recently dropped to an estimated 95 trillion won due to falling stock prices. This decline translates to a loss exceeding 200 trillion won on paper.The controversy centers on the issues of insufficient 'rebalancing' and 'equity in disclosures.' During market upswings, unrealized gains were promoted as a means to extend the pension depletion period, but critics argue that there has been a lack of official explanations regarding the substantial unrealized losses and declines in evaluation gains during downturns.According to data from the Korea Exchange, pension funds, including the National Pension, were net buyers in the KOSPI market, purchasing over 100 billion won even during the market downturn in July. On days when the market experienced significant declines, they maintained a net buying trend, acquiring more than 110 billion won, prioritizing purchases over realizing profits through sales.As news of this situation spread, criticism erupted on internet communities and social media. Users expressed dissatisfaction, stating, "When profits were up, they promoted unrealized gains to delay pension depletion, but now they remain silent amid hundreds of trillions in evaluation losses," and "The National Pension has only enriched foreign investors."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-30 14:48:00
  • Lotte Innovate Shares Surge Over 10% Following Strong Q2 Earnings
    Lotte Innovate Shares Surge Over 10% Following Strong Q2 Earnings Lotte Innovate's shares have surged more than 10% following the announcement of strong second-quarter earnings.According to the Korea Exchange, as of 2:30 PM, Lotte Innovate's stock was trading at 17,640 won, up 1,610 won (10.04%) from the previous trading day. The company started the day on a weak note but began to gain momentum after announcing its Q2 results at 10:10 AM.Lotte Innovate reported a consolidated operating profit of 12.4 billion won for the second quarter of this year, a 54% increase compared to the same period last year. Revenue for the same period remained stable at 274.5 billion won, while the operating profit margin rose by 1.7 percentage points to 4.5%.The company attributed its improved performance to selective orders focused on profitability, enhanced project execution efficiency, and the recovery of profits from key subsidiaries.Lotte Innovate is also expanding its medium- to long-term growth initiatives. The company plans to strengthen its business in data center design, construction, and operation (DBO) and artificial intelligence transformation (AX), while actively targeting AX demand from both group companies and external clients using its own AI platform, 'iMember,' and external generative AI.A Lotte Innovate representative stated, "We will continue our profitability-focused management approach while actively commercializing future growth businesses such as data center DBO and AX to solidify our sustainable growth foundation."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-30 14:48:00
  • South Korea to field about 1,100 athletes at Asian Games in Japan this fall
    South Korea to field about 1,100 athletes at Asian Games in Japan this fall SEOUL, July 30 (AJP) - South Korea will field about 1,100 athletes in 41 disciplines at the upcoming Asian Games in Japan this fall, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism said on Thursday. According to the ministry, an intra-agency task force formed to prepare for the 20th Asian Games is holding its first meeting ahead of the quadrennial sporting event, slated to take place in Aichi Prefecture and its capital city of Nagoya from Sept. 19 to Oct. 4, which would bring together more than 15,000 participants from 45 countries. The task force, consisting of sports experts, officials and other organizers, is discussing overall preparations as well as detailed administrative and medical support measures to help athletes maintain their performance and ensure their safety. It is also making arrangements to accommodate athletes, as this year's Asian Games will be held across multiple venues in Aichi, with some competitions taking place in other cities such as Shizuoka and Tokyo. Athletes may need to stay at several sites rather than in a single athletes' village. The ministry also plans to hold various events and exchange programs as part of efforts to promote Korean culture and tourism by leveraging strong interest in South Korean popular culture in Japan. During the ensuing Asian Para Games, which run from Oct. 18 to 24, drawing about 4,000 participants from 45 countries including some 300 South Korean athletes competing in 18 disciplines, similar events are also planned. "We will work with relevant agencies to proactively address any potential challenges and issues while providing the necessary support to help national team athletes compete at their best," said Kang Dae-geum, a ministry official. 2026-07-30 14:40:13
  • LG Electronics Reports Record Q2 Revenue and Operating Profit Driven by Home Appliances and Automotive Business
    LG Electronics Reports Record Q2 Revenue and Operating Profit Driven by Home Appliances and Automotive Business LG Electronics reported record revenue and operating profit for the second quarter of this year, driven by growth in its home appliances and automotive businesses. The expansion of premium product sales and improvements in cost competitiveness boosted profitability. The company is also accelerating growth in new businesses, including robotics and AI data center cooling solutions, alongside its B2B and subscription services.On July 30, LG Electronics announced that its consolidated revenue for the second quarter reached 23.8265 trillion won, with an operating profit of 1.5791 trillion won. This marks a 14.9% increase in revenue and a 147% increase in operating profit compared to the same period last year.Despite unfavorable external conditions, such as conflicts in the Middle East, the home appliances division continued to show solid growth. Increased TV sales due to sporting events and growth in the automotive sector also contributed to the overall revenue increase.Operating profit more than doubled from the previous year, thanks to the revenue growth and the expansion of high-value product sales. Improvements in cost structures and supply chains, along with the implementation of an emergency management system to address uncertainties in the business environment, also enhanced profitability. The recognition of a one-time gain from tariff refunds on U.S. exports last year further contributed to this result.The B2B and subscription businesses, key components of the company's structural transformation, continued to grow. In the second quarter, B2B revenue reached 6.5 trillion won, a 5% increase from the same period last year. Excluding LG Innotek, the B2B segment accounted for 36% of total revenue.Revenue from the subscription business, which combines products and services, reached 660 billion won, also a 5% increase year-on-year. The company is expanding its competitive edge in home appliance subscriptions from the domestic market to overseas markets, strengthening its business model to generate continuous service revenue after product sales.The Home Appliance Solutions (HS) division recorded revenue of 7.0757 trillion won and an operating profit of 685.9 billion won. This marks the first time quarterly revenue exceeded 7 trillion won, with an operating profit margin nearing 10% at 9.7%.The two-track strategy targeting both premium products and mid-range volume zones has proven successful. Optimizing cost structures and supply chains, along with the tariff refund effect, contributed to profit growth. In response to potential demand stagnation in the third quarter, LG Electronics plans to focus on the relatively stable demand in the global South market and will also ramp up its robotics actuator business.The Media Solutions (MS) division, responsible for TV and platform businesses, reported revenue of 5.1146 trillion won and an operating profit of 219.4 billion won. Sales of premium TVs, including OLED and QNED models, increased, and the division continued to grow in the global South region. The expansion of the profitable webOS platform business also supported performance improvements.The Vehicle Solutions (VS) division achieved record revenue of 3.0259 trillion won and operating profit of 191.2 billion won for the second quarter. This marks the second consecutive quarter with revenue exceeding 3 trillion won, with an operating profit margin of 6.3%. The division is recognized for its stable revenue growth based on accumulated orders, establishing itself as a B2B cash cow.The Energy Solutions (ES) division reported revenue of 2.7261 trillion won and operating profit of 235.8 billion won. Increased sales of air conditioners overseas contributed to revenue growth, maintaining a solid operating profit margin of 8.6%.Leveraging its cooling and heating capabilities, LG Electronics is also expanding its AI data center (AIDC) cooling solutions business. The company’s independently developed cooling water distribution unit (CDU) is poised to enter the global AIDC supply chain. As the importance of heat management and energy efficiency in data centers grows with the expansion of AI infrastructure, LG plans to cultivate cooling solutions as a next-generation B2B growth driver.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-30 14:40:00
  • Lotte Fine Chemical Reports 611.5% Surge in Q2 Operating Profit
    Lotte Fine Chemical Reports 611.5% Surge in Q2 Operating Profit Lotte Fine Chemical announced on July 30 that it recorded sales of 586.3 billion won and an operating profit of 61.9 billion won for the second quarter of 2026. Compared to the same period last year, sales increased by 38.1%, while operating profit surged by 611.5%.The improvement in performance was influenced by a general market recovery due to rising international prices of major products and increased sales in specialty businesses, including food and pharmaceutical cellulose and semiconductor material TMAC.Sales of food and pharmaceutical cellulose began to ramp up in the second quarter, following production from the newly expanded facility. This cellulose is used in plant-based pharmaceutical capsules and tablet coatings, and the market has been steadily growing due to rising interest in health and wellness.Sales of TMAC, a semiconductor material, also increased in the second quarter, driven by rising demand in the semiconductor market. TMAC (tetramethylammonium chloride) is a key raw material for TMAH (tetramethylammonium hydroxide), which is used in semiconductor and display circuit development processes.On the same day, Lotte Fine Chemical announced it would invest 13 billion won to expand TMAC production in response to increasing semiconductor demand. The company plans to raise its already leading TMAC production capacity from 55,000 tons per year to 64,000 tons by the second quarter of 2028, an increase of 9,000 tons, or about 16%.Lotte Fine Chemical is also expanding its clean ammonia business, including ship fuel supply, based on its infrastructure as Asia's largest ammonia terminal, aiming to become the leading clean ammonia hub in Asia.CEO Jeong Seung-won stated, "In the second quarter, our performance improved due to the overall market recovery of major products and the expansion of sales in specialty businesses like food and pharmaceutical cellulose and semiconductor material TMAC. We decided to invest in TMAC expansion to proactively respond to increasing semiconductor demand, and we will continue to strengthen our competitiveness in the eco-friendly business through the expansion of our ammonia ship fuel business."Meanwhile, Lotte Fine Chemical announced in April that it had commercialized ammonia ship fuel for the first time in the world.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-30 14:36:00
  • Samsung Electronics Reports Record Earnings, Stock Remains Steady
    Samsung Electronics Reports Record Earnings, Stock Remains Steady Samsung Electronics has reported its highest-ever earnings for the second quarter of this year, yet its stock has shown only modest gains. Analysts suggest that the market has already priced in much of the expected performance, leading to a cautious outlook on future profitability.As of 2:29 PM on the Korea Exchange, Samsung's stock was trading at 209,500 won, up 0.48% (1,000 won) from the previous trading day.On this day, Samsung announced that its consolidated operating profit for the second quarter reached 89.4924 trillion won, a staggering increase of 1,013.8% compared to the same period last year. Revenue surged to 171.4995 trillion won, up 130%, while net profit soared to 71.6245 trillion won, marking a 1,299.9% increase.This performance marks the third consecutive quarter of record earnings for Samsung. The Device Solutions (DS) division, which oversees the semiconductor business, was the primary driver of this success, reporting sales of 127.5 trillion won and an operating profit of 89.2 trillion won, both setting new records.In contrast, the Device Experience (DX) division, responsible for smartphones and home appliances, faced challenges due to rising component prices, generating sales of 48 trillion won but incurring an operating loss of 800 billion won.Market sentiment is currently focused more on future growth drivers and shareholder return policies rather than the record earnings themselves. Samsung announced a cash dividend of 374 won per share for both common and preferred stocks. The dividend yield stands at 0.1% for common shares and 0.2% for preferred shares, with a total dividend payout of approximately 24.559 trillion won. The record date for the dividend was June 30, and payments are scheduled for August 28.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-30 14:36:00
  • Hyundai Motor union warns of disciplinary action over strike violations
    Hyundai Motor union warns of disciplinary action over strike violations SEOUL, July 30 (AJP) - Members of Hyundai Motor's labor union who continue working during scheduled strike hours could face disciplinary action, with additional walkouts threatened against entire departments if violations are confirmed, the union said Thursday. The warning came as the union entered its third round of partial strikes this week after wage and collective bargaining talks with the automaker stalled. The union plans four-hour walkouts through Friday, with both production and office workers taking part. Hyundai Motor shares were trading at 345,000 won as of 2:12 p.m. Thursday on the Korea Exchange, down 2.40%, or 8,500 won, from the previous close of 353,500 won. The stock had climbed as high as 369,000 won earlier in the session before falling back. It was not immediately clear whether the decline was tied to the strike or to broader market conditions. Unlike production workers, whose duties stop when assembly lines shut down, office employees often return to accumulated workloads after participating in strikes because many administrative responsibilities must still be completed afterward. Some office workers also handle time-sensitive tasks involving suppliers, financial institutions and other outside parties, making it difficult to suspend work without creating backlogs or missing contractual deadlines. The union said members who work during strike hours at management's request could face disciplinary measures, with additional strike action possible against their departments. It added that employees who voluntarily continue working without management's instruction could also face sanctions for violating strike guidelines. The union's stance has raised questions about the scope of its internal disciplinary authority. In a separate recent case, the Seoul Southern District Court ruled that a labor union could not expel members solely for refusing to participate in industrial action, saying the alleged violations and the union's disciplinary grounds had not been sufficiently established. The current round of walkouts will continue through Friday before the union begins its summer vacation. Its central strike committee is scheduled to meet on Aug. 11 to review the status of negotiations and decide whether to escalate industrial action. The union is seeking a 149,600-won increase in monthly base pay, a bonus equivalent to 30 percent of last year's net profit, a bonus increase from 750 percent to 800 percent of base pay, an extension of the retirement age linked to national pension eligibility, stronger job protections as artificial intelligence and robotics are introduced, and the adoption of a fully fixed monthly wage system. 2026-07-30 14:31:35