Latest by
-
Jindo County Launches Operation of New Community Center Following Coastal Revitalization Project Jindo County has officially launched the operation of the Shin-gi Vitality Center, a multi-purpose space for residents and visitors, following the completion of the Shin-gi Port Coastal Revitalization 300 project.The project, which cost a total of 8.784 billion won, was completed to enhance community engagement and boost tourism in the region, the county announced on July 30.A community event was held recently at the Shin-gi Vitality Center, attended by Jindo County Mayor Lee Jae-gak, local residents, and officials. Attendees toured the newly established facility and discussed future operational directions and usage plans.The Shin-gi Vitality Center features a first floor with a restaurant and a space for selling local specialties, while the second floor serves as a multi-purpose area for community meetings, educational programs, and various community activities.The county plans to use the revenue generated from the center's operations to maintain and manage the facility, establishing a self-sustaining operational foundation.Additionally, Jindo County aims to expand community engagement programs and various cultural and experiential activities centered around the Shin-gi Vitality Center to invigorate the fishing village and establish a sustainable operational system.The Shin-gi Port Coastal Revitalization 300 project is a government initiative aimed at renovating aging port facilities and improving living conditions in fishing villages.This project has led to the establishment of the Shin-gi Vitality Center, coastal walking paths, and community sea gardens, enhancing convenience for residents and strengthening the tourism infrastructure.Mayor Lee Jae-gak expressed hope that the Shin-gi Vitality Center will become a central space for community communication and activities, as well as a new hub for tourists. He added, "We will continue to pursue various projects aimed at improving living conditions in fishing villages and revitalizing the local economy." Meanwhile, Jindo County plans to focus on sustainable development and economic revitalization in fishing villages by expanding living social infrastructure, improving port environments, and utilizing local specialized resources based on the Coastal Revitalization 300 project.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-30 16:12:10 -
Police Refer Yoon Suk Yeol to Prosecutors Over Kim Geon-hee Stock Manipulation Denial Police have referred former President Yoon Suk Yeol to prosecutors for allegedly making false statements regarding his wife Kim Geon-hee's involvement in stock manipulation related to Deutsche Motors during the 20th presidential election. Although prosecutors initially deemed it difficult to establish charges, police decided to proceed based on a recent guilty ruling against Yoon in a separate election law violation case.According to legal sources on July 30, the Special Investigation Unit of the National Police Agency transferred Yoon to the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office on charges of making false statements under the Public Official Election Act. The unit concluded that the allegations were substantiated after a comprehensive review of the facts and legal precedents.Yoon is accused of denying allegations of Kim's involvement in stock manipulation from October 2021 to February 2022, during the People Power Party's presidential primary and general election.Specifically, during a candidate debate on October 15, 2021, he allegedly stated that Kim had distanced herself from Lee Jeong-pil, who was identified as a key figure in the stock manipulation, saying, "She reported losses and withdrew her money, severing ties with him." In February of the following year, he claimed that Kim had not participated in any stock manipulation.Police reportedly interpreted Yoon's statements as a complete denial of the allegations against Kim, considering the overall context and how an average voter would perceive them.Prosecutors, however, expressed a different view. During pre-consultation with police, the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office indicated that the problematic statements could be limited to the first half of 2010, when Kim allegedly suffered losses after entrusting her account to Lee. They suggested that establishing charges would be difficult, emphasizing the need to distinguish between the timing of Kim's losses and the period of stock manipulation that was later recognized as guilty.The police's decision to ultimately refer the case was influenced by a ruling on July 27, where Yoon was found guilty in a separate election law violation case. The Seoul Central District Court's 21st Criminal Division, led by Judge Jo Soon-pyo, recognized Yoon's guilt for making false statements regarding his introduction of a lawyer to former Yongsan Tax Office chief Yoon Woo-jin and his acquaintance with Jeon Seong-bae of Geun-jin Beopsa.The court determined that when assessing the establishment of false statement charges, it is essential to consider the context and how an average voter would understand the statements at the time, rather than analyzing individual phrases retrospectively. The court interpreted the expression "introduced a lawyer" to encompass not only formal hiring but also actions that connect or facilitate introductions. Police appear to have applied this standard to Yoon's statements regarding Deutsche Motors as well.Previously, police had communicated their referral opinion to prosecutors in accordance with investigative guidelines that allow for consultation on whether to refer election-related cases. Although prosecutors expressed opposition, police maintained their position after reviewing the recent ruling.Some of Kim's allegations related to Deutsche Motors have been recognized as guilty in the appellate court and are pending a decision from the Supreme Court's full bench.The key issue now is whether prosecutors will proceed with charges. The statute of limitations for election law violations is six months from the election date, but it has been suspended during Yoon's term, which began on May 10, 2022, due to constitutional non-prosecution privileges. Prosecutors have also stated that the statute of limitations for the false statement case related to Deutsche Motors was suspended during Yoon's term.This case has since been transferred to the Kim Geon-hee special investigation team, led by Special Prosecutor Min Jung-ki. Article 4 of the Kim Geon-hee Special Investigation Law stipulates that the statute of limitations for cases specified in the law is suspended from the date of the law's promulgation until the end of the special investigation period.After the conclusion of the three major special investigations, it is understood that the statute of limitations has been further suspended in conjunction with the activities of the comprehensive special investigation team, led by Special Prosecutor Kwon Chang-young. The investigation period for the comprehensive special investigation has recently been extended for the third time, now set to conclude by August 23. Investigative agencies believe that excluding Yoon's term and the special investigation period, the statute of limitations for this case will expire in September.Attention is now focused on whether prosecutors will maintain their previous position of not filing charges or accept the recent court ruling applied by police to refer Yoon for additional prosecution.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-30 16:12:00 -
KOSDAQ Faces Worst Decline Since Dot-Com Bubble, Delisting Risks Surge 코스닥 시장이 2000년 닷컴버블 붕괴 이후 최악의 하락장을 맞으면서 상장폐지 우려가 커지고 있다. 올해 상장유지 요건이 강화된 가운데 주가 급락으로 시가총액 200억원을 밑도는 기업이 석 달 만에 3배 가까이 늘면서 상당수 기업이 상장폐지 위험권에 진입했다. 30일 한국거래소에 따르면 코스닥지수는 전 거래일보다 17.90포인트(2.70%) 내린 644.78에 거래를 마쳤다. 지난 4월 27일 기록한 연고점(1226.18)과 비교하면 석 달 만에 47.4% 급락했다. 이달에만 30% 넘게 하락하며 지난해 4월 이후 가장 낮은 수준으로 내려앉았다. 이번 조정은 단순한 하락장을 넘어 닷컴버블 당시와 비교될 정도의 낙폭이다. 벤처기업 열풍이 정점을 찍었던 2000년 코스닥은 3월 10일부터 12월 26일까지 약 81% 폭락했다. 이후 글로벌 금융위기와 코로나19 팬데믹 등 여러 위기를 겪었지만 올해처럼 단기간에 40%를 웃도는 급락을 기록한 사례는 사실상 닷컴버블 이후 처음이다. 문제는 지수 하락이 개별 기업의 상장 유지 여부에도 영향을 미치고 있다는 점이다. 한국거래소는 코스닥 상장유지 기준을 강화해 시가총액 200억원 미만 상태가 일정 기간 지속되면 관리종목으로 지정하고 이후에도 요건을 충족하지 못하면 상장폐지 절차를 밟도록 제도를 개편했다. 실제 상장유지 기준을 밑도는 기업은 급격히 증가했다. 정부의 코스닥 활성화 정책 기대감으로 지수가 연고점을 기록했던 지난 4월 27일 종가 기준 시가총액 200억원 미만 상장사(스팩 제외)는 62곳이었다. 그러나 코스닥 급락이 이어진 30일 기준으로는 170곳으로 늘었다. 석 달 만에 108곳이 증가하면서 상장폐지 위험권에 있는 기업이 약 2.8배로 불어난 셈이다. 증권업계에서는 코스닥 약세가 장기화할 경우 상장폐지 대상 기업이 더 늘어날 수 있다고 우려한다. 시가총액 하락으로 상장 유지 요건을 충족하지 못하는 기업이 증가하면 투자심리 위축은 물론 자금조달에도 어려움을 겪을 가능성이 크기 때문이다. 다만 증권가에서는 최근 코스닥 급락에도 낙폭 과대에 따른 반등 가능성은 남아 있다고 보고 있다. 이재원 유안타증권 연구원은 "코스닥 약세를 단순히 수급 문제만으로 설명하기는 어렵다"며 "바이오와 이차전지 업종의 실적 및 자금조달 불확실성이 지수 하락을 키웠지만 반복된 악재로 밸류에이션 부담과 위험 프리미엄도 상당 부분 해소됐다"고 분석했다. 이어 "31일부터 시행되는 단일종목 레버리지 ETF 규제로 대형 반도체 중심의 자금 쏠림이 일부 완화될 수 있고 코스닥 관련 정책도 순차적으로 추진되고 있다"며 "낙폭 과대와 이익 개선, 정책 수급이 맞물릴 경우 우량 성장주를 중심으로 점진적인 정상화가 나타날 가능성이 있다"고 전망했다.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-30 16:12:00 -
Daehan Electric Wire Reports Record Q2 Revenue and Operating Profit Daehan Electric Wire achieved its highest quarterly performance to date, driven by strong demand in its high-voltage (HV) and submarine cable businesses. The company reported a record backlog of over 4 trillion won for the first time in its history, bolstered by increased global investment in power networks.On July 30, Daehan Electric Wire announced its preliminary results for the second quarter, reporting revenue of 1.1987 trillion won and an operating profit of 608 billion won. This marks a 30.8% increase in revenue and a 113% increase in operating profit compared to the same period last year. Both figures represent the highest quarterly results in the company's history.Following its first quarter of surpassing 1 trillion won in revenue last year, the company has maintained this level for three consecutive quarters, demonstrating both growth and profitability.For the first half of the year, cumulative revenue reached 2.282 trillion won, with operating profit totaling 1.213 trillion won, reflecting increases of 28.8% and 117.8%, respectively, compared to the same period last year. Notably, the operating profit for the first half alone exceeded 94% of last year's total annual operating profit of 1.286 trillion won.The improvement in performance was primarily driven by the high-voltage and submarine cable sectors. Sales from domestic and international power network projects, including those in North America and Singapore, contributed significantly to this growth. The industrial wire segment, supplying to plants and infrastructure, also benefited from increased domestic and international projects.New orders continued to rise steadily, with the company securing 727.2 billion won in new contracts during the second quarter. By the end of the second quarter, the backlog reached 4.0629 trillion won, surpassing 4 trillion won for the first time in the company's history. This growth reflects increased investment in power networks and rising demand for high-voltage cables, as well as enhanced competitiveness in the global market.Daehan Electric Wire noted that the expanded backlog provides a stable revenue base for the coming years, enhancing the visibility of its performance.During an investor relations meeting held on the same day, the company highlighted its competitive edge in the high-voltage direct current (HVDC) and submarine cable sectors, which it is developing as next-generation growth drivers. The company emphasized its capabilities in executing HVDC turnkey projects, including the recently secured '500kV HVDC East Coast to East Seoul Construction Project (EP2)', which encompasses design, production, testing, and construction.Building on this foundation, Daehan Electric Wire plans to expand its presence not only in the domestic power network market but also in the global HVDC market. The HVDC market is rapidly growing due to the global expansion of renewable energy and increasing interconnections between national power grids.The company has also strengthened its competitiveness in the submarine cable sector, recently acquiring a 11,000-ton submarine cable-laying vessel, the 'Scandi Connector'. Together with the existing 'Palos', Daehan Electric Wire has established the only CLV fleet in the country, enabling it to perform turnkey operations from production to transportation, laying, and construction.A company representative stated, "With the expansion of AI data centers and increased global investment in power networks, the high-voltage and submarine cable markets are entering a significant growth phase. Based on our backlog exceeding 4 trillion won, we will continue to achieve stable growth while further expanding our global market presence in high-value sectors such as HVDC and submarine cables."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-30 16:12:00 -
With probe into local elections extended, ballots set to be recounted next month SEOUL, July 30 (AJP) - Ballots from the June 3 local elections kept in southern Seoul are expected to be opened and recounted next month as part of a parliamentary investigation into a shortage of ballot papers that disrupted the elections. A parliamentary committee consisting of ruling and opposition lawmakers agreed Thursday to extend its probe into alleged irregularities during the elections by about a month until the end of August, with its initial 45-day period set to expire this weekend. The committee also tentatively agreed to open some 380 ballot boxes containing about 2.48 million ballot papers at an indoor handball gymnasium within the Olympic Park in Songpa, which served as a ballot-counting site. The ballot papers are slated to be recounted on Aug. 18. They have been stored there for more than a month since access to the site was restricted after protesters began holding rallies in front of the gymnasium, calling for an inquiry into the alleged infringement of their voting rights. Thursday's extension came after the committee decided to continue discussions on election-related reform measures, with the scope of its investigation covering how the ballot paper shortage occurred, as well as any administrative lapses and management flaws at the National Election Commission (NEC), which oversees the country's elections. 2026-07-30 16:09:02 -
Chinese Stock Market Declines Amid AI Investment Concerns; Bank Stocks Rise The Chinese stock market, which rose the previous day, fell on July 30, influenced by a decline in global tech stocks. On this day, the Shanghai Composite Index closed down 0.62% at 3,804.69, the Shenzhen Component Index fell 2.73% to 13,285.80, and the ChiNext Index dropped 3.97% to 3,244.62. Concerns in the market were heightened following earnings reports from major U.S. tech companies. While Microsoft maintained growth in its AI business, Meta reported a significant decline in free cash flow due to heavy AI investments. This has led to skepticism about the slow revenue generation from increasing AI investments. As the global semiconductor and AI sectors showed overall weakness, Chinese stocks related to these industries also struggled. Notably, companies involved in optical modules, AI servers, semiconductor equipment, and GPU supply chains experienced significant declines. Additionally, the stock of Zhongji Xuchuang, a leading Chinese optical module company listed in Hong Kong, negatively impacted the Chinese market, dropping nearly 10% on its first trading day. Investors appeared fatigued with AI-related stocks, citing high valuations and concerns over short-term performance as reasons for not purchasing Zhongji Xuchuang shares. CITIC Securities noted in a report that while the U.S. Federal Reserve held interest rates steady on July 29, it left the door open for future rate hikes. There are expectations that the Fed may raise rates twice by the first quarter of next year, but it is anticipated that rates will remain unchanged for the rest of this year. Bank stocks were a highlight of the day, with Industrial and Commercial Bank of China and China Construction Bank rising to record highs. The cash dividends from the 41 listed banks reached 645.6 billion yuan, an increase of approximately 13.5 billion yuan from the previous year. This marks the third consecutive year that bank cash dividends have hit record highs. The white liquor sector also saw gains, with Jinhuiju and Shede Liquor reaching their daily price limits. Huatai Securities reported that the fund's holdings in the white liquor sector have fallen to their lowest level since 2012, indicating an ongoing oversold condition. The firm anticipates that the white liquor sector has already dropped to historical lows and is likely to recover soon. Meanwhile, the People's Bank of China set the yuan's central parity rate against the dollar at 6.7892 yuan, a decrease of 0.0007 yuan from the previous trading day, reflecting a 0.01% increase in the yuan's value.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-30 16:08:00 -
Hampyeong County Enhances Water Safety Guidelines for Summer Activities Hampyeong County in South Jeolla Province is ramping up safety measures as the summer vacation season begins, anticipating an increase in water activity participants.On July 30, the county announced that it is focusing on promoting basic safety rules, including the mandatory wearing of life jackets and the importance of warm-up exercises, to prevent water-related accidents during the peak summer vacation period.According to the county, many summer water accidents occur due to a failure to follow safety guidelines or overestimating one's swimming abilities, making adherence to basic preventive measures crucial.As part of these efforts, the county urges individuals to perform adequate warm-up exercises before swimming and to wear safety equipment such as life jackets. It also emphasizes that individuals should avoid entering deep or restricted areas and that children must always swim with a guardian.Additionally, the county advises against swimming after consuming alcohol and stresses the need for quick action in case of an accident, including calling for help and notifying emergency services.To prevent summer accidents, Hampyeong County conducts weekly safety inspections at major swimming locations. The county is actively removing potential hazards and continuously monitoring facility conditions while promoting safety guidelines through banners, electronic displays, the county's website, and social media.Given the expected surge in water activity participants during the vacation season, the county plans to continue its efforts to raise safety awareness and prevent accidents.Lee Nam-o, the mayor of Hampyeong County, stated, "Water-related accidents can be effectively prevented by simply following basic safety rules. I hope everyone practices safety measures such as wearing life jackets and swimming with guardians to ensure a safe and enjoyable summer for all."Meanwhile, the Ministry of the Interior and Safety continues to emphasize adherence to basic safety rules, including wearing life jackets, prohibiting swimming after drinking, and ensuring children are accompanied by guardians, while local governments are strengthening safety inspections and preventive promotions in water activity management areas.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-30 16:08:00 -
National Assembly Passes Special Prosecutor Law Amid Election Controversy On July 30, the National Assembly passed the Special Prosecutor Law aimed at investigating the shortage of ballots during the June 3 local elections. The deadline for the National Assembly's special investigation committee was also extended. A recount is set to take place on August 18.During the afternoon session, the National Assembly voted on the "Law on the Appointment of a Special Prosecutor to Investigate Allegations of Voter Rights Violations During the 9th Nationwide Simultaneous Local Elections," with 226 votes in favor and 2 against out of 228 members present.The special prosecutor will have 20 days from the date of appointment to prepare for the investigation and must complete the investigation within 90 days after the preparation period ends, deciding whether to file charges. If necessary, the investigation period can be extended twice, each time for 30 days.Previously, the method for recommending the special prosecutor was agreed upon by the Democratic Party and the People Power Party on July 21. Each party will recommend three candidates to form a public recommendation committee, which will then receive recommendations for six special prosecutor candidates from the Korean Bar Association and the Council of Law Schools. The two candidates selected by bipartisan agreement will be submitted to the president for appointment.The investigation will focus on the ballot shortage during the June 3 local elections, as well as allegations of overseas trips by current and former election commission staff, preferential promotions for their children, irregular hiring practices, and issues related to the management, security, and operation of the election commission's election management system.Additionally, the National Assembly approved the extension of the National Assembly Special Committee's activities to investigate the voter rights violations and election management reforms, with unanimous support from 225 members present. The committee's deadline, set to expire on July 31, will be extended by 30 days to accommodate the recount of 2.47 million ballots at the Jamsil counting center.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-30 16:04:10 -
Former KFA President Chung Mong-kyu and Coach Hong Myung-bo Deny Allegations at National Assembly Hearing Chung Mong-kyu, former president of the Korea Football Association (KFA), and Hong Myung-bo, former head coach of the South Korean national football team, faced intense criticism following their team's exit from the group stage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. They appeared at a National Assembly hearing on July 30, where they acknowledged the disappointing performance but denied allegations of opaque administrative practices and favoritism regarding the appointment of the head coach.The National Assembly's Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee convened the hearing to examine the KFA's operations, including the process of selecting the national team coach. Alongside Chung and Hong, witnesses included KFA vice presidents Lee Yong-soo and Kim Byung-ji, executive director Kim Seung-hee, and national team coach Kim Jin-kyu.During their opening statements, both Chung and Hong expressed regret over the team's World Cup results. Chung stated, "I feel deeply sorry for the series of controversies and the unsatisfactory outcome of the World Cup. As the KFA president, I take full responsibility and apologize for not meeting the expectations of the public and football fans."Hong echoed this sentiment, saying, "I want to first apologize to the public for not meeting their expectations during the World Cup. I take the responsibility seriously for not delivering on the hopes placed in the national team."A key focus of the hearing was the controversy surrounding Hong's appointment as head coach, which emerged in July 2024. At that time, the KFA had entrusted the appointment authority to Lee Im-sang, the former technical director, despite the Performance Enhancement Committee being ineffective. Lee conducted a late-night interview near Hong's home without any observers or a formal questionnaire, raising concerns about procedural legitimacy.Lawmakers scrutinized the opaque decision-making process that led to the final selection of the head coach, questioning the KFA's governance. When Representative Bae Hyun-jin of the ruling People Power Party pointed out procedural issues, Hong dismissed the allegations of favoritism. He responded, "When I received the offer, I believed the process was normal. I understand that meeting near my home might seem opaque to the public, but I never requested any special treatment or benefits."Chung also defended the legitimacy of the appointment process, stating, "I am not rejecting the results of the special audit by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, but there are aspects that differ from the facts among various opinions. All coaches, including Hong, Jurgen Klinsmann, and Paulo Bento, were appointed through the same process."When Representative Lim Ok-kyung of the Democratic Party asked if the hearing would have taken place had the team advanced to the Round of 16, Chung replied, "I believe this hearing would not have occurred if we had reached the Round of 16."Additionally, Hong addressed allegations regarding his high salary. In response to a claim by Democratic Party Representative Jeong Joon-ho that he earned 3.8 billion won, Hong clarified, "Due to various legal clauses in the contract, I cannot disclose the exact amount, but it is definitely not 3.8 billion won. The amount was mutually agreed upon, and I never asked for more. I accepted the proposed amount as is."Meanwhile, Son Heung-min, who was excluded from the squad for the World Cup match against South Africa, made headlines by scoring multiple goals and being named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) at the Major League Soccer (MLS) All-Star Game held in North Carolina, USA, on the same day. 2026-07-30 16:04:10 -
Government Supports Scope 3 Emissions Calculation for Bio and Health Sector The South Korean government is set to assist bio and health companies in calculating their greenhouse gas emissions as the mandatory sustainability disclosure for KOSPI-listed companies with total assets exceeding 10 trillion won begins in 2028. The government plans to establish Scope 3 calculation standards that reflect the industry's characteristics, covering everything from raw material procurement to clinical trials, production, distribution, and disposal.On July 30, the Ministry of Climate Energy and Environment announced it will hold a 'Sustainability Disclosure Response Meeting for the Bio and Health Sector' at the Korea Press Center in Jung-gu, Seoul.Major companies in the bio and health sector, including Samsung Biologics, Samsung Bioepis, HK inno.N, GC Green Cross, and Hanmi Pharmaceutical, will attend the meeting. Relevant organizations such as the Korea Environmental Industry and Technology Institute, the Korea Accounting Standards Board, the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and the Korea Pharmaceutical and Bio Association will also participate.The government and industry representatives will review the companies' responses to domestic and international sustainability disclosures and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) regulations, and discuss specialized Scope 3 calculation systems and support measures for the bio and health sector.Scope 3 refers to indirect emissions that occur throughout the value chain, including raw material procurement, transportation, product use, and disposal, as opposed to Scope 1 emissions from facilities owned or controlled by the company and Scope 2 emissions from the use of purchased electricity and heat.Collecting data from suppliers and partners outside the company's control is often cited as one of the biggest challenges in the sustainability disclosure process. The bio and health industry, in particular, faces difficulties due to its lengthy value chain, which includes drug research and development, raw material procurement, clinical trials, production, storage, transportation, distribution, and disposal, making it hard to apply uniform standards.Last month, the Ministry of Climate Energy and Environment signed a memorandum of understanding with major companies in the bio and health sector to begin developing a specialized Scope 3 calculation guide. The plan is to analyze each company's business type, value chain, and major emission sources, incorporating real-world calculation examples to enhance practical usability.On the same day, the Korea Environmental Industry and Technology Institute will share the results of its Scope 3 calculation support project conducted for five sectors, including secondary batteries, semiconductors and displays, petrochemicals, and steel. The Korea Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering Association will also present the status and challenges of its ongoing Scope 3 calculation efforts in the shipbuilding sector, which began in March.Lee Ho-hyun, the second vice minister of the Climate Ministry, stated, "As sustainability disclosures and supply chain regulations expand, accurate and reliable ESG information is becoming a key factor in determining corporate competitiveness. We will work closely with the industry and relevant organizations to establish a Scope 3 calculation system that companies can practically utilize and enhance their disclosure response capabilities."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-30 16:04:00


