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Hankook Semiconductor Chairman Kwak Dong-shin Acquires Additional $4.2 Million in Company Shares Hankook Semiconductor Chairman Kwak Dong-shin announced on July 30 that he has acquired an additional 5 billion won (approximately $4.2 million) in company shares. This purchase fulfills a stock buyback plan disclosed on July 2.The acquisition price was set at 170,565 won per share, totaling 5 billion won. Following this transaction, Kwak's ownership stake has increased to 33.62%, or 32,048,145 shares. This marks the third stock buyback this year, following purchases of 3 billion won in April and 8 billion won in June, bringing his total stock buyback for 2023 to 16 billion won (about $13.5 million). Since 2023, his total personal stock acquisitions have reached 69.5 billion won (approximately $58.5 million).Kwak has received cumulative dividends of 64.74 billion won (around $54.5 million) since 2024, which he has reinvested into stock buybacks.Kwak's stock purchases reflect confidence in Hankook Semiconductor's technological capabilities and future growth in the global artificial intelligence (AI) semiconductor equipment market. The decision is also seen as a commitment to enhancing corporate value, given the perceived undervaluation of the company's stock amid strong growth momentum from its entry into the U.S. market and next-generation equipment supply.Hankook Semiconductor continues to grow based on its unique technological prowess. The company reported record second-quarter revenues of 251.1 billion won, the highest quarterly performance since its founding in 1980. Notably, the operating profit margin for the second quarter reached 51.9%, demonstrating exceptional profitability in the global semiconductor equipment market.Hankook Semiconductor holds the top position in the production of TC bonders, essential for high-bandwidth memory (HBM), a key component in AI semiconductors. The company is maintaining its leadership by supplying 'TC Bonder 4' equipment for HBM4 mass production and plans to release a prototype of its second-generation hybrid bonder equipment this year, with a 'wide TC bonder' set to launch in the first half of next year.The company is also intensifying its overseas expansion efforts. By the end of this year, Hankook Semiconductor plans to establish a subsidiary, 'Hankook USA,' in San Jose, California, to target the U.S. semiconductor market. With companies like SpaceX, Tesla, and xAI leading the 'TerraFab' initiative, along with Micron, SK Hynix, Amkor Technology, Intel, and TSMC expanding local manufacturing facilities supported by the U.S. government's CHIPS Act, Hankook Semiconductor aims to provide close technical support through its local subsidiary.A representative from Hankook Semiconductor stated, "Chairman Kwak's additional stock purchases reflect confidence in the company's growth driven by its U.S. expansion and equipment supply, as well as a commitment to responsible management. We will further solidify our leadership in the global AI semiconductor packaging market."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-30 09:56:10 -
China Will Not Implement Major Stimulus or Rate Cuts This Year, GDP Target Achievable China's GDP growth rate for the second quarter was 4.3%, falling short of expectations. However, analysts predict that the country will not announce any major stimulus measures or interest rate cuts.Xiong Yuan, chief economist at Guosheng Securities, stated, "It is unlikely that strong economic stimulus measures will be introduced at the Politburo meeting at the end of this month," according to a report by the Jiemian newspaper on July 30.Xiong noted that while the second quarter growth rate of 4.3% is below the government's GDP growth target of 4.5% to 5.0% for the year, the growth rate for the first half of the year stands at 4.7%, which is within the target range. He added, "To achieve the annual GDP growth target of 4.5%, the GDP growth rate in the second half only needs to exceed 4.3%, making it feasible to meet this year's goal." He explained that this is why China is unlikely to implement a large-scale stimulus and will focus on effectively utilizing existing policies.He also pointed out that recent statements from high-ranking officials indicate a distance from major stimulus measures. On July 13, Premier Li Qiang emphasized during a forum that existing policies should be effectively utilized and that any additional stimulus measures should be proactively researched and prepared. Zheng Shanjie, head of the National Development and Reform Commission, also mentioned the need to maximize the synergy of existing policies.Xiong remarked, "Recent high-level officials have all stressed the importance of effectively utilizing and implementing existing policies in a timely manner. Additional large-scale stimulus measures will be announced as needed based on specific circumstances."The likelihood of interest rate cuts in the second half of the year is also considered low. Wen Bin, chief economist at Minsheng Bank, stated, "Unless there is a significant slowdown in exports, which currently support the Chinese economy, or a rapid deterioration in the economy, the chances of a policy rate cut in the second half are slim. In the current situation, the People's Bank of China will maintain sufficient liquidity and focus on using policy tools to support development in key areas."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-30 09:56:00
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LG Household & Health Care Shares Surge Over 18% on Strong Q2 Results and Upgraded Price Targets LG Household & Health Care shares surged more than 18% in early trading following strong second-quarter results and upgraded price targets from analysts.As of 9:41 a.m. on July 30, the company’s stock was trading at 311,000 won, up 48,000 won (18.25%) from the previous trading day, according to the Korea Exchange.On July 29, LG Household & Health Care reported consolidated sales of 1.656 trillion won and an operating profit of 102.8 billion won for the second quarter of 2026. Compared to the same period last year, sales increased by 3.3%, while operating profit rose by 87.5%. Net profit reached 77.6 billion won, marking a 101.2% increase year-on-year.The improvement in performance was driven by the beauty segment, which saw sales rise to 818.4 billion won, a 3.9% increase from the previous year, and an operating profit of 44.4 billion won, marking a return to profitability. The Home Care and Daily Beauty (HDB) segment also reported sales of 377.6 billion won and an operating profit of 22.3 billion won, reflecting increases of 5.5% and 23.1%, respectively.In international markets, North American sales surged by 47.3% year-on-year to 205.8 billion won, surpassing sales in China for the first time, which totaled 176 billion won. Overall overseas sales reached 584.5 billion won, a 12.6% increase.However, it is important to note that this performance includes a one-time gain from U.S. customs refunds. The company stated that even without this factor, profitability improved due to the growth of premium brands and expansion in the North American market.Following the earnings announcement, analysts provided positive assessments. Son Min-young, a researcher at KB Securities, noted, "The cosmetics segment has entered a significant turnaround phase, and the revenue growth centered on the high-growth North American region is leading to improved profits. It is time for a reevaluation of the stock price."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-30 09:56:00
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Jung Cheong-rae Leads in First-Choice Votes Ahead of Democratic Party Convention As the Democratic Party prepares for its convention on August 17, candidate Jung Cheong-rae has emerged with a significant lead in first-choice votes, according to a recent poll. However, analysts caution that the outcome remains uncertain due to the preference voting system that will be used if no candidate secures a majority in the first round.On July 30, Media Tomato released results from a survey conducted from July 27 to 28, which included responses from 1,033 individuals aged 18 and older nationwide. The poll indicated that 36.9% of respondents would choose Jung as their first choice. Kim Min-seok followed with 28.0%, while Song Young-gil garnered 9.2%. Additionally, 21.8% of participants indicated they had no preferred candidate, and 4.1% were unsure.Among supporters of the Democratic Party, Kim Min-seok led with 44.9%, within the margin of error, while Jung received 38.9% and Song 11.2%.The upcoming convention will combine votes from delegates and party members, accounting for 70%, with public opinion polls making up the remaining 30%. The preference voting system is expected to play a crucial role. This system allows voters who selected a third-choice candidate to have their second-choice votes redistributed proportionally to the final two candidates. Some analysts suggest that Kim may benefit from votes that would otherwise go to Song, who is aligned with the same faction.The survey was conducted using an automated response system, achieving a response rate of 1.7%. The margin of error is ±3.0 percentage points at a 95% confidence level. For more details, please refer to the website of the National Election Survey Deliberation Commission.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-30 09:56:00
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U.S. Resumes Airstrikes on Iran in Response to Attacks The U.S. military conducted airstrikes on Iran in response to attacks on U.S. forces stationed in the Middle East.U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) announced on X (formerly Twitter) that airstrikes against Iran began at 8 p.m. Eastern Time on July 29.CENTCOM described the airstrikes as a strong response to Iran's attempted attack on U.S. forces the previous day, but did not disclose specific locations or targets of the strikes.The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) launched several ballistic missiles at U.S. forces in the region the day before. CENTCOM characterized this as a 'surprise attack attempt' and stated that all missiles were intercepted.At that time, CENTCOM did not specify which U.S. facilities were targeted. The IRGC claimed to have attacked the Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan and facilities associated with CENTCOM.President Donald Trump also warned of strong retaliation against Iran. On July 29, he stated, 'Now it is our turn to strike,' adding, 'We will hit very hard.'* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-30 09:52:00
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Zuckerberg: Personal AI Agents Will Become a Revenue Source, Used by Billions in 5 Years Meta anticipates that billions of people will use personal artificial intelligence (AI) agents within the next five years, aiming to establish this technology as a foundation for next-generation products and revenue streams.On July 29, during a quarterly earnings conference call, Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Meta, stated, "Looking five years ahead, it is highly unlikely that billions of people will not have personal agents that understand their goals and work 24/7 to help them achieve those goals." Zuckerberg explained that personal AI agents could assist users in various areas, including finance, health, relationships, and household management.He noted, "As we move toward a future where people interact with multiple AI agents, the importance of messaging services like WhatsApp and other Meta platforms will increase. WhatsApp is already a leading platform for users to interact with Meta AI." Meta views the market for agent-like AI, which goes beyond simply answering user questions to performing tasks on their behalf, as a key driver of future growth. Zuckerberg emphasized that the personal AI agents currently under development at Meta will serve as the basis for next-generation products and revenue sources in the coming months and years.This quarter, Meta launched enterprise AI agents through WhatsApp and Messenger, which have been adopted by over 1 million businesses worldwide. The company is expected to leverage the technology and user experience gained from its enterprise services to expand into personal AI agents.However, the substantial costs associated with AI investments are a concern. Meta reported a free cash flow of $784 million this quarter, a 91% decrease from $8.55 billion during the same period last year. Investments in AI data centers and computing infrastructure have impacted cash flow.Reality Labs, which oversees augmented reality (AR) glasses and virtual reality (VR) headsets, also reported an operating loss of approximately $4.6 billion this quarter, bringing its cumulative losses since 2021 to about $88 billion. Following the earnings announcement, Meta's stock price fell by about 10%.Meanwhile, Meta is accelerating its AI infrastructure expansion. This week, Meta and BlackRock announced plans to collaborate on building a $14 billion data center in El Paso, Texas.Zuckerberg stated, "I believe the profit margins will be much higher when selling intelligent services compared to directly selling computing resources, although selling computing resources can also present significant opportunities."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-30 09:52:00
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Hyundai Home Shopping Expands K-Beauty Market with Pop-Up Store in Jeju Hyundai Home Shopping is launching a pop-up store for the beauty brand 'Cohasis' in Jeju's Udo Island to expand the market for small K-beauty brands. The pop-up store will operate from August 1 through the end of the month at the café 'Hundertwassertwins' within the cultural and artistic complex 'Hundertwasser Park' in Udo, Jeju, the company announced on July 30. Hundertwasser Park is a major tourist destination in Jeju, featuring accommodations, an art museum, cafés, and walking paths, attracting approximately 150,000 visitors annually. The pop-up will offer 45 products from 22 domestic small beauty brands, focusing on skin soothing, hydration, and sun protection products to cater to the needs of tourists during the vacation season. Featured products include Centellian Madeca Cream, Mama Shu Cactus Sun Stick, and Jasderma PDRN Super Lifting Ampoule. All visitors will receive a collagen gel mask, and customers who spend over 30,000 won will receive a reusable bag featuring Udo-themed designs. Hyundai Home Shopping plans to assess whether the product offerings and competitive pricing of Cohasis resonate with tourists in this popular vacation spot. Cohasis opened its first store at Hyundai Premium Outlet Space One in December last year and has since expanded to Hyundai Department Store in Cheonho and Hyundai Outlet in Garden Five and Dongdaemun. Each location is tailored to its customer base, with Cheonho focusing on high-performance skincare, Garden Five on fragrances, and Dongdaemun targeting foreign tourists. The Space One location, Cohasis's first store, averages over 2,000 visitors daily, significantly exceeding the average foot traffic of existing beauty stores in Hyundai Outlet, according to the company. In addition to domestic sales, Hyundai Home Shopping is also supporting the international expansion of its partner brands. Earlier this month, the company assisted 15 Cohasis brands in participating in a Korean Wave Expo in Hanoi, Vietnam, where they engaged in export consultations worth approximately $7.94 million (about 12.2 billion won) with local buyers. Han Kwang-young, CEO of Hyundai Home Shopping, stated, "We will continue to explore offline distribution models that align with various markets and customer demands to expand Cohasis's customer touchpoints."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-30 09:52:00
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Rep. Jo Kyung-tae Criticizes Party Ethics Committee's Actions Rep. Jo Kyung-tae of the People Power Party criticized the party's Central Ethics Committee on July 30, claiming it is acting like an 'avatar' for party leader Jang Dong-hyuk.During an appearance on MBC Radio's 'Kim Jong-bae's Focus,' Jo stated, "There are claims that the guidelines allowing for discipline against actions that continuously and repeatedly disrupt the party leader or the normal operation of the party seem to be for 'loyalty pledges.'"He raised concerns about the decision to initiate disciplinary procedures against him and two other sitting lawmakers, which was made during a meeting attended by three ethics committee members. Jo emphasized, "If you ask ten people on the street who should leave our party and who is negatively impacting it, you will get an answer."Regarding Jang's emphasis on a 'party-centered party,' Jo remarked, "If that is the case, then the party name should not be the People Power Party, but 'Party Members' Power.' The next general election in two years will not be decided by party members; sovereignty comes from the people."Jo further pointed out, "The goal of a political party is to create a government and to take care of the people through good policies, but it seems that the current leader is more focused on maintaining vested interests." He noted that there are many concerns about the party becoming a personal entity.Additionally, he commented on the recent launch of a task force aimed at evaluating elected officials within the party, saying, "It seems to be presented as a kind of reform plan. However, the best reform for our party is personnel reform, and the first person who needs reform is the party leader himself."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-30 09:48:10
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Daewoong Pharmaceutical Expands Nabota into Kuwait, Leading K-Toxin Presence in Middle East Daewoong Pharmaceutical is expanding its market presence in the Middle East with its botulinum toxin product, Nabota. With its entry into Kuwait, the company has launched its product in a total of seven countries, setting a record for the most extensive reach among K-toxins.On July 30, Daewoong Pharmaceutical announced that it has begun supplying its premium botulinum toxin Nabota to Kuwait. This expansion brings Nabota to a total of seven countries, including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Turkey, Qatar, Egypt, and Bahrain.Botulinum toxin is a medication used to temporarily relax muscles for wrinkle reduction and jawline treatments. With this expansion, Nabota has established itself as a leading domestic toxin in the premium aesthetic market in the Middle East, including the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region.The GCC is a coalition of six oil-producing countries: Saudi Arabia, UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, and Oman, where high per capita income and consumer spending power are driving rapid growth in demand for premium aesthetic procedures.Kuwait has a botulinum toxin market valued at approximately 24 billion won and is considered a high-end market with a preference for premium products. The region is also characterized by active online and offline promotion of medical products, leading to intense competition among global aesthetic companies.Daewoong Pharmaceutical plans to officially launch Nabota in October in collaboration with local partners and will hold a launch symposium. About 200 medical professionals, including key opinion leaders from the government and private sectors, are expected to attend, with a Korean dermatologist sharing clinical experiences as a speaker.Additionally, the company aims to enhance local clinical experience and strengthen its medical network through nationwide sales and marketing activities, participation in major conferences, and cadaver courses for medical training.Yoon Jun-soo, head of Daewoong Pharmaceutical's Nabota business division, stated, "The entry into Kuwait is a significant milestone for Nabota's global premium brand advancement. We will focus our efforts on establishing Nabota as a representative toxin of Korea in the Middle East market."Meanwhile, Daewoong Pharmaceutical reported improved performance in the second quarter of this year, driven by increased sales of its flagship product, Nabota, in the United States. The company announced that its second-quarter revenue and operating profit reached 400.1 billion won and 77.1 billion won, respectively, marking increases of 10% and 23.4% compared to the same period last year. In the second quarter of the previous year, the company recorded revenues of 363.9 billion won and an operating profit of 62.5 billion won.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-30 09:48:00
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U.S. Interest Rate Hold Amid High Inflation and Middle East Tensions; Government to Monitor Market Impact The South Korean government has assessed that the uncertainty surrounding future monetary policy may continue due to high inflation in major countries and instability in the Middle East, despite the U.S. Federal Reserve's decision to hold interest rates in July.Lee Hyung-il, First Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Economy and Finance, convened a joint macroeconomic and financial meeting on July 30 at the Bankers Association building in Seoul to review the financial market impacts following the Federal Open Market Committee's (FOMC) decision to maintain interest rates. The meeting included participants such as Yoo Sang-dae, Deputy Governor of the Bank of Korea, Kwon Dae-young, Vice Chairman of the Financial Services Commission, and Hwang Seon-oh, Director of the Capital Markets Division at the Financial Supervisory Service.Participants noted that while the Federal Reserve has kept interest rates steady, the U.S. economy continues to show solid performance. They highlighted the strong growth in capital investment by U.S. companies, particularly in artificial intelligence (AI) related sectors.However, they also expressed concerns that inflation remains high in both the U.S. and Europe, and ongoing geopolitical tensions due to conflicts in the Middle East could lead to continued uncertainty regarding future policy interest rates.Fluctuations in international oil prices and the flow of global investment funds, influenced by changes in the Middle East, were identified as significant risk factors that could increase volatility in domestic financial and foreign exchange markets.In response, the government and relevant agencies have decided to closely monitor external conditions, including major countries' monetary policies, international oil prices, and global capital flows, while continuously assessing the impact of international financial market trends and external variables on the domestic economy and financial markets.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-30 09:48:00