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Krafton Moves Beyond PUBG with Subnautica 2 and New IP Development Krafton has alleviated concerns about relying solely on its PUBG intellectual property (IP) by achieving record results in both the first half and second quarter of this year, driven by the performance of PUBG and the new title Subnautica 2. The company plans to launch new games based on Subnautica 2 and other IPs, marking the beginning of a multi-IP era.In the second quarter, Krafton reported revenues of 1.29 trillion won and an operating profit of 410.9 billion won, representing increases of 94.4% and 67%, respectively, compared to the same period last year. For the first half of the year, revenues reached 2.66 trillion won, with an operating profit of 972.5 billion won, both setting records for the company. These figures reflect year-on-year increases of 73.3% and 38.3%.During a conference call on July 29, Krafton CEO Kim Chang-han emphasized, "The second quarter of this year has validated the performance of our core IPs, solidifying our growth framework based on franchise IPs." He expressed confidence in the success of Krafton's franchise growth strategy, supported by the sustained growth of the PUBG franchise and the performance of Subnautica IP.According to Krafton, Subnautica 2 surpassed 5 million copies sold just 22 days after its early access launch in May. CEO Kim noted, "Subnautica 2 has achieved successful launch results in both quantitative metrics and qualitative user feedback through its early access phase, confirming its potential as Krafton's second franchise IP."Krafton's Chief Financial Officer Baek Dong-geun stated, "Subnautica 2 has recorded top-tier initial sales among major global hits," adding that its success has also boosted sales of existing titles like Subnautica and Subnautica: Below Zero. Despite being released in 2018, Subnautica has generated approximately 42 billion won in sales, demonstrating its revenue-generating capability.Kim further stated, "We will continue to scale up the Subnautica IP from a long-term perspective," and emphasized the importance of strengthening a repeatable growth system for securing and nurturing franchise IPs based on the experiences and decision-making capabilities gained during the launch of Subnautica 2.At the same time, the PUBG franchise is set to expand beyond a single game into a platform that combines various gameplay and content.Kim explained, "In the second quarter, PUBG activated its core fandom through well-made modules on the PC platform, demonstrating that content quality can translate into medical metrics and revenue growth. In the third quarter, we will expand the user-generated content (UGC) ecosystem to mobile platforms."Krafton also reported that the PUBG mobile platform has been expanding its creator openness and gameplay ecosystem since the launch of World of Wonder in 2023, surpassing 5.4 million user-created maps and facilitating over 3.3 billion matches played.In August, Krafton will unveil five new titles at Gamescom 2026 in Cologne, targeting a 2027 release. The new titles include one based on the PUBG IP and four based on new IPs: NO LAW, Project Zeta, Age Twister, and Tangle: Unbound. Kim stated, "Through these five new titles, we will rigorously validate the market for the investments Krafton has accumulated."Kim concluded, "Having established multiple growth pillars based on franchise IPs through PUBG and Subnautica, we will enhance our strategic focus on core IPs and secure new franchise IPs through a viable growth system."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-29 18:00:10
KB Kookmin Bank Tightens Household Loans, Increases Non-Face-to-Face Mortgage Rates by Up to 0.53% KB Kookmin Bank is set to raise interest rates on key household loan products. Following a reduction in the limits for mortgage loans aimed at home purchases, the bank is accelerating its management of total loan volumes.According to the financial sector on July 29, Kookmin Bank will increase interest rates on major credit loans, mortgage loans, and jeonse loans by 0.06 to 0.53 percentage points starting July 31.Specifically, the interest rate for the non-face-to-face product 'KB Star Apartment Mortgage Loan (for purchase funds, based on the new balance 6-month COFIX)' will rise by 0.53 percentage points. In contrast, the interest rate for the face-to-face product 'KB Mortgage Loan (variable)' will be adjusted upward by 0.06 percentage points.For jeonse loans, the interest rates for representative products such as KB Jeonse Loan, KB Jeonse Guarantee Loan, and KB Plus Jeonse Loan will increase by 0.14 to 0.25 percentage points. The rates for non-face-to-face jeonse loan products will rise by 0.26 to 0.49 percentage points.Interest rates for major credit loan products, including KB Credit Loan, KB Salary Transfer Credit Loan, and KB Star Credit Loan, will increase by 0.1 to 0.5 percentage points. However, the rates for specific loans aimed at vulnerable groups, such as KB Business Support Credit Loan, KB New Hope Seed II, KB Mid-Rate Loan, and KB Sunshine Loan, will not be adjusted.A Kookmin Bank official stated, "We adjusted the interest rates of major products to maintain an appropriate portfolio of household loans. We have aligned the rates of non-face-to-face products with those of face-to-face products to mitigate concerns about concentration, while minimizing the rate increases for face-to-face products."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-29 18:00:10
Korea's Food and Drug Administration Launches Investigation Research Group to Enhance Special Police Expertise The Korea Food and Drug Administration (KFDA) has launched its first investigation research group to enhance the expertise of special judicial police (SJP) responsible for investigating food, drug, and medical narcotics crimes. The initiative aims to improve investigative capabilities by sharing knowledge of the criminal justice system and exemplary investigation cases.On July 28, the KFDA announced the establishment of the investigation research group named 'Sherlock Holmes' and held the '1st Food and Drug Investigation Seminar' at the Osong Convention Center.The Sherlock Holmes group consists of over 50 members, including investigators from the Central Investigation Team for Food Safety Crimes and local SJP offices. The KFDA explained that the group was formed to enhance the professionalism of SJPs by learning about the criminal justice system and sharing information on new crimes and successful investigation cases.During the seminar, Professor Park Jae-pyeong from Chungbuk National University Law School presented on the topic 'Changes in the Criminal Justice Structure and the Development Direction of SJPs,' followed by a Q&A session with attendees.Investigators from the Central Investigation Team also shared cases involving counterfeit health supplements and cosmetics, as well as challenges faced during investigations. There was also a session for sharing field investigation experiences and difficulties between headquarters and local SJP offices.The Central Investigation Team for Food Safety Crimes was established in 2009 and currently has 28 members at the headquarters and 15 at local offices designated as SJPs. They investigate violations of 14 laws, including the Food Sanitation Act, the Pharmaceutical Affairs Act, the Medical Device Act, and the Narcotics Control Act. Last year, they investigated over 350 food and drug safety crime cases and referred them to prosecutors.Meanwhile, the KFDA plans to actively promote the management of food and pharmaceuticals and the monitoring of medical narcotics using artificial intelligence (AI) and digital technologies.The KFDA stated, 'We will continue to crack down on illegal food and drug crimes swiftly and rigorously to protect public health from illegal products.'* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-29 18:00:00
New Bio ETFs Launch Amid Poor Performance This Month The competition among asset managers to dominate the bio exchange-traded fund (ETF) market has intensified, but the results have been disappointing. A significant drop in common stocks with high weightings in bio shares has dragged down the overall performance of ETFs.According to the Korea Exchange, there are currently nine ETFs that invest in domestic bio companies. Among them, two were newly listed this month. Korea Investment Trust Management and Midas Asset Management launched the 'ACE K Bio KOSDAQ Active ETF' and 'MIDAS Bio Healthcare Active ETF' on July 21 and July 28, respectively, targeting the bio ETF market.Despite the new product launches, the performance of bio ETFs this month has been lackluster. The largest decline was recorded by the 'UNICORN K Bio Active,' which was listed in May. This month, it posted a return of -37.40%. Compared to its closing price on the first day of trading on May 12 (9,925 won), it has fallen by 52.19% as of today. Its total net assets have also decreased from approximately 9.9 billion won at the time of listing to about 5.7 billion won now. Passive ETFs have not escaped the downturn either, with 'TIGER KOSDAQ 150 Biotech' down -30.47% and 'KODEX Bio' down -24.93% this month.Active ETFs have also been affected by the overall correction in the bio sector. The 'TIGER Technology Transfer Bio Active' recorded the largest drop at -31.68% this month. Following it, 'KoAct Bio Healthcare Active' and 'RISE Bio TOP10 Active' fell by -31.01% and -30.05%, respectively. Other funds like 'HANARO Bio Korea Active' (-25.91%) and 'TIME K Bio Active' (-24.39%) also showed weakness. Even active products, which adjust their holdings and weightings, could not escape the downward trend in bio stocks.A key reason for the poor performance across these ETFs is the overlap in their holdings. Multiple bio ETFs contain similar stocks, leading to significant declines in some large-cap stocks affecting the overall returns of the products. Four stocks—Alteogen, ABL Bio, Ligand Chem Bio, and ST Pharm—are included in all eight domestic bio ETFs and have all seen declines this month. Notably, Ligand Chem Bio plummeted by -44.70%, while ABL Bio dropped -32.37%. ST Pharm and Alteogen also fell by -31.83% and -21.22%, respectively.Experts suggest that waning expectations surrounding the bio sector have dampened investor sentiment. Kim Seung-min, a researcher at Mirae Asset Securities, stated, "At the beginning of the year, the government's target for KOSDAQ 3000 and the launch of active ETFs created a positive trend for the bio sector. However, recent adjustments in royalty expectations for Alteogen and delays in clinical trials for ABL Bio have diminished the investment appeal of the bio sector compared to other industries." 2026-07-29 18:00:00
Army tests combat squad pairing soldiers with drones, robot dogs SEOUL, July 29 (AJP) - South Korea’s Army has launched a trial unit that combines soldiers with drones, quadruped robots, multipurpose unmanned ground vehicles and autonomous vehicles at the squad level, as it seeks to test future combat formations built around manned-unmanned teaming. The Army said Wednesday it held a launch ceremony for an experimental manned-unmanned squad at the 11th Maneuver Division in Hongcheon, Gangwon Province. The squad consists of eight personnel: four combat troops and four unmanned systems operators. It marks the first time the Army has integrated soldiers and multiple types of unmanned systems into a squad-level unit for field testing. Under the trial, the unit will test different combinations of drones, robot dogs, unmanned ground vehicles and autonomous vehicles depending on the mission. The Army plans to refine how such assets should be organized and deployed depending on mission requirements. The Army said the experiment will help shape future unit structures and combat procedures by testing how unmanned systems can support soldiers in surveillance, reconnaissance and high-risk operations. “We will test the effectiveness of applying manned-unmanned combat systems to frontline units,” said Maj. Gen. Lee Kyung-jin, chief of the Army Headquarters’ policy office. “Based on soldiers’ operational experience and the results of the demonstration, we will further develop unit structures, equipment and combat procedures suited to our military’s operational environment.” The Army said it will begin with squad-level trials this year, expand the demonstration to the company level next year and then to the battalion level in 2028. The Army also plans to conduct a separate trial to assess whether humanoid robots can be used for base security missions. 2026-07-29 17:55:54
Seoul finds relief from summer heat between bookshelves SEOUL, July 29 (AJP) - As record-breaking heat and sudden downpours alternate throughout the summer, people across Seoul are increasingly retreating indoors. Instead of traveling to the mountains or the sea, some are choosing a “bookcation” — a blend of “book” and “vacation” — spending time reading and resting inside the city’s air-conditioned libraries. Upon entering Seoul Metropolitan Library in central Seoul, visitors are immediately drawn to towering shelves packed tightly with books. Outside the windows, the summer sun beats down on Seoul Plaza. Inside, readers quietly turn pages. Some settle into the tiered seating with a book. Others open their laptops, while still others wander slowly between shelves in search of their next read. Each moves at a different pace, yet together they fill the library with a shared sense of calm. Standing before such an immense collection, a person can feel momentarily small. But after lingering among the books, one begins to feel like part of the library itself. Even those who enter simply to escape the heat can find themselves slipping away from the speed of everyday life as soon as they open a book, beginning a quiet holiday of their own. Starfield Library, located in the heart of the COEX complex in southern Seoul, has grown beyond a place for reading into one of Gangnam’s most recognizable cultural attractions. Foreign tourists raise their cameras before the enormous shelves stretching toward the ceiling, while local visitors sit on steps and at tables, absorbed in their books. Some preserve the space through photographs. Others sit quietly and encounter its sentences. People speaking different languages and arriving for different reasons gather in one place through the common medium of books. In the middle of a bustling shopping mall, the library briefly slows their footsteps and draws strangers into a single scene. At Songpa Book Museum in eastern Seoul, books become exhibitions, games and hands-on experiences. During the summer vacation period, children and their families explore the museum, complete missions, solve quizzes and examine artifacts, experiencing the world of books with their whole bodies. Unlike a conventional library, where visitors sit quietly and read, the museum turns the process of making, preserving and passing down books into a story of its own. Children walk, touch and imagine, encountering books not merely as objects of study but as something familiar and alive. A book becomes more than an item placed on a shelf. It becomes a medium through which families create memories together. The Seoul Metropolitan Government is running its seasonal “Libraries Are Cool: Turn It Off and Go to the Library” campaign through Aug. 31 at Seoul Metropolitan Library and 222 other libraries across the capital. The campaign encourages residents to temporarily switch off their air conditioners at home and visit a nearby library, where they can escape the heat while enjoying reading and cultural activities. “Reading is like holding a conversation with the finest minds of past centuries.” The words attributed to French philosopher René Descartes suggest that opening a book is an invitation to enter another person’s thoughts across time and space. At Seoul Metropolitan Library, visitors find a moment of quiet reflection. At Starfield Library, strangers gather within the same landscape through books. At Songpa Book Museum, stories are touched, explored and experienced. Across Seoul, residents are enduring the summer in their own ways amid towering shelves and countless stories. Some head toward the water. Others search for shade. And some surrender themselves to the space between bookshelves, quietly turning to the next page. Perhaps the deepest and coolest refuge this summer lies within the pages of a book. 2026-07-29 17:52:11
Education Officials Call for Stabilization of Local Education Finances As the government, including the Ministry of Planning and Finance, rushes to reform local education grants citing declining student numbers, strong criticism has emerged from the education sector. It is argued that education finance should not be viewed merely through the lens of economic logic or cost-cutting, but rather as a necessary investment to secure South Korea's future growth potential. The Korea Association of Superintendents held a public discussion on the stabilization of local education finances on July 29 at the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education auditorium. This forum was organized in response to the unilateral moves by financial authorities to adjust the calculation of grants linked to domestic tax revenues based on economic growth rates and changes in the school-age population, aiming to create a platform for public discourse. The event saw participation from Superintendent Jeong Geun-sik, Democratic Party lawmaker Ko Min-jeong, superintendents from across the country, academic experts, and representatives from teacher and parent organizations. The discussion was chaired by Professor Na Min-joo from Chungbuk National University, who led a lively debate.Superintendent Jeong Geun-sik: "Education finance is a promise to future generations; it should not be decided solely on financial logic"In his opening remarks, Jeong Geun-sik, president of the Korea Association of Superintendents and superintendent of the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education, strongly emphasized the intrinsic value of education finance and the importance of the principle of linking it to domestic tax revenues. He stated, "Education is the most important foundation that changes a child's life, shapes the future of communities, and drives sustainable national development. The issue of local education finance should not be viewed merely as a reduction in grants due to declining student numbers, but rather as a question of how much the state is willing to invest in education for future generations." Jeong expressed concern over the Ministry of Planning and Finance's intention to amend the 20.79% linkage rule for domestic taxes, warning that such changes could lead to a reduction of at least 10 trillion won in next year's grants. He acknowledged the need for increased national responsibility in early childhood and higher education but argued that undermining the financial foundation of local education offices to expand new investments is merely a zero-sum game within the education sector. He insisted that significant changes should not be decided solely based on financial logic without considering the educational field.Lawmaker Ko Min-jeong: "We must prove the necessity of education finance with numbers; a clear vision is needed"Lawmaker Ko Min-jeong, a member of the National Assembly's Education Committee, criticized the poor conditions in schools and urged superintendents to take proactive measures. She pointed out, "There are still schools with squat toilets, and many school buildings are 40 to 50 years old. Why can apartments be rebuilt while schools cannot?" This was in response to claims that there is excess education finance. Ko also clarified the structural limitations of grants, stating, "The media and business sectors often distort the perception that all grants can be freely used, but in reality, 56% goes to personnel costs, and 19.1% is for essential fixed costs like school transfers. Only about 25% is available for actual policy or facility improvements, and even that must be allocated for free meal programs and after-school services." She urged superintendents not to limit their arguments to simply opposing budget cuts but to present a clear vision of what they will do with the remaining grants to nurture future talent and to demonstrate transparency to the public with numbers.Superintendents: "Budget cuts will collapse school environments and accelerate local extinction"During the main discussion, superintendents Yoon Geon-young from Chungbuk, Jo Yong-sik from Ulsan, and Kwon Soon-ki from Gyeongnam sequentially addressed the urgent financial crises faced by local education offices and the surging demand for education. Superintendent Yoon stated, "Even with a decrease in student numbers, the number of schools, classes, and specialized personnel in areas like cooking, health, and counseling is actually increasing." He added, "Unlike in the past, we now require substantial budgets for quality improvements in education, such as AI-based personalized learning, upgrading aging facilities, and expanding special education. The next ten years are a golden time for future education, and reducing budgets based solely on economic metrics would be a national loss." Superintendent Jo expressed frustration over criticisms that grants are being mismanaged. He countered, "Labeling the smart devices and disaster relief funds provided during COVID-19 as cash handouts or mismanagement ignores the essence of educational welfare." He also noted that there is insufficient funding for essential safety measures and improving the treatment of non-regular workers, stating, "We are not misusing funds; we are simply underfunded despite providing necessary support." Superintendent Kwon pointed out that budget cuts contradict the goal of balanced national development. He noted that in Gyeongnam, 18% of schools have fewer than 60 students, and budget reductions could force these schools into forced mergers, leading to accelerated local extinction. He criticized the government's contradictory policies of expanding new responsibilities while cutting finances, asserting that South Korea should aim to build a future education safety net that ranks among the top three or four globally, rather than just meeting OECD averages.Experts and Parents: "Learn from Japan's failures to avoid collapse of public education and rising private tuition"Experts and representatives from the school community also voiced concerns about the dangers of budget cuts. Senior researcher Kwon Soon-hyung from the Korea Educational Development Institute emphasized the need to learn from Japan's failures. He stated, "In the 1990s, Japan faced national financial pressure, leading to cuts in national subsidies and the offloading of education finance to local governments through the 'trinity reform.' This resulted in serious side effects, including a concentration of tax sources in urban areas, a surge in temporary teachers instead of permanent staff, and a chain of closures of small rural schools, leading to a vicious cycle of declining quality in public education." Former planning and coordination director Jo Jae-ik of the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education pointed out that due to the current mandatory expenditure structure, over 80% of the budget is tied up in fixed costs like personnel and school transfers, resulting in a severely inadequate flexible budget. He noted that in Seoul, 34.3% of school buildings are over 40 years old, the highest in the country, and emphasized the need for substantial ongoing investment to address issues like overcrowded and underpopulated classes, aging facilities, and tailored support for multicultural and at-risk students. Lee Eun-jung, spokesperson for the Korea Elementary School Principals Association, stressed the importance of recognizing the fixed cost characteristics of school operations. She warned, "Even if the student population is halved, heating and electricity costs do not decrease by half. Budget cuts will lead to reductions in student activity funds and teaching materials, as well as delays in facility repairs, directly threatening student safety and lives." Kim Dong-seok, head of the Korean Federation of Teachers' Associations' Policy Division, criticized budget cuts, stating they would lead to the consolidation of small schools, delays in resolving overcrowded classes, and difficulties in staffing non-core teachers like health and counseling staff. He argued that this undermines national education initiatives like the high school credit system and amounts to a declaration of abandoning national responsibility for education. Finally, Ye Mi-ae, a member of the National Parents Association for Equal Education, highlighted the seriousness of rising private education costs. She noted, "Despite a decrease of 80,000 students last year, private education expenses increased by 2.1 trillion won. Grants and private education expenses are two sides of the same coin for the same students. When national finances are reduced, that burden is directly shifted to families' private education costs."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-29 17:51:20
Special Prosecutors to Reinvestigate Won Hee-ryong on August 6 Over Highway Project The second special investigation team, led by Special Prosecutor Kwon Chang-young, is set to summon Won Hee-ryong, the former Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, for further questioning regarding allegations surrounding the Seoul-Yangpyeong Expressway project.The investigation will focus on whether Won declared the cancellation of the project without following proper procedures and whether he directed the distribution of press releases that contradicted legal advice regarding potential violations.According to legal sources on July 29, the special prosecutors plan to question Won at 10 a.m. on August 6 as a suspect regarding allegations of abuse of power. This will be his second summons following the initial questioning on July 23. The special prosecutors stated that the need for any additional summons remains undecided.The allegations concerning the Seoul-Yangpyeong Expressway involve claims that the endpoint of the highway was changed from Yangseo-myeon in Yangpyeong County to Gangsan-myeon, where land owned by Kim Geon-hee's family is located, after the inauguration of the Yoon Suk-yeol administration. The original plan, which passed a preliminary feasibility study in 2021, faced scrutiny when it was revealed that the Ministry of Land was considering an alternative endpoint in Gangsan-myeon in May 2023, raising suspicions of favoritism.In July 2023, amid growing controversy, Won declared the cancellation of the project. The special prosecutors suspect that he made this decision without going through necessary procedures, such as the Road Policy Review Committee.The investigation is also examining whether Won directly intervened in the endpoint change process. He has maintained that he had no involvement in the highway project until the allegations arose and that he halted the project due to concerns about its viability.On July 15, the special prosecutors conducted a search and seizure operation at Won's office, seizing his mobile phone. Following this, they questioned him for about nine hours on July 23 and are currently conducting a forensic analysis of the phone. They aim to determine whether there are any communications or directives from Won related to the endpoint change and the cancellation decision.During his first appearance for questioning, Won criticized the special prosecutors for shifting the focus of their investigation from allegations of favoritism in the route change to the legality of the cancellation. He stated, "After investigating for over a year regarding highway favoritism, they seem to be changing the target of their investigation to the cancellation declaration now that they are unable to proceed." He asserted that there are no illegalities, suggesting that the special prosecutors' intentions may not succeed.Previously, the Kim Geon-hee special investigation team indicted officials from the Ministry of Land and the Korea Expressway Corporation on charges of abuse of power related to the route change allegations. However, they were unable to clarify the charges against Won, who was identified as a higher-up. The comprehensive special investigation team has since taken over the case, examining both Won's involvement in the route change and the decision-making process behind the project's cancellation.The special prosecutors are expected to review the results of the August 6 questioning and the forensic analysis of the mobile phone to determine the necessity of any further summons and the direction of their actions regarding Won. As of now, they have officially stated that the need for additional summons has not yet been decided, and no timeline for potential charges or actions has been established.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-29 17:51:10
Paris Baguette Launches Low-Sugar Bakery Line with R&D Focus Paris Baguette is reaping the rewards of its R&D-focused management philosophy, emphasized by Chairman Huh Young-in, with the success of its low-sugar bakery products.On July 29, Paris Baguette announced that its health bakery brand, 'Blue Label,' launched last year, has surpassed 24 million units in cumulative sales, achieving this milestone at five times the speed of previous healthy bread products. Building on this success, the company is expanding its lineup of 'delicious low-sugar bakery' items, including low-sugar meal breads, cakes, and desserts.Reducing sugar in bakery products requires advanced technology, as sugar is a key ingredient that contributes not only sweetness but also texture, flavor, moisture, and product shape. Lowering sugar content can lead to products becoming dry or losing flavor.To overcome these challenges, Paris Baguette has integrated its proprietary fermentation technology, enzyme methods, and ingredient research. The company has redesigned ingredient combinations and manufacturing processes tailored to each product's characteristics, ensuring that the inherent taste and texture of the bakery items are maintained even after reducing sugar content. This process involved repeated sensory evaluations and quality improvement efforts to enhance product quality.Notable products include the Campagne and bread made with the unique fermentation technology of 'black barley sourdough,' as well as low-sugar chicken breast sandwiches. The 'walnut rye sourdough' has reduced its sugar content to less than 4.5 grams per 100 grams while incorporating walnuts and rye to enhance its rich flavor.The dessert range is also expanding. Starting with the 'low-sugar Greek yogurt cake' utilizing patented probiotics, the company has introduced 'low-sugar fermented butter roll cake,' 'low-sugar matcha cake,' and 'low-sugar cocoa cake.'The 'low-sugar fermented butter roll cake' employs patented fermented butter and rice flavoring, achieving a sugar content of less than 5 grams per 100 grams while maintaining a moist texture and natural sweetness. Within just ten days of its launch, it surpassed 40,000 units in cumulative sales.The 'low-sugar matcha cake' and 'low-sugar cocoa cake,' designed with nutritional planning technology, have also received positive feedback. As a result, sales of the three low-sugar Blue Label cakes in May increased by approximately 52% compared to the previous month. Recently, the company launched 'low-sugar yogurt cream bread,' which combines low-sugar yogurt cream with dough made from patented native yeast, further strengthening its low-sugar bakery product line.A representative from Paris Baguette stated, "Low-sugar bakery products require comprehensive support from fermentation, ingredients, and process technology, going beyond simply removing sugar. Based on Chairman Huh Young-in's emphasis on R&D-focused management, we plan to continue introducing innovative bakery products that satisfy both health and taste."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-29 17:51:10
South Korea's Foreign Ministry Confirms No Casualties Among Nationals in Kumamoto Earthquake The South Korean Foreign Ministry held a joint situation assessment meeting on July 29, led by Jo Joo-sung, Director of Overseas Safety Planning, with the Consulate General in Fukuoka to evaluate the earthquake situation in Kumamoto, Japan, and to review safety measures for Korean nationals in the area.Director Jo emphasized the need to ensure safety measures for local citizens, stating, "Given that a magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck Kumamoto Prefecture on July 28, followed by over 160 aftershocks, we must be diligent in preparing safety measures for our nationals in the area."As of 4 p.m. on the same day, the Consulate General in Fukuoka reported that no casualties among Korean nationals had been recorded.The consulate stated, "We will continue to closely monitor the situation by maintaining contact with relevant Japanese authorities and the Korean community, while also disseminating safety notices as necessary."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-29 17:51:00