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  • KOSPI plummets nearly 6 percent in Seoul
    KOSPI plummets nearly 6 percent in Seoul SEOUL, July 29 (AJP) - An electronic board shows the KOSPI and other market indexes at the dealing room of Hana Bank headquarters in Seoul. The benchmark KOSPI closed at 5,663.24, down 360.42 points, or 5.98 percent, from the previous session, while the tech-heavy KOSDAQ finished at 662.68, down 43.17 points, or 6.12 percent, on July 29, 2026. AJP Yoo Na-hyun 2026-07-29 17:00:12
  • Hanyuwon Opens Two Duty-Free Shops for Small Businesses at Incheon Airport
    Hanyuwon Opens Two Duty-Free Shops for Small Businesses at Incheon Airport The Korea Small Business and Startups Agency has officially opened two duty-free shops dedicated to small business products at Incheon International Airport's Terminal 2.According to Hanyuwon, the newly opened fifth and sixth stores are located on the east side (Gate 281) and west side (Gate 218) of Terminal 2. These new outlets feature products centered around the growing K-Beauty, K-Fashion, K-Food, and K-Life categories, serving as export test beds for small businesses looking to gauge global customer reactions.Additionally, the shops include product experience zones and photo zones to enhance conversion rates and provide consumers with positive experiences of small business products. A media wall has also been installed to promote the products.Hanyuwon has been operating the 'Policy Duty-Free Shop,' dedicated to small business products, since November 2021 at Incheon International Airport. This initiative has received a positive response from small businesses seeking to enter duty-free markets due to lower fees and entry barriers compared to private duty-free shops.Earlier in June, Hanyuwon CEO Lee Tae-sik visited a company participating in the policy duty-free shop in Guri, Gyeonggi Province, to listen to on-site challenges.On the day of the official opening, CEO Lee also visited the new stores to assess their operations.Lee stated, “Entering duty-free shops means more than just opening new sales channels for small businesses. It provides new opportunities for overseas market entry through meetings with global customers.” He added, “As the preference for K-products among overseas consumers is increasing based on the Korean Wave, we will help more excellent small businesses enter international markets through policy duty-free shops.”* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-29 17:00:00
  • Seoul stocks tumble as KOSPI and KOSDAQ slide
    Seoul stocks tumble as KOSPI and KOSDAQ slide SEOUL, July 29 (AJP) - An electronic board shows the KOSPI and other market indexes at the dealing room of Hana Bank headquarters in Seoul. The benchmark KOSPI closed at 5,663.24, down 360.42 points, or 5.98 percent, from the previous session, while the tech-heavy KOSDAQ finished at 662.68, down 43.17 points, or 6.12 percent, on July 29, 2026. AJP Yoo Na-hyun 2026-07-29 16:57:42
  • Yangsan Hits Record High of 40.3 Degrees; Busan Sees Hottest Day in 122 Years
    Yangsan Hits Record High of 40.3 Degrees; Busan Sees Hottest Day in 122 Years Temperatures in Yangsan, South Gyeongsang Province, exceeded 40 degrees Celsius, while Busan recorded its highest temperature in 122 years of weather observations, as the country faced a record-breaking heat wave.With extreme heat persisting, over 70 cases of heat-related illnesses have been reported daily, raising concerns about electrical fires due to increased use of cooling devices. Fire authorities are ramping up preventive measures.According to Yonhap News and the Korea Meteorological Administration, Yangsan recorded a temperature of 40.3 degrees Celsius at 3:34 PM on July 29, marking the highest temperature since weather observations began in 2008. This surpassed the previous record of 39.3 degrees set just three days earlier on July 26.This marks the third consecutive year that temperatures in South Korea have exceeded 40 degrees Celsius, following similar occurrences in the past two years. Concerns are growing that such extreme heat may become a regular occurrence in July.Busan also recorded a temperature of 38.8 degrees at 2:56 PM, the highest since modern weather observations began in 1904. The previous record was 37.3 degrees, set on August 14, 2016. In Busan's Buk-gu district, temperatures soared to 39.0 degrees, while Gimhae reached 38.6 degrees, the second-highest temperature on record. Sokcho in Gangwon Province also saw temperatures rise to 36.6 degrees, the second-highest for July since records began in 1968, according to Yonhap News.The Korea Meteorological Administration explained that the simultaneous influence of the North Pacific High and the Tibetan High is causing warm, humid air to continuously flow into the country. Additionally, the descending air currents associated with the high-pressure system are preventing cloud formation, resulting in prolonged strong sunlight. The phenomenon of foehn winds, which heat the air as it descends over mountains, is further exacerbating the heat wave. If the current pressure system persists, there is a possibility of additional areas exceeding 40 degrees.As the heat wave continues, health impacts are rapidly increasing. According to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, 71 cases of heat-related illnesses were reported in emergency rooms nationwide on the previous day. While no additional fatalities were reported, there have been over 70 cases daily for the past four consecutive days.From May 15 to July 28, during the operation of the heat illness monitoring system, a total of 1,557 cases of heat-related illnesses were reported, with 9 fatalities. Approximately 78% of the patients were male, and the highest percentage of cases, 18.8%, were among those in their 60s. Heat exhaustion accounted for 60.8% of the cases, followed by heat stroke at 16.0% and heat cramps at 12.3%.The risk of fires due to the heat wave is also increasing. According to Yonhap News, the Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province Fire Department has issued a 'warning' level fire risk alert nationwide and will enhance patrols at fire-prone facilities.The Gangwon Fire Department reported that among the 902 fires that occurred in the region from July to August between 2023 and 2025, 392 were caused by electrical factors, accounting for 43.5% of the total. Property damage exceeded 3 billion won.Fire authorities plan to strengthen safety management at fire-prone facilities, such as aging factories and warehouses, and will focus on inspecting for overheating of cooling devices, old wiring, and the use of multi-outlet plugs. They also urged the public to ensure proper ventilation around outdoor units and to regularly check electrical equipment.The Korea Meteorological Administration forecasts that similar levels of heat will persist until the weekend. They emphasize the importance of avoiding outdoor activities, staying hydrated, and strictly adhering to electrical safety guidelines when using cooling devices.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-29 16:57:00
  • Japans Minimum Wage Set at 1,176 Yen for Fiscal Year 2026, Lower than South Koreas
    Japan's Minimum Wage Set at 1,176 Yen for Fiscal Year 2026, Lower than South Korea's Japan has decided to raise its minimum wage by 4.9% for the fiscal year 2026 (April 2026 to March 2027). However, both the increase amount and rate are lower than the previous year for the first time in six years, resulting in a minimum wage that is now lower than South Korea's.According to the Nihon Keizai Shimbun (Nikkei) and Kyodo News on July 29, the Central Minimum Wage Council of Japan's Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare has set the national weighted average minimum wage for fiscal 2026 at 1,176 yen (approximately 10,409 won), an increase of 55 yen from the current hourly wage of 1,121 yen (approximately 9,922 won). The increase rate is 4.9%.This marks the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic began in 2020 that both the increase amount and rate have fallen below the previous year's levels. Nevertheless, the 55 yen increase is the second-largest on record. Despite this, Japan's minimum wage will be lower than South Korea's next year.Earlier, South Korea's Minimum Wage Commission decided on July 14 to raise its minimum wage for the upcoming year from 10,320 won to 10,700 won, an increase of 380 won (3.7%).Due to the depreciation of the yen, South Korea's minimum wage has been higher than Japan's since the 2023 rate was set in 2022. Although Japan's minimum wage increased by a record 6.0% last year, surpassing South Korea's, the lower increase rate of 4.9% this year, combined with the falling value of the yen, has allowed South Korea to regain the lead.The slowdown in Japan's minimum wage increase rate is largely attributed to the government's decision to delay the target date for achieving a national average of 1,500 yen. Former Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba had pushed to achieve this goal by the mid-2030s, which would have required annual increases of over 7%.However, the government led by Sanae Takaichi effectively postponed this target date to 'as early as possible in the early 2030s' in the basic economic and fiscal management policy confirmed on July 21. To reach 1,500 yen by 2030, an average annual increase of 6.0% would be needed, while achieving it by 2034 would require an average of 3.3%.Nikkei analyzed that the postponement of the target date has eased political pressure surrounding minimum wage discussions. One committee member noted, 'The government's goal has shifted to a more realistic path,' suggesting that discussions could now focus on the cost of living for workers, general wage levels, and companies' ability to pay.The actual minimum wage in Japan will be determined by local councils based on the central council's standards. The amounts set by local councils typically do not deviate significantly from the central council's guidelines, and the increased minimum wage will be implemented sequentially starting in October. 2026-07-29 16:54:00
  • Fed, BOJ policy paths may be behind foreign exodus from Korean equities
    Fed, BOJ policy paths may be behind foreign exodus from Korean equities SEOUL, July 29 (AJP) - Foreign investors have sold nearly 20 trillion won ($14.5 billion) worth of South Korean equities this month, including about 10 trillion won this week, extending first-half outflows of roughly 170 trillion won as global investors reposition portfolios ahead of diverging monetary paths in the United States and Japan rather than simply locking in profits after Seoul's year-long rally. The sustained selling suggests global liquidity conditions—not domestic valuations alone—are increasingly dictating capital flows into Korean assets. The Federal Reserve and the Bank of Japan will deliver back-to-back policy decisions over the next two days, placing the world's two reserve-currency central banks at the center of global markets. While both are widely expected to leave interest rates unchanged, investors are focused on whether Fed Chair Kevin Warsh and BOJ Governor Kazuo Ueda signal further tightening, a shift that could reshape capital flows across equities, bonds and currencies. The Fed will announce its decision at 3 a.m. Thursday Korea time, followed by Warsh's press conference 30 minutes later, while the BOJ concludes its two-day policy meeting on Friday with updated economic forecasts. Markets overwhelmingly expect both central banks to stand pat. The debate instead centers on how firmly each prepares investors for the next move. Interest-rate futures assign roughly a 30 percent probability of a quarter-point Fed increase this week while placing higher odds on a move by September. Recent U.S. economic data have offered mixed signals. Consumer prices rose 3.5 percent from a year earlier in June, while core inflation slowed to 2.6 percent. The Fed's preferred core personal consumption expenditures price index remained elevated at 3.4 percent in May ahead of fresh PCE and second-quarter GDP data due later Thursday. The labor market has softened without a sharp deterioration. Payrolls increased by 57,000 in June, unemployment held at 4.2 percent and the economy expanded at an annualized rate of 2.1 percent in the first quarter. Fed policymakers also remain divided. Nine of 18 officials project another rate increase by year-end, eight expect no further change and one foresees a cut, although the median projection still implies roughly one additional quarter-point increase. With no updated Summary of Economic Projections or dot plot scheduled for this meeting, markets will rely largely on Warsh's assessment of inflation risks and the likelihood of tightening later this year. The BOJ is likewise expected to leave its overnight policy rate unchanged after raising it to 1.0 percent in June, the highest level in more than three decades. Unlike the Fed, however, economists see broader consensus for additional tightening. A Reuters poll found 75 of 87 economists expect the policy rate to reach 1.25 percent by year-end. Japan's core consumer inflation rose 1.6 percent in June but remained below the BOJ's 2 percent target for a fifth consecutive month. At the same time, the weak yen and higher import costs have kept concerns over renewed price pressures alive, while real household consumption fell 0.4 percent in May, underscoring the fragile state of domestic demand. Ueda has repeatedly said the BOJ will continue raising rates if underlying inflation moves sustainably toward 2 percent. Because the central bank will publish updated growth and inflation forecasts alongside Friday's decision, investors will scrutinize any upward revisions or stronger emphasis on upside inflation risks that could reinforce expectations for another increase in October or December. The changing policy outlook is particularly significant because Japan has long served as one of the world's cheapest sources of funding capital. For more than a decade of near-zero or negative interest rates, global investors borrowed yen at minimal cost and deployed the proceeds into higher-yielding assets overseas, ranging from U.S. Treasuries and corporate bonds to emerging-market equities. South Korea, with its deep capital market, liquid government bonds and globally competitive export companies, became one of the destinations for such capital. As the BOJ gradually raises interest rates while signaling further policy normalization, the economics of those trades are beginning to change. Higher Japanese borrowing costs reduce the return on leveraged overseas investments and encourage investors to trim exposure and repay yen borrowings. The persistent foreign selling in Seoul is consistent with such a gradual reallocation of capital, although the exact share of Korean investments financed through yen borrowing cannot be quantified. The scale of the outflows nevertheless suggests South Korea has become one of the markets most exposed to the global repricing of liquidity as Japanese monetary policy slowly exits its ultra-loose era. For global investors, however, the more immediate question is whether this week's policy guidance changes expectations for the dollar and the yen. The U.S. dollar has strengthened ahead of the meetings, with the dollar index hovering near a one-month high around 101, while the yen remains close to a four-decade low at roughly 163 per dollar despite the BOJ's tightening cycle. That distinguishes today's market from last August's turmoil. A yen carry trade becomes unstable when the Japanese currency appreciates rapidly. Investors who borrowed in yen face rising repayment costs, forcing them to unwind leveraged positions by selling overseas assets and buying back the Japanese currency. Such feedback loops can accelerate declines across global equity markets. Those dynamics amplified the turmoil in August 2024, when a sharp yen rally coincided with a 12.4 percent plunge in Japan's Nikkei 225 and an 8.8 percent drop in South Korea's Kospi. Conditions are different today. Although the BOJ has begun tightening monetary policy, the yen remains historically weak despite higher Japanese interest rates. That suggests investors are reducing overseas exposure more gradually than during last year's abrupt deleveraging, when rapid yen appreciation became the catalyst for a broad carry-trade unwind. Investors will therefore watch whether the Fed or BOJ triggers a sharper move in the dollar-yen exchange rate after their policy decisions. A sustained strengthening of the yen accompanied by simultaneous declines in Japanese, U.S. and emerging-market equities would point to a broader withdrawal of leveraged global capital. South Korea has already emerged as one of the clearest expressions of that global portfolio adjustment. Foreign investors have withdrawn nearly 190 trillion won from Korean equities this year despite resilient corporate earnings and the country's central role in the global AI semiconductor supply chain, underscoring how global monetary conditions are outweighing domestic fundamentals in determining cross-border capital allocation. The won strengthened 13.7 won from the previous session to close at 1,448.8 per dollar at the 3:30 p.m. reference rate, as dollar selling related to SK hynix's American depositary receipt proceeds helped offset heavy foreign equity outflows and uncertainty ahead of the Fed meeting. Government bonds also benefited from a flight toward safer assets. The three-year Treasury yield fell 4.3 basis points to 3.788 percent, while the 10-year yield declined 3.8 basis points to 4.258 percent as the equity sell-off boosted demand for bonds and the firmer won eased some concern over imported inflation. For South Korea, the policy decisions themselves matter less than what they imply for the future cost of global capital. A more hawkish Federal Reserve would reinforce the dollar's yield advantage, while a more confident BOJ would further erode the economics of financing overseas investments with cheap yen. Together, those forces could prolong foreign outflows from Korean equities even without another bout of market panic. The more immediate risk lies not in this week's expected policy holds but in the trajectory of the yen. If Japanese tightening eventually triggers sustained appreciation of the currency, the gradual portfolio adjustments now unfolding across Asian markets could evolve into a broader unwinding of carry trades. Until then, Seoul's persistent foreign selling appears more consistent with an orderly reallocation of global liquidity than with the disorderly deleveraging that rattled markets in August 2024. 2026-07-29 16:52:19
  • Koreas enter quiet undersea race amid the slow death of denuclearization
    Koreas enter quiet undersea race amid the slow death of denuclearization SEOUL, July 29 (AJP) - For more than three decades, denuclearization was the one word that defined every major policy toward North Korea. Every summit, sanctions package and diplomatic initiative ultimately revolved around the goal of dismantling Pyongyang's nuclear weapons program. Today, the word is quietly disappearing — not because the objective has been achieved, but because policymakers in Washington and Seoul are increasingly planning for a future in which North Korea remains a de facto nuclear state. The shift has unfolded almost unnoticed. Marking the 73rd anniversary of the Korean War Armistice Agreement, U.S. President Donald Trump praised the South Korea-U.S. alliance as "a pillar of peace and stability across the Indo-Pacific" and vowed to stand with Washington's Asian allies against "the forces of evil and oppression." The message emphasized military readiness, alliance solidarity and Indo-Pacific strategy. Conspicuously absent were references to North Korea's denuclearization. Last year's armistice statement had recalled Trump's unprecedented meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un at Panmunjom and reaffirmed that his administration's "maximum pressure" campaign and sanctions were intended to bring Pyongyang back to negotiations on denuclearization. Neither the meeting nor denuclearization appeared in this year's message. Seoul is quietly recalibrating as well. Unification Minister Chung Dong-young said last week the government is shifting from a "denuclearization first" approach toward a "peace first" policy while maintaining denuclearization as the peninsula's long-term objective. The wording reflects more than a change in diplomatic sequencing. It acknowledges a strategic reality increasingly shaping policy in both capitals: instead of debating how to eliminate North Korea's nuclear arsenal, governments are focusing on how to deter, contain and coexist with it. The clearest evidence of that transition is emerging beneath the sea. A recent Financial Times report argued that South and North Korea are entering a new phase of underwater strategic competition as both pursue nuclear-powered submarines, a development that could reshape the maritime balance in Northeast Asia and complicate the broader rivalry between the United States and China. South Korea's program, known as the Jang Bogo-N project, gathered momentum after Trump publicly backed Seoul's pursuit of nuclear-powered submarines. The government aims to launch its first nuclear-powered submarine in the mid-2030s and deploy it by the end of that decade. North Korea announced its own nuclear-powered submarine program in 2021 and has since unveiled what it says is the hull of its first such vessel. Analysts remain skeptical that Pyongyang has mastered the complex reactor technology needed to operate a functioning nuclear-powered submarine, although deepening military cooperation with Russia has added a new variable. Ban Gil-joo, professor at the Korea National Diplomatic Academy, said North Korea's naval modernization should not be viewed simply as coastal defense but as part of a broader maritime strategy. Pointing to Pyongyang's newly launched 5,000-ton destroyers and its claimed 8,700-ton strategic nuclear submarine, Ban said North Korea's declared ambition to build an "ocean-going operational fleet" suggests it aims to project power beyond the Korean Peninsula into the western Pacific and wider Indo-Pacific. The shift reflects a broader transformation in the strategic environment. For decades, Northeast Asia's military balance was largely measured by missiles, artillery and ground forces. Increasingly, however, deterrence is extending beneath the sea, where nuclear-powered submarines can remain submerged for months, operate across vast distances and conduct surveillance, intelligence gathering and second-strike missions with far greater survivability than conventional diesel-electric submarines. If either Korea successfully deploys nuclear-powered submarines, the implications would extend well beyond the peninsula. The Financial Times noted that such capabilities could alter the naval balance between the United States and China while intensifying submarine tracking and anti-submarine warfare throughout the Indo-Pacific. For Seoul, the project also raises sensitive nonproliferation questions. A proposed special law is expected to reaffirm that South Korea's submarine program is intended solely for naval propulsion and remains fully consistent with its obligations under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, seeking to distinguish the project from any pursuit of nuclear weapons. The changing strategic environment also reflects a broader reassessment of maritime security. Recent tensions around the Strait of Hormuz demonstrated how quickly critical sea lanes can become instruments of military pressure, energy insecurity and economic disruption. In Northeast Asia, similar concerns are emerging through submarine competition, protection of undersea infrastructure, gray-zone operations and growing competition over maritime domains. Ban argued that China's gray-zone activities around the Korean Peninsula—including challenges to South Korea's air defense identification zone—should be distinguished from North Korea's more direct military threat. Yet both, he said, point to the same conclusion: maritime security is no longer confined to naval warfare but increasingly encompasses energy security, food security, communications infrastructure and the rules governing freedom of navigation. He called for deeper cooperation with the United States to translate gray-zone threat assessments into operational responses, while advocating broader regional partnerships through a Korea-ASEAN maritime security framework and closer international coordination to protect undersea infrastructure such as submarine communications cables. Washington, meanwhile, continues enforcing sanctions against North Korea's weapons procurement network despite the rhetorical shift away from denuclearization. This week, the Treasury Department updated its sanctions database, removing duplicate entries—including one involving Korea Tangun Trading Corporation—while leaving the underlying sanctions fully intact. Three decades after the Cold War, denuclearization remains the official objective of both Seoul and Washington. Yet their priorities increasingly tell a different story. From nuclear-powered submarines and undersea deterrence to gray-zone maritime operations and Indo-Pacific strategy, planning is shifting from eliminating North Korea's nuclear capabilities to managing a security environment in which they are expected to endure. The most consequential change may therefore be linguistic as much as military. Denuclearization has not formally disappeared. It has simply ceased to be the organizing principle of policy, while a quiet undersea competition is emerging as the peninsula's next strategic frontier. 2026-07-29 16:51:35
  • BBQ Donates 15,000 Chickens Across 11 Regions by July 2026
    BBQ Donates 15,000 Chickens Across 11 Regions by July 2026 제너시스BBQ그룹이 올해 들어 7월까지 전국 11개 지역에 치킨 1만5000마리를 기부하며 지역사회 나눔 활동을 이어갔다.BBQ는 올해 1월부터 7월까지 '치킨대학 착한기부', '패밀리와 함께하는 치킨릴레이', '찾아가는 치킨릴레이' 등을 통해 전국 11개 지역에 총 1만5000마리의 치킨을 전달했다고 29일 밝혔다.기부는 서울·경기·강원·인천·부산·광주·울산·대구 등 전국 11개 지역에서 진행됐다. 지역아동센터와 그룹홈, 요양원, 장애인복지관, 종합사회복지관, 재활원, 관공서, 군부대 등 지역사회 곳곳에 치킨을 전달했다.치킨대학 착한기부는 1999년 시작해 올해로 27년째 이어지고 있는 BBQ의 대표 사회공헌 프로그램이다. 치킨대학 교육 과정에 참여한 가맹점주(패밀리)와 임직원들이 직접 조리한 치킨을 취약계층과 복지시설에 전달하는 방식으로 운영된다. 지난 3월에는 지속적인 지역사회 공헌을 인정받아 치킨대학이 대한적십자사 경기도지사 '명예의 전당'에 승격되기도 했다.본사와 가맹점이 함께하는 '패밀리와 함께하는 치킨릴레이'는 본사가 신선육을 지원하고 가맹점주가 직접 치킨을 조리해 전달하는 상생형 사회공헌 활동이다. 지역 사정을 잘 아는 가맹점주들이 기부처 선정과 나눔에 참여하고 있다.'찾아가는 치킨릴레이'는 사연을 접수해 도움이 필요한 현장을 직접 방문하는 프로그램이다. 지역아동센터와 그룹홈 등 아동·청소년 복지시설은 물론 장애인·노인 복지시설과 군부대 등을 찾아 치킨을 전달하며 응원의 마음을 전하고 있다.BBQ 관계자는 "본사와 패밀리가 함께한 나눔을 통해 올해 전국 11개 지역에 치킨 1만5000마리를 전달할 수 있었다"며 "앞으로도 도움이 필요한 지역사회 곳곳을 살피고 패밀리와 함께하는 나눔 활동을 지속적으로 확대해 나가겠다"고 말했다.치킨대학은 제너시스BBQ그룹이 설립한 치킨 외식사업가 양성 교육시설이자 연구개발(R&D) 센터다. BBQ 가맹점 창업을 준비하는 예비 점주들은 이곳에서 2주간 합숙하며 조리 실습과 매장 운영, 위생 관리 등을 교육받는다. 2026-07-29 16:48:00
  • LG Household & Health Care Surpasses China in North American Sales for the First Time
    LG Household & Health Care Surpasses China in North American Sales for the First Time LG Household & Health Care reported improved profitability in the second quarter of this year, driven by growth in its North American business and a return to profitability in its beauty division. For the first time since the company split, North American sales have surpassed those from China.The company announced on July 29 that its consolidated operating profit for the second quarter reached 102.8 billion won, an increase of 87.6% compared to the same period last year. Revenue rose by 3.3% to 1.6574 trillion won, while net profit surged by 101% to 77.6 billion won.Notably, international sales showed significant growth. Second-quarter overseas revenue was 584.5 billion won, a 12.6% increase year-on-year, accounting for 35% of total sales. North American sales alone reached 205.8 billion won, up 47.3%.In contrast, sales in China fell by 5.0% to 176.0 billion won. This marks the first instance of North American sales exceeding those from China since LG Household & Health Care became an independent entity.By division, the beauty segment reported sales of 818.4 billion won, a 3.9% increase, and operating profit of 44.4 billion won, returning to profitability. Key brands such as Dr. Groot, Yusimol, Dominus, VDL, and Hince contributed to this growth through both online and offline channels domestically and internationally.The Home Care and Daily Beauty (HDB) division saw sales rise by 5.5% to 377.6 billion won, with operating profit increasing by 23.1% to 22.3 billion won, driven by strong sales of functional products in major channels like online platforms and Costco.The Refreshment division reported a slight sales increase of 0.5% to 461.4 billion won, but operating profit fell by 15.1% to 36.1 billion won, impacted by weak domestic beverage consumption and rising raw material costs due to instability in the Middle East.A company representative stated, "We will expand investments in high-potential markets and key channels to lead intelligent K-beauty based on scientific research."Additionally, LG Household & Health Care's board of directors approved an interim dividend of 1,500 won per share, with the record date set for August 14 and payment scheduled by August 28.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-29 16:42:00
  • Growing Opposition to NH Agricultural Cooperatives Relocation Plans
    Growing Opposition to NH Agricultural Cooperatives' Relocation Plans 농협중앙회의 지방 이전 논의가 본격화되면서 이전에 반대하는 목소리가 점점 커지고 있다. 농협 이전은 막대한 비용만 발생할 뿐 경제 효과가 미미하며 농업인 지원 축소로 이어질 수 있다는 주장이다. 농협노조는 29일 서울 광화문에서 진행된 '농협중앙회 본사 지방 이전 저지 결의대회'에서 "농협은 정부가 만든 기관이 아니라 농업인들이 만든 협동조합"이라며 "공공기관 이전이라는 잣대를 그대로 들이대는 것은 맞지 않는다"고 비판했다.이번 결의대회는 지난 23일 정부세종청사 국토교통부 앞에서 열린 간부 집회에 이은 두번째 집회다. 당초 노조는 2000명 규모의 집회를 계획했으나 중앙본부 소속 조합원들의 참가가 늘면서 참가 인원이 4000명으로 불어났다.이날 이현인 전국금융산업노동조합 NH농협지부 위원장 직무대행은 "농협중앙회는 농산물 판매를 책임지는 핵심 조직"이라며 "수도권은 우리나라 최대 소비시장일 뿐 아니라 농산물 가격 형성과 유통이 이뤄지는 핵심지로 경제사업의 시장분석·판로 확대·유통 협력 등의 역할을 위한 최적의 위치"라고 강조했다. 농협의 지방 이전은 막대한 비용에 비해 경제적 효과가 적다는 것이 노조의 주장이다. 노조는 토지매입 비용을 제외하고도 본사 이전에만 최소 2520억원 이상으로 들어갈 것으로 추산한다. 반면 범농협 임직원 7만명 중 73%가 이미 지방에서 근무하고 있다. 천문학적인 비용이 발생하는 반면 지역경제에 미치는 파급효과는 크지 않다는 것이다. 비용 발생에 따른 농업 경쟁력 약화 가능성도 나온다. 이 직무대행은 "수천억 원에 달하는 이전 비용은 결국 농업인 지원 재원을 잠식하게 된다"며 "농협중앙회 계열사의 지방 이전이 사업 경쟁력 악화로 이어질 가능성이 매우 크고 이는 농업인 경쟁력 강화·공동 이익 증진 등의 지원 기능을 약화시킨다"고 강조했다. 협동조합의 자율성에 대한 우려도 제기된다. 협동조합의 의사결정은 조합원의 의사를 따라야 하는데 이를 강제할 수 없다는 비판이다. 노조는 헌법 제123조를 근거로 협동조합의 자율적 활동을 침해해서는 안 된다고도 주장했다. 농협노조는 향후 대정부 투쟁 수위를 한층 높일 방침이다. 노조는 여야 정치권과 소통을 이어가는 한편, 한국노총 및 금융노조 등 상급단체와 협력해 국토교통부 면담을 추진할 계획이다. 정부의 지방 이전 추진 움직임에 따라 총파업 돌입도 검토하고 있다.특히 농협노조의 상급단체인 금융노조와의 연대도 강화한다. 금융노조는 최근 산별중앙교섭 결렸다 이후 일부 지부 중심으로 운영해 온 지방 이전 공동대응 태스크포스(TF)를 '총력투쟁본부'로 확대하고 임금·단체협상 투쟁과 연계하기로 했다. 농협노조와 금융노조는 다음 달에도 지방 이전 반대 연대 집회를 이어갈 예정이다.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-29 16:39:00