AJU PRESS ASIA FIRST NEWS AGENCY

Journalist

&
""
Latest by
  • SK Hynix: AI Semiconductor Boom Expected to Last, HBM Leadership Strong
    SK Hynix: AI Semiconductor Boom Expected to Last, HBM Leadership Strong SK Hynix has dismissed concerns about a slowdown in artificial intelligence (AI) investment, stating that demand for high-bandwidth memory (HBM) and general DRAM and NAND has entered a structural growth phase. The company anticipates that the AI memory supercycle will last longer than previously expected.During a conference call on its second-quarter earnings held on July 29, SK Hynix noted, "AI infrastructure investment remains solid, and major customers are requesting even more memory supply." The company added, "We are witnessing a structural change where both AI memory and general memory are growing together."The company expects DRAM demand to grow in the mid-20% range and NAND demand to increase in the high-10% range this year. Given the complexity of advanced processes and the time required to establish production facilities, SK Hynix predicts that supply shortages will persist for a considerable period.Long-term supply contracts are also expanding. SK Hynix has completed negotiations for long-term agreements (LTA) with about ten companies, including key customers. These contracts typically span five years and include not only simple volume supply but also customer purchase commitments and deposits.SK Hynix emphasized that its current capacity expansion is based on demand secured through long-term partnerships with customers. The company stated, "Investment and production expansion will be carried out gradually, considering customer demand and investment efficiency, so the possibility of oversupply is limited."The company reaffirmed its confidence in its HBM competitiveness. It began mass production of HBM4 in the second quarter and plans to significantly increase production in the second half of the year. The next-generation product, HBM4E, has already been sampled to major customers, with mass production targeted for 2027.SK Hynix stated, "Our HBM competitiveness encompasses not only performance but also yield, quality, and stable mass production capabilities." The company noted that HBM4 has already achieved mass production stability similar to that of the previous generation product (HBM3E) and is proactively developing iHBM technology to address heat issues in the next-generation product.Regarding recent technological advancements by competitors, SK Hynix remarked, "The competitiveness accumulated in terms of market launch timing, product performance, mass production yield, quality, and customer trust is not easily achieved in a short period." The company emphasized that its early joint development experiences and long-term collaboration with customers will help maintain its leadership in the HBM market.The company will continue its aggressive investments tailored to the AI era. It plans to accelerate the mass production schedule for M15X and quickly expand production capacity following the operation of the first phase of the Yongin fab in early 2027.This year, capital expenditures (CAPEX) are expected to be in the upper 40 trillion won range. This includes the recently announced advanced packaging plant in Cheongju (P&T7) and a new NAND production facility (M17), as well as the establishment of a new semiconductor cluster following Yongin, all aimed at securing long-term growth.Regarding its listing on the Nasdaq American Depositary Receipts (ADR) in July, the company stated, "This is not merely a fundraising effort but a recognition of our technology and growth potential in the global market." It added that it aims to uncover new business opportunities as a result.With net cash increasing to 69 trillion won, SK Hynix has also announced plans for additional shareholder return policies. The company stated, "We are balancing growth investments in the AI era with financial soundness and shareholder returns as our capital allocation principle," and it plans to share additional shareholder return measures with the market once the ADR-related regulatory procedures are completed. 2026-07-29 12:20:00
  • Sokcho City Enhances Safety Measures at Beaches Amid Rising Concerns
    Sokcho City Enhances Safety Measures at Beaches Amid Rising Concerns As safety incidents involving beachgoers have increased along the East Coast, Sokcho City is intensifying its administrative efforts to create a safe summer destination by enhancing preventive safety management and a rapid rescue and emergency transport system at its beaches.Before the beach openings, Sokcho conducted systematic risk assessments to analyze potential hazards. Based on these evaluations, the city has readjusted swimming areas and strategically deployed safety personnel and rescue equipment, establishing a scientific and systematic safety management system.Sokcho has collaborated closely with police, fire departments, and maritime police to strengthen on-site safety management at its four beaches: Sokcho, Oeongchi, Lighthouse, and Cheongho, ensuring that visitors can enjoy water activities with peace of mind.Prior to the beach openings, the city conducted comprehensive risk assessments, examining underwater topography, depth changes, hazard distribution, existing safety facilities, and appropriate safety personnel. Areas with a high likelihood of accidents were excluded from swimming zones, allowing only relatively safe areas to be utilized.To enhance safety, safety buoys have been installed in areas with a depth of 1.5 meters or less, allowing visitors to easily identify safe swimming zones visually. This measure is expected to significantly enhance safety for families with children and less experienced swimmers.The number of on-site safety personnel has also been significantly increased. As of July 22, Sokcho has deployed a total of 53 water safety management personnel, with 46 stationed at Sokcho Beach and three each at Oeongchi, Lighthouse, and Cheongho beaches.These personnel patrol the waterfront and sea, monitoring visitor safety, conducting rescue operations and first aid in case of drowning incidents, and controlling access during adverse weather conditions. Their primary focus is on preventive measures to eliminate risks before accidents occur.For Sokcho Beach, which attracts the most visitors, a tailored safety management system is in place based on time of day. As night swimming is permitted, a special duty system has been established to ensure safety during daytime, nighttime, and late-night hours.During the day, 26 safety personnel are on duty, while 10 are assigned for nighttime. Additionally, from midnight to 9 a.m., dedicated night and early morning safety personnel work in shifts to prepare for potential safety incidents during nighttime hours. This measure reflects the recent trend of increasing nighttime swimming among tourists and aims to minimize safety gaps.Nighttime safety facilities have also been enhanced. In areas where night swimming is allowed, 20 LED safety buoys have been installed to ensure visibility in dark conditions. In contrast, designated no-swim zones have safety personnel stationed to control access and guide visitors, focusing on accident prevention.With recent reports of jellyfish appearances and even shark sightings along the East Coast, measures against harmful marine organisms have been strengthened. Sokcho has installed a total of 1.3 kilometers of harmful organism nets in swimming areas at all its beaches.The installation lengths are 600 meters at Sokcho Beach, 200 meters at Oeongchi Beach, 300 meters at Lighthouse Beach, and 200 meters at Cheongho Beach, effectively blocking harmful organisms like jellyfish and sharks from entering swimming zones.A comprehensive medical support system has also been established for rapid response to emergencies. A dedicated ambulance staffed with a nurse and driver will be stationed at the main entrance of Sokcho Beach daily from 4 p.m. to midnight during the beach operation period. This ensures that emergency treatment and hospital transport can be carried out swiftly, minimizing medical gaps even when fire department ambulances are not on-site.Additionally, local community centers conduct regular patrols of the coastal areas and harbors to actively participate in safety management activities.Sokcho emphasizes the importance of strict adherence to safety regulations by beachgoers. The city advises visitors to check weather information and the presence of dangerous waves and rip currents before swimming, and to avoid entering the water if weather warnings are in effect or if risks are anticipated. For children, it is essential that they are accompanied by guardians, and basic safety rules, such as wearing life jackets, must be followed.If swept away by a rip current, the safest method is to swim parallel to the shore to escape the current before signaling for help. Visitors are also advised to exit the water immediately upon spotting jellyfish and to seek assistance from safety personnel or medical staff for appropriate first aid if stung.In the future, Sokcho plans to immediately restrict access to swimming areas during dangerous conditions such as high waves, rip currents, or adverse weather, and will continue to conduct regular inspections of safety personnel, rescue equipment, safety buoys, and harmful organism nets to prevent accidents.Sokcho Mayor Lee Byeong-seon stated, “Sokcho is deploying personnel and facilities tailored to the characteristics of each beach based on risk assessments and is operating a robust response system in collaboration with relevant agencies. I hope that visitors will also comply with safety regulations and the instructions of safety personnel to ensure a safe and enjoyable summer vacation.”Meanwhile, Sokcho City has pledged to continuously strengthen its cooperation with relevant agencies during the summer beach operation period and to implement thorough on-site safety management to create a safe marine tourism city where both citizens and tourists can feel secure.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-29 12:15:00
  • Jang Dong-hyuk Calls for President Yoon to Declare No Re-election
    Jang Dong-hyuk Calls for President Yoon to Declare 'No Re-election' Jang Dong-hyuk, leader of the People Power Party, urged President Yoon Suk Yeol on July 29 to clearly declare that there will be "no re-election" following remarks made by National Assembly Speaker Jung Jin-suk, who stated that the issue of re-election for the sitting president is a matter for the public to decide.During a press conference at the National Assembly, Jang questioned, "Why can't you say the five words 'there will be no re-election'?" He asserted that Jung's comments were not merely personal opinions, claiming that the pro-Yoon faction within the Democratic Party is fixated on re-election because it is the only way to evade accountability for their alleged crimes.Jang criticized the recent unilateral passage of measures that he believes undermine constitutional order, including increasing the number of Supreme Court justices and introducing a four-tier judicial system. He emphasized that these actions are criminal acts that should be judged by history, arguing that they are attempts to build a case for Yoon's re-election to escape public condemnation.He also called on President Yoon to halt all efforts to cancel ongoing trials, warning that if Jung and the Democratic Party attempt to cancel Yoon's trials and push for a re-election constitutional amendment, it would mark the end of their administration.Regarding the shortage of ballots, Jang insisted that the Special Prosecutor Law must be passed swiftly. He pointed out that while evidence of organized electoral manipulation has emerged, the Election Commission seems to be downplaying the issue, suggesting that it is merely a case of isolated incidents in certain regions. He stated, "If ballot manipulation is possible, then vote count manipulation is also entirely feasible."Jang expressed suspicion that if such irregularities were found in Gyeonggi and Chungcheong provinces, they could have occurred nationwide. He noted that the public no longer trusts the self-investigation by the Yoon administration, asserting that many citizens are aware that Yoon, the Democratic Party, and the Election Commission are intertwined.He argued that the investigation into the deprivation of voting rights should be handled independently from the president and the Democratic Party, calling for the opposition to fully control the recommendation of the special prosecutor and for the investigation's scope to be unlimited with sufficient time allocated for it.Furthermore, he stated, "Instead of pushing through amendments to abolish supplementary investigative powers in tomorrow's plenary session, passing the Special Prosecutor Law should take precedence." He warned that if supplementary investigative powers are abolished without passing the Special Prosecutor Law, it could ultimately lead to the downfall of the administration.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-29 12:15:00
  • Financial Firms to Retain Responsibility for Cloud Services Amid IT Risks
    Financial Firms to Retain Responsibility for Cloud Services Amid IT Risks Financial companies will now be held accountable for managing risks related to hacking, data breaches, and system failures, even when outsourcing tasks to cloud or external IT service providers. The Financial Supervisory Service announced on July 29 that it has developed 'Guidelines for Managing Third-party IT Risks for Financial Companies' in collaboration with financial associations and central organizations. This initiative comes in response to growing concerns that incidents at outsourced firms could adversely affect financial consumers. The guidelines stipulate that the ultimate responsibility for risk management lies with the board of directors of the financial institutions, even when they delegate tasks to external vendors. Management is required to establish a relevant management system and designate a central management department to oversee the status of outsourcing and the appropriateness of contracts. A three-tier control system will be implemented, linking the central management department with the risk management and internal audit departments. Financial companies must assess the financial status of external vendors, the services provided, the types of information processed, encryption methods, and incident response systems, updating this information at least biannually. Vendors that significantly impact operations or financial consumers will be designated as 'key third parties' and will undergo risk assessments every six months. Before entering contracts, companies must verify the service capabilities and information protection systems of vendors through on-site inspections and clearly outline responsibilities in the event of incidents within the contract. During the contract period, they must prepare emergency plans and backup systems for potential system outages, as well as transition plans for alternative vendors upon contract termination. After the contract ends, access rights must be revoked, and retained information must be completely destroyed. Industry-specific associations plan to establish best practices based on these guidelines, set to take effect after November. However, the actual implementation timeline may vary depending on revisions to internal regulations and organizational adjustments within financial companies. 2026-07-29 12:03:00
  • Fair Trade Commission Fines Cial Holdings 79 Million Won for Violating Holding Company Regulations
    Fair Trade Commission Fines Cial Holdings 79 Million Won for Violating Holding Company Regulations Cial Holdings has been penalized by the Fair Trade Commission for holding an excessive amount of stocks in non-affiliated companies during its transition to a general holding company.On July 29, the Fair Trade Commission announced that it would impose a fine of 79 million won on Cial Holdings for holding non-affiliated stocks exceeding 15% of the total value of its subsidiaries. Cial Holdings has subsidiaries including Chosun Refractories, which produces special bricks, and the golf course Hwaseong CC.According to the Fair Trade Act, holding companies are prohibited from owning more than 5% of the total shares of non-affiliated domestic companies. However, an exception is made if the total value of non-affiliated stocks is less than 15% of the total value of subsidiary stocks, to encourage investment.When Cial Holdings transitioned to a general holding company in November 2023, it held stocks in 14 non-affiliated companies, including Cobalt, exceeding the 5% limit. The proportion of non-affiliated stocks also surpassed 15%, leading to a two-year grace period.However, in December 2023, Cial Holdings acquired shares in Cryptictures (14.29% of total issuance) and then purchased additional shares in Cobalt (15.16%) in August 2024, violating the restrictions. Although the company sold some non-affiliated stocks in September 2024 to comply with the limits, it exceeded the threshold again in November 2024 by acquiring more non-affiliated stocks, only to resolve the violation in January of the following year due to a decline in stock value.The Fair Trade Commission noted that Cial Holdings repeatedly violated regulations during the grace period and that the duration of the violations was significant. Consequently, it imposed a total fine of 79 million won, including 26 million won for the Cryptictures case and 53 million won for the Cobalt case.A Fair Trade Commission official stated, "This action is significant as it detects and penalizes actions that undermine the purpose of the holding company system, which aims to establish a simple, transparent, and sound ownership structure, thereby raising awareness of compliance with regulations. We will continue to monitor legal violations by holding companies and others." 2026-07-29 12:03:00
  • Japans Kumamoto Prefecture Hit by Earthquakes; South Korea Reviews Disaster Response
    Japan's Kumamoto Prefecture Hit by Earthquakes; South Korea Reviews Disaster Response The Ministry of the Interior and Safety announced on July 29 that it held a meeting of experts regarding the recent earthquakes in Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan, which registered magnitudes of 7.1 and 6.1.Led by the director of the Natural Disaster Response Bureau, the meeting included experts from the Korea Meteorological Administration, the National Disaster Safety Research Institute, the Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources, and Pusan National University.Participants analyzed the causes of the earthquakes in Japan and their potential impact on South Korea, focusing on the country's preparedness for earthquakes and tsunamis, enhancing public awareness of safety protocols, and improving coordination among relevant agencies.With 789 reports of tremors received domestically, indicating the influence of the neighboring country's earthquakes, attendees emphasized the need for ongoing monitoring and thorough preparedness.The meeting also highlighted the importance of active fault investigations to enhance the effectiveness of national earthquake disaster management policies, as well as strengthening the seismic performance of critical infrastructure such as power and communication systems, and the necessity of regular evacuation drills.In line with these efforts, the government is continuously promoting public safety measures, including awareness campaigns and inspections of evacuation sites.The Ministry aims to achieve a 100% seismic reinforcement rate for public facilities by 2035, up from 82.7% in 2025, and is implementing various policies, including financial assistance and tax benefits, to ensure the seismic performance of private structures.Additionally, the government has designated 11,366 outdoor evacuation sites and 680 emergency evacuation locations for tsunami preparedness. A nationwide inspection of evacuation sites was completed from April to June to ensure their proper management.To enhance public awareness of earthquake and tsunami preparedness, the government is hosting the 'Earthquake Safety AI Video Contest' this year and providing outreach education and earthquake experience drills for vulnerable populations.Kim Kwang-yong, head of the Disaster Safety Management Bureau, stated, "While there has been no direct damage from this earthquake in South Korea, we cannot afford to be complacent. The government will thoroughly review our preparedness and response measures for domestic earthquakes and tsunamis to ensure public safety."Meanwhile, a magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck Kumamoto Prefecture at 4:27 PM the previous day, resulting in 13 confirmed fatalities. This earthquake has drawn attention due to its similarities to the devastating earthquakes that struck the region a decade ago. In April 2016, Kumamoto experienced two major quakes of magnitudes 6.5 and 7.3 within two days, leading to the deaths of over 270 people due to building collapses and landslides.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-29 12:03:00
  • May Births Increase by Over 23,000; Marriages Decline After Three Months
    May Births Increase by Over 23,000; Marriages Decline After Three Months In May, the number of births increased by more than 23,000 compared to the previous year, marking 23 consecutive months of growth. However, the number of marriages, a leading indicator of birth rates, has declined for the first time in three months, and the overall population continues to decrease compared to last year.According to the National Data Agency's 'Population Trends for May 2026,' the number of births in May reached 23,160, an increase of 2,781 (13.6%) from the same period last year. The birth rate has not rebounded to early-year levels since recording 26,916 births in January.All provinces, except Jeju, saw an increase in the number of births compared to the same month last year. The total fertility rate, which represents the average number of children a woman is expected to have in her lifetime, rose to 0.85, up 0.10 from May of the previous year.In terms of birth order, the proportion of firstborns increased by 1.3 percentage points, while the proportions of second and third or higher births decreased by 0.2 percentage points and 1.1 percentage points, respectively.The number of deaths in May was recorded at 29,573, an increase of 1,091 (3.8%) from the same month last year. Deaths rose in 14 provinces, including Seoul and Busan, while Gwangju, Chungbuk, and Jeonbuk saw declines.As a result, the overall population has experienced natural decline for 79 consecutive months since November 2019, with a decrease of 6,413 people recorded in May alone. Natural decline occurred in 14 provinces, excluding Ulsan, Sejong, and Gyeonggi.The number of marriages, considered a leading indicator of birth rates, also turned downward after three months of increases. In May, the number of marriages was 20,368, down 1,392 (-6.4%) from the same month last year. All provinces, except Incheon, reported declines in marriage numbers compared to the previous year.During the same period, the number of divorces decreased by 290 (-3.9%) to 7,122. Divorces increased in nine provinces, including Incheon and Seoul, while eight provinces, including Gyeonggi and Busan, saw declines.Last month, the number of movers was 481,000, an increase of 3,000 (0.6%) from the previous year. Among the total movers, 65.9% moved within the same province, while 34.1% moved between provinces. The migration rate, which indicates the number of movers per 100 people, was 11.5%, up 0.1 percentage points from the same period last year.Net migration, calculated by subtracting outflows from inflows, was highest in Gyeonggi Province at 5,161. This was followed by Incheon with 2,229 and Chungbuk with 863. In contrast, Seoul experienced a net outflow of 5,697, with Busan (-1,149) and Daegu (-822) also reporting net outflows. 2026-07-29 12:03:00
  • Regional Economy Improves Amid Semiconductor Boom, Bank of Korea Predicts Steady Growth
    Regional Economy Improves Amid Semiconductor Boom, Bank of Korea Predicts Steady Growth The regional economy showed improvement in the first half of 2026, driven by strong performance in the semiconductor and service sectors, compared to the second half of last year. The Bank of Korea forecasts that the recovery in key manufacturing sectors, including semiconductors and automobiles, will continue into the second half, leading to slight improvements or stable conditions across most regions.According to the Bank of Korea's 'Regional Economic Report' released on July 29, 2026, the regional economy improved primarily in the metropolitan area, Chungcheong, Daegu-Gyeongbuk, and Jeju. The southeastern and Honam regions, as well as Gangwon, showed generally stable conditions.Manufacturing performance varied by region. The metropolitan area continued to see an increase in semiconductor production, bolstered by rising demand for AI server memory, following growth in the second half of last year. Chungcheong and Jeju also experienced production increases centered on semiconductors, while Daegu-Gyeongbuk saw growth in mobile phone components and steel production.In contrast, the southeastern and Honam regions faced slight declines in production due to sluggishness in the petrochemical and refining industries, while Gangwon struggled with cement and automotive parts.The Bank of Korea anticipates that manufacturing production in the second half will improve in the metropolitan area with semiconductors, in the southeastern region with automobiles and shipbuilding, in Honam with steel and semiconductors, and in Gangwon with medical devices and pharmaceuticals.Service sector production increased across all regions. The metropolitan area saw slight growth due to the recovery in finance and insurance, retail, and accommodation and food services, driven by a favorable stock market. The southeastern, Chungcheong, Honam, Daegu-Gyeongbuk, Gangwon, and Jeju regions also maintained positive trends in retail and accommodation and food services, supported by improved consumer sentiment and an increase in domestic and foreign tourists.The service sector is expected to continue its growth in the second half, driven by improved consumer sentiment and increased tourism demand, particularly in retail and transportation.The construction industry, however, faced challenges in most regions. Rising construction costs due to instability in the Middle East and supply chain issues constrained construction activity in the southeastern, Chungcheong, Daegu-Gyeongbuk, and Gangwon regions, while the metropolitan area remained stable. Conversely, Honam and Jeju saw slight improvements in the public sector, influenced by increased execution of social overhead capital (SOC) budgets.In the second half, construction is expected to recover somewhat in the metropolitan, Chungcheong, and Gangwon regions due to semiconductor factory expansions and the commencement of public infrastructure projects. The southeastern, Honam, and Daegu-Gyeongbuk regions are projected to remain stable, while Jeju may see a slight decline.The real estate market continued to show regional disparities. In the first half, housing prices rose significantly in the metropolitan, southeastern, and Honam regions, while Gangwon experienced a shift to an upward trend. In contrast, Chungcheong and Daegu-Gyeongbuk saw a reduction in price declines, while Jeju experienced an increase in its decline.Population movement between regions generally decreased. While net inflow to the metropolitan area declined, net inflow to Chungcheong increased, and Gangwon shifted to a net inflow.Employment increased in the metropolitan, Honam, Gangwon, and Jeju regions, while growth slowed in the southeastern and Chungcheong regions, and Daegu-Gyeongbuk experienced a decline.Jung Min-soo, head of the Bank of Korea's regional economic survey team, stated, "The regional economy is expected to maintain a generally favorable growth trend in the second half, although there will be differences between regions. While it may be difficult to expect growth rates as high as in the first half, the semiconductor sector will continue to perform well, and the automotive sector is expected to improve as temporary supply chain issues are resolved."He added, "The service sector is also expected to benefit from improved consumer sentiment and government policy effects continuing into the second half, with most regions projected to show slight improvements or stable conditions compared to the first half." 2026-07-29 12:03:00
  • SK Hynixs 3 Million Won Scenario Revisited Amid Stock Decline
    SK Hynix's 3 Million Won Scenario Revisited Amid Stock Decline SK Hynix's stock has recently experienced a sharp decline, bringing renewed attention to the previously discussed '3 million won scenario.'Images titled 'Possibilities for SK Hynix Reaching 3 Million Won' have been circulating across various online communities.The images outline a hypothetical scenario in which SK Hynix's stock price would need to reach 3 million won, contingent on all major global semiconductor companies exceeding market expectations in their earnings reports.Notably, the images include the earnings announcement schedules for nine companies: TSMC, Samsung Electronics, Google, SK Hynix, Seagate, Microsoft, Meta, Apple, and Amazon, along with the condition that 'if all nine are met, SK Hynix will re-enter the 3 million won range.'Next to each company, conditions necessary for an improvement in the semiconductor market are listed, such as 'strong performance needed,' 'earnings exceeding expectations,' 'increased CapEx,' and 'good cash flow.'However, the images currently circulating indicate that TSMC, Samsung Electronics, Google, and Seagate have already reported their earnings, marked with red circles. A large 'X' is drawn next to SK Hynix, with the caption 'Failed to re-enter 3 million won!' suggesting that the scenario is effectively nullified.This reflects the recent lackluster response of SK Hynix's stock following its earnings announcement, compounded by a downturn in U.S. tech and semiconductor stocks, which has dampened investor sentiment.In response, netizens commented, 'The 3 million won scenario is over,' 'Nomura's 4.7 million won target price has become a meme,' 'The market can collapse with just one variable going wrong,' 'AI demand is still strong, but investor sentiment is too weak,' and 'In the end, policy and sentiment are scarier than the semiconductor market itself.'Some investors noted, 'While 3 million won may be difficult for the time being, the growth of the AI memory market remains valid,' expressing hope for a recovery in the semiconductor market from a long-term perspective.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-29 11:55:00
  • Gangneungs Moonlight Art Show Set to Transform Night Tourism
    Gangneung's 'Moonlight Art Show' Set to Transform Night Tourism Gangneung is preparing for the opening of the 'Moonlight Art Show,' a key project in its tourism hub development initiative, marking a new era in night tourism. This project combines the country's largest LED moon sculpture with AI-based experiential content, aiming to extend daytime tourism activities into the evening and enhance Gangneung's competitiveness as a tourist destination.On July 29, Gangneung City announced it will hold a final report meeting for the 'Moonlight Art Show Content Production and System Construction Project' at 5 p.m. in the city hall's situation room.The meeting will include Gangneung Mayor Kim Jung-nam, city officials, and key representatives from DotMill, the project execution agency, to comprehensively review the facility's construction status and operational plans. They will focus on visitor flow, safety management measures, convenience facilities, and maintenance systems, ensuring all necessary aspects for the operation post-opening are thoroughly examined.This project is one of the core initiatives in Gangneung's tourism hub development, with a total budget of 5.1 billion won. The site is located in the ecological retention area of Jukheon-dong, aiming to create night tourism content linked to existing cultural heritage sites like Ojukheon and Seongyojang.Despite having rich tourist resources such as Ojukheon, Gyeongpo, Seongyojang, and Anmok Beach, Gangneung has seen visitor activities primarily concentrated during the day. In response, the city has developed strategies to expand nighttime attractions, increasing visitor stay duration and stimulating the local economy.The centerpiece of the Moonlight Art Show will be a massive 10-meter diameter LED moon sculpture installed on Hajungdo in the ecological retention area. This facility, the largest of its kind in the country, is expected to create a stunning visual of a giant moon rising against the night sky, enhanced by vibrant media art and lighting, establishing itself as a new nighttime landmark in Gangneung.The immersive media art show will feature a blend of light, video, and music, creating a new type of nighttime cultural space that combines nature with advanced digital technology, offering unique experiences for both citizens and tourists.Notably, the project will introduce interactive programs utilizing AI technology for differentiation. The main content, 'Finding My Moon,' is an experiential program where participants can engage directly. For visitors under 16, AI will generate images of their future selves, while those 16 and older will receive images of their childhood. These generated images can be saved on personal smartphones, providing visitors with special memories.The experience does not end there. After completing moon-related stamp missions set up around Gyeongpodae, visitors can exchange coupons to display their generated images on the large LED moon screen on Hajungdo. This unique experience of seeing one's face on the giant moon is expected to resonate well with families and younger generations, offering a type of participatory content rarely seen in traditional media art.The city anticipates that these interactive programs will not only enhance visitor satisfaction but also generate organic promotional effects through social media. The distinctive content is likely to encourage photo and video sharing online, serving as a new marketing tool to promote Gangneung's nighttime tourism.The Moonlight Art Show will be unveiled to the public on September 1, coinciding with Gangneung Citizen's Day. The city plans to operate the event entirely free of charge, without prior reservations, to ensure accessibility and encourage a large number of visitors, quickly establishing it as a premier nighttime tourism destination in Gangneung.The city expects that successful operation of the Moonlight Art Show will lead to increased accommodation demand from tourists, positively impacting local businesses such as restaurants, cafes, traditional markets, and small shops. Particularly, if stay-oriented tourism routes linking Gyeongpo, Ojukheon, and Seongyojang are activated, the overall local economy is expected to benefit significantly.During the final report meeting, the safety and maintenance systems of the facilities will also be a key focus. Given the importance of stable operation and ongoing management of the large LED installations and media equipment, detailed checks on staffing, facility inspection systems, and visitor safety measures will be conducted.Gangneung City is also considering expanding the Moonlight Art Show into seasonal events linked to cultural tourism content. By adding nighttime programs in conjunction with spring and autumn festivals and Gyeongpo area events, the influx of tourists is expected to increase further.Mayor Kim Jung-nam stated, “In this final report meeting, we focused on reviewing essential operational aspects such as visitor flow, safety management, and convenience for attendees. We will ensure that the ecological retention area, transitioning from traditional boat rides during the day to the Moonlight Art Show at night, becomes a new landmark for Gangneung and revitalizes the local economy.”Additionally, Gangneung City announced plans to develop the Moonlight Art Show into a year-round representative nighttime tourism resource following its opening on September 1, enhancing the competitiveness of the stay-oriented tourist city and driving local economic revitalization.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-29 11:50:00