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  • SK Hynix Expects Continued Investment in AI Infrastructure Amid Memory Demand Growth
    SK Hynix Expects Continued Investment in AI Infrastructure Amid Memory Demand Growth SK Hynix announced during its second-quarter earnings report on July 29 that it anticipates sustained investment in artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure from major cloud service providers (CSPs), despite potential slowdowns in AI spending from some big tech companies. The company stated, "We expect that AI-related investments from key CSPs will continue in the medium to long term, and the memory demand we are discussing with our customers reflects this trend."The company added, "While there may be some fluctuations in the timing of investments for individual projects due to physical constraints such as power supply and data center construction, the ongoing competition among CSPs in AI and service expansion suggests that investment in AI infrastructure will remain robust beyond next year."As a result, memory demand is also expected to grow. SK Hynix noted, "We anticipate an increase in demand across the memory spectrum, including high-bandwidth memory (HBM) for AI computations, server DRAM for agent-based AI, and high-performance, high-capacity NAND to accommodate the expansion of AI services and data growth." 2026-07-29 09:30:00
  • BTSs Normal Reenters Billboard Hot 100, Boosted by World Cup Performance
    BTS's 'Normal' Reenters Billboard Hot 100, Boosted by World Cup Performance 그룹 방탄소년단의 '노멀(NORMAL)'이 미국 빌보드 메인 송 차트에 재진입했다. According to the latest Billboard chart released on July 28, BTS's track 'Normal' from their fifth studio album 'Arirang' has reentered the Billboard Hot 100 at number 33. 'Normal' initially debuted at number 41 on the Hot 100 chart on April 4, where it remained for three weeks. Following the release of its music video and Korean version on July 17, the song gained momentum and climbed back into the chart at number 33. The album 'Arirang' also saw a resurgence on the main album chart, the Billboard 200, rising 17 spots to number 9. This marks the largest increase on the chart this week. 'Arirang' has spent a total of 13 weeks in the top 10 of the Billboard 200, the longest run for an album by a Korean artist. According to Billboard, 'Arirang' sold approximately 40,000 units this week, a 62% increase from the previous week. Billboard noted that BTS's performance of 'Dynamite' during the halftime show of the 2026 FIFA North and Central America World Cup final on July 19 positively impacted the album's rankings. The success continued on global charts as well. 'Normal' reached number 4 on the Global 200 chart, setting a new personal best, while it secured the number 2 spot on the Global (excluding the U.S.) chart. The title track 'Swim' ranked 10th and 5th on the respective charts. In total, six tracks from 'Arirang,' including 'Swim' and 'Normal,' as well as 'Body to Body,' '2.0,' 'Hooligan,' and 'FYA,' have remained on the Global (excluding the U.S.) chart for 18 weeks. The new song 'Come Over' debuted at number 133, and 'Dynamite' reentered at number 140. The detailed charts also showed significant gains. 'Normal' reached number 1 on the Digital Song Sales chart. 'Arirang' climbed 17 spots to number 2 on the Vinyl Albums chart, while it ranked 3rd and 28th on the Top Album Sales and Top Streaming Albums charts, respectively. BTS's tour excitement is reflected in various national album charts. 'Arirang' rose 13 spots to number 3 on the SNEP Top Albums chart in France for the week of July 24. This surge is attributed to the enthusiasm surrounding the BTS World Tour 'Arirang' in Paris, held at Stade de France on July 17-18. Meanwhile, BTS is set to continue their North American tour at MetLife Stadium in New York on August 1-2.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-29 09:27:00
  • Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang Meets with U.S. Commerce Secretary Ruttonick Amid Export Investigation
    Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang Meets with U.S. Commerce Secretary Ruttonick Amid Export Investigation Jensen Huang, CEO of Nvidia, visited Washington, D.C., this week and met with U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Ruttonick and other government and congressional officials.According to a report by Axios on July 28, citing sources familiar with the matter, Huang met with Secretary Ruttonick during his visit.Huang is also reported to have met with bipartisan lawmakers, including Senator Mark Warner, the Democratic vice chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee. While Huang's visit to Washington was previously known, this is the first time the meeting with Secretary Ruttonick has been disclosed.A spokesperson for Nvidia stated, "(CEO Huang) is meeting with both party leaders to discuss Nvidia's efforts to strengthen the U.S. supply chain through $500 billion in technology production over the next four years, as well as U.S. leadership in the AI sector, including open source." The specific topics discussed between Huang and Ruttonick have not been made public. However, it is suggested that the ongoing investigation by the U.S. Department of Commerce into potential violations related to the export of Nvidia's advanced AI chip, Blackwell, to China may have been on the agenda.Last week, a spokesperson for the Department of Commerce's Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) confirmed to Axios that they are investigating possible violations concerning the export of Blackwell chips to China.There may have also been discussions regarding AI policies being developed by the Trump administration. The U.S. government is preparing a policy framework that would allow government access to advanced AI models before their release, while also reviewing approaches to open source AI and China. Related policies are expected to be made public by August 1.Meanwhile, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Vessenet recently warned that additional regulations could be implemented if Chinese companies infringe on U.S. intellectual property (IP) while utilizing open source AI.Vessenet stated on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), "We support open source AI and the innovations it enables," but emphasized, "This does not mean that open source can freely exploit U.S. intellectual property." He added that if Chinese companies engage in covert and industrial-scale 'distillation attacks' that amount to IP theft, sanctions or inclusion on export control lists could be considered.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-29 09:24:00
  • KOSPI Rises Over 1% Despite Weakness in U.S. Semiconductor Stocks
    KOSPI Rises Over 1% Despite Weakness in U.S. Semiconductor Stocks Domestic stocks rebounded in early trading despite weakness in U.S. semiconductor shares. Following a sharp decline the previous day, bargain-hunting activity helped the KOSPI recover above the 6,100 mark.As of 9:04 a.m. on July 29, the KOSPI was up 99.40 points (1.65%) at 6,123.06. The index started at 6,089.11, up 65.45 points (1.09%), and continued to expand its gains.In the securities market, foreign and institutional investors were net buyers, purchasing 10.2 billion won and 50.4 billion won, respectively. In contrast, individual investors sold a net 67.5 billion won, taking profits.Among the top market capitalization stocks, the performance was mixed. Samsung Electronics rose 0.45%, Samsung Electro-Mechanics increased by 2.33%, Hyundai Motor gained 1.51%, LG Energy Solution was up 1.59%, and KB Financial climbed 3.09%. However, SK Hynix fell 0.13%, SK Square dropped 3.35%, Samsung Biologics decreased by 0.26%, and Samsung Life Insurance was down 0.35%.On the New York Stock Exchange, the tech-heavy Nasdaq index closed down 0.22%. Semiconductor stocks continued to struggle, with Micron falling 8.85%, AMD down 8.15%, Intel dropping 5.86%, Qualcomm decreasing 4.21%, and Western Digital down 6.91%. The Philadelphia Semiconductor Index fell 4.49%, marking its fourth consecutive day of decline.At the same time, the KOSDAQ index was up 8.92 points (1.26%) at 714.77. It started at 713.71, up 7.86 points (1.11%), and maintained its upward trend.In the KOSDAQ market, individual and institutional investors were net buyers, purchasing 18.6 billion won and 8.7 billion won, respectively, while foreign investors sold a net 26.8 billion won.The top KOSDAQ stocks also showed mixed results. Alteogen rose 0.17%, EcoPro increased by 2.34%, EcoPro BM was up 0.39%, Rainbow Robotics gained 8.11%, JUSUNG Engineering rose 2.02%, LinoTech increased by 1.30%, and Wonik IPS was up 1.01%. Conversely, HLB fell 0.49%, ABL Bio dropped 0.58%, and Pharma Research decreased by 2.80.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-29 09:21:00
  • Chinas Ai Sheng Na Achieves Milestone in Domestic DUV Development
    China's Ai Sheng Na Achieves Milestone in Domestic DUV Development China has successfully localized the development of immersion DUV (deep ultraviolet) lithography equipment, with the manufacturer identified as Ai Sheng Na, established in Shanghai.According to Reuters, citing anonymous sources, the state-owned Ai Sheng Na Electronic Technology Group is recruiting experts in lithography to produce immersion DUV systems.Founded in August 2023, Ai Sheng Na has a capital of 7 billion yuan (approximately $1.5 billion). Shanghai Micro Electronics Equipment (SMEE) and the Shanghai International Trust, both state-owned enterprises, each hold a 50% stake in the company. Ai Sheng Na has reportedly recruited development teams from SMEE and Yuliangsheng, both of which are involved in lithography equipment development. Yuliangsheng is considered a subsidiary of the semiconductor equipment company, Sinokairai, which is affiliated with Huawei.This establishment of Ai Sheng Na and the integration of development teams from SMEE and Yuliangsheng are seen as efforts by China to accelerate the development of DUV equipment at a national level.Earlier, U.S. tech outlet The Information reported on July 28 that a Chinese semiconductor equipment company is producing immersion DUV systems, planning to ship five units this year and 20 units next year, although the company's name was not disclosed.If China's production of immersion DUV systems is confirmed, it would mark a historic technological breakthrough. Associate Professor Fu Fangjian from Singapore Management University stated in an interview with the United Daily News that this could be a significant breakthrough for China in overcoming U.S. technological pressures.Additionally, Zhang Pan, founder of Advantage Research Consulting based in Singapore, noted, "If China successfully produces DUV systems, it will only be a matter of time before it breaks through 7-nanometer semiconductor process technology. Accelerating the development of lithography technology could pose a substantial threat to the U.S.-led global semiconductor ecosystem." 2026-07-29 09:18:00
  • Celltrion to Announce New Drug Pipeline Results, Including Obesity Treatment and ADCs
    Celltrion to Announce New Drug Pipeline Results, Including Obesity Treatment and ADCs Celltrion plans to sequentially announce the development results of its next-generation obesity treatment and antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) pipeline starting this year. The non-clinical results for the obesity treatment candidate will be disclosed by the end of this year, while initial clinical results for the ADC candidate currently in Phase 1 trials are expected to be revealed in the first half of next year.On July 29, Celltrion shared these drug development plans during an internal research and development status report meeting.Leveraging its antibody development technology accumulated through its biosimilar business, Celltrion aims to maximize the speed and success rate of new drug development, expanding its growth focus into the new drug sector.The first pipeline to show research results will be the quadruple-action obesity treatment candidate, CT-G32.Celltrion is conducting GLP toxicology tests to determine the appropriate dosage and ensure safety for CT-G32, the world’s first next-generation obesity treatment candidate that acts on four targets simultaneously.Based on these results, the company plans to submit an Investigational New Drug (IND) application for Phase 1 clinical trials by February next year, with the goal of starting patient dosing in the second quarter of next year if the approval process proceeds as planned.In previous non-clinical trials, CT-G32 demonstrated superior weight loss effects and preservation of lean body mass compared to a triple-target agent being developed by a global pharmaceutical company.Additionally, Celltrion is developing a multi-action oral obesity treatment, aiming to submit an IND by the second half of 2028. The company has also initiated the development of long-acting obesity treatments and therapies for various metabolic diseases, including sarcopenia and diabetes, as part of its strategy to expand its new drug product lifecycle management.Celltrion is accelerating the development of ADCs and multi-antibody treatments that have entered clinical stages. Four candidates, including three ADCs (CT-P70, CT-P71, CT-P73) and one multi-antibody candidate (CT-P72), have all entered the patient dosing phase.Among these, two ADC candidates are expected to complete Part 1 of Phase 1 clinical trials by the end of this year, with topline results to be announced sequentially starting in the first half of next year. Following this, the company plans to enter Part 2 clinical trials for dose optimization, with CT-P70, the fastest in development, aiming to enter Part 2 by March next year.The main indications for each candidate include: CT-P70 for non-small cell lung cancer and colorectal cancer; CT-P71 for urothelial carcinoma, breast cancer, and prostate cancer; CT-P73 for cervical cancer and head and neck cancer; and CT-P72 for gastric and breast cancer.CT-P70 received FDA Fast Track designation last year, while CT-P71 received it this year. Celltrion plans to actively utilize the FDA's Fast Track program for these candidates, targeting cancers with high unmet medical needs to significantly accelerate commercialization timelines.Currently, Celltrion is developing a total of 25 new drug candidates through its own research and open innovation. By the end of this year, five candidates are expected to enter clinical stages, with the total expected to expand to eight candidates next year.A Celltrion official stated, "Starting with the disclosure of non-clinical results for the next-generation obesity treatment by the end of this year, key clinical results for the cancer ADC candidates will be sequentially revealed in the first half of next year. This will be an important turning point for the market to recognize the company's new drug development capabilities and pipeline potential."Meanwhile, Celltrion announced on July 27 that it recorded consolidated sales of 1.3937 trillion won and an operating profit of 451.8 billion won for the second quarter.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-29 09:12:00
  • Sihung Mayor Im Byeong-taek Celebrates Shincheon-dong Parking Initiative Award
    Sihung Mayor Im Byeong-taek Celebrates Shincheon-dong Parking Initiative Award Im Byeong-taek, the mayor of Sihung, congratulated the Shincheon-dong Residents' Council for winning the top prize at the Gyeonggi Province Residents' Council Excellence Case Competition. He emphasized that this achievement reflects grassroots governance, where residents actively solve everyday issues.On July 28, Im shared on his social media that the Shincheon-dong Residents' Council received the award for their project titled "Changing Daily Life through Governance: Shincheon-dong Shared Parking." He expressed gratitude for the hard work and dedication of the council members, stating, "I am proud of Sihung, a city with many good citizens."The Shincheon-dong Residents' Council presented their project at the '2026 Gyeonggi Province Residents' Council Excellence Case Competition' held at the Gyeonggi Provincial Office's Dasan Hall, where they were selected as the top winner among 15 municipalities that passed the preliminary review.Due to the dense residential and commercial nature of the old downtown area, securing new public parking spaces has been challenging, leading to repeated illegal parking during nights and weekends. The Residents' Council devised a solution by sharing parking lots at schools, churches, and commercial facilities that are vacant during specific hours.The council members actively identified available spaces, met with facility managers to discuss parking hours, user recruitment, safety management, and maintaining order. They also played a key role in mediating any inconveniences between facility owners and residents.Since signing a partnership agreement with Shincheon High School in 2019, Sihung City has expanded the shared parking initiative to include Shincheon Elementary School, Shincheon Church, and Shinil Bank Elementary School. The Residents' Council has been responsible for member recruitment and on-site operations, broadening the community's shared parking infrastructure.The judging panel highly praised the initiative for utilizing existing underused spaces as community resources instead of incurring significant costs to build new facilities. They noted the active participation of residents throughout the entire process, from identifying local issues to persuading facility owners, formalizing agreements, and actual operations.Mayor Im stated, "To address the parking shortage in the old downtown, schools, churches, and commercial facilities joined the shared parking movement, thanks to the active persuasion and service of the dedicated Residents' Council members. I sincerely congratulate Chairperson Lee Eun-joo and the committee for their efforts leading to this valuable recognition from Gyeonggi Province."He added, "I am truly grateful and proud of the many good citizens in Sihung who willingly dedicate their time and effort for their community. I will work to ensure that the positive changes created by residents continue and spread to other neighborhoods."Meanwhile, Gyeonggi Province selected Sihung City as the top winner in this competition, awarding the best prize to Gapyeong County and excellence awards to Gunpo, Anseong, and Hwaseong cities. A total of 29 million won will be provided to the winning municipalities to support the dissemination of residents' council initiatives.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-29 09:12:00
  • Celltrion to unveil obesity, cancer drug data as it pushes beyond biosimilars
    Celltrion to unveil obesity, cancer drug data as it pushes beyond biosimilars SEOUL, July 29 (AJP) - Celltrion announced it would release preclinical data for its next-generation obesity candidate this year and begin disclosing early clinical results for its antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) programs from the first half of 2027, as the South Korean drugmaker moves to widen its footing beyond biosimilars into novel therapies. The company, which built its name replicating blockbuster biologics, is now betting that the antibody expertise and global clinical, manufacturing and regulatory muscle honed over years of biosimilar work can accelerate its push into higher-value original drugs. First in line is CT-G32, a quadruple-action obesity candidate that Celltrion is advancing as a potential first-in-class therapy. The drugmaker is running GLP toxicology tests in 252 rats and 48 monkeys to nail down safe dosing, with results due at an academic conference in November and an Investigational New Drug application slated for February 2027. Should approval proceed smoothly, the first patients would be dosed in the second quarter of next year. Earlier preclinical work showed CT-G32 outperformed a rival triple-target agonist on weight loss while sparing lean muscle mass, the company said. Celltrion is simultaneously advancing four ADC and multi-antibody candidates that have entered patient dosing, two of which will wrap up their Phase 1 part-one studies this year, with topline readouts to follow through the first half of 2027. Two of the programs, CT-P70 and CT-P71, have already secured U.S. Food and Drug Administration fast-track status, targeting hard-to-treat cancers from non-small-cell lung to breast and prostate. The company is developing about 25 novel candidates in all and expects its roster of clinical-stage programs to more than triple from this year's levels by 2028, funneling the steady cash thrown off by its biosimilar franchise into research. "The unveiling of preclinical data for our next-generation obesity treatment late this year, followed by key clinical results for our cancer ADC candidates in the first half of next year, will mark a pivotal turning point where the market can gauge our drug-development capabilities and pipeline potential," said a Celltrion spokesperson. 2026-07-29 08:56:16
  • Netflixs The East Palace rises to No. 2 on global non-English TV chart
    Netflix's 'The East Palace' rises to No. 2 on global non-English TV chart SEOUL, July 29 (AJP) -Netflix's Korean fantasy series "The East Palace" climbed to No. 2 on the platform's global Top 10 list for non-English television shows in its second week of release, drawing 8.1 million views and entering the Top 10 in 69 countries, according to Netflix's weekly rankings on Wednesday. The eight-part series, which premiered on July 17, stars Nam Joo-hyuk, Roh Yoon-seo and Cho Seung-woo in a supernatural mystery set in a royal palace. It follows Gu-cheon, a man able to cross into the spirit world, and court lady Saeng-gang as they investigate a curse haunting the East Palace at the king's request. Netflix released 15 behind-the-scenes photos featuring main characters. The images show the cast during filming as well as the sets, visual-effects work and production techniques used to create the series' fantasy sequences. "The East Palace" is directed by Choi Jung-kyu and written by Kwon So-ra and Seo Jae-won. It is available on Netflix. 2026-07-29 08:54:50
  • Trump stresses steadfast alliance with Seoul on Korean War armistice anniversary
    Trump stresses 'steadfast alliance' with Seoul on Korean War armistice anniversary SEOUL, July 29 (AJP) - U.S. President Donald Trump reaffirmed the "steadfast alliance" between Seoul and Washington on Tuesday, marking the 73rd anniversary of the Korean War armistice. "More than seven decades after the war, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), Kim was joined by senior party and military officials, war veterans, and diplomats from China and Russia at the parade, which featured the country's modern military arsenals. Kim, accompanied by his daughter Ju-ae, visited memorial sites for Chinese soldiers who fought in the Korean War, in what was largely seen as a gesture highlighting the importance of North Korea's ties with Beijing. The contrasting commemorations reflected the enduring legacy of the 1950-53 Korean War, which ended in an armistice, leaving the two Koreas technically still at war more than seven decades later. 2026-07-29 08:53:44