AJU PRESS ASIA FIRST NEWS AGENCY

Journalist

&
""
Latest by
  • Hoban Construction Automates Concrete Volume Calculation with AI, Expanding to Sites by August
    Hoban Construction Automates Concrete Volume Calculation with AI, Expanding to Sites by August Hoban Construction is enhancing productivity on construction sites by automating the calculation of concrete volumes using artificial intelligence (AI). On July 28, the company announced that it has developed an AI-based 'automated concrete volume calculation technology' and is currently applying it at pilot sites. This technology automatically calculates the amount of concrete needed for structural pouring, such as in basements. The AI analyzes blueprints uploaded to a server, and when site technicians mark the pouring areas on the processed drawings, the required concrete volume is calculated in real-time. The results can be viewed by structural component, such as floors, columns, and beams, as well as by concrete strength. With this system, site technicians can establish more accurate concrete ordering plans based on the automatically generated data. The company expects benefits including reduced work hours, improved accuracy in volume calculations, decreased concrete waste, and enhanced operational efficiency. Previously, site technicians manually calculated the concrete volumes for each pouring area by reviewing the blueprints. This process could lead to longer calculation times and a higher likelihood of errors, especially for less experienced technicians. Discrepancies between the actual required volume and the calculated amount could result in delays in pouring or leftover concrete, leading to inefficiencies. Throughout July, Hoban Construction is conducting technical validation at two Hoban Summit sites. The team responsible for technology development plans to incorporate user feedback from the field to refine the features before expanding the application to all sites in August. Last year, Hoban Construction also developed AI-based window estimation technology, which analyzes blueprints to automatically calculate construction quantities. This technology reduced the time required for estimation and ordering from over three days to about half a day. The company intends to gradually expand AI-based volume calculation systems, starting with the automated concrete volume calculation technology and including window estimation technology, to enhance the construction quantity estimation framework. A representative from Hoban Construction stated, "We are utilizing AI not just as a simple work support tool but as a practical means to enhance on-site productivity. We will continue to expand the introduction of AI technology to reduce the workload of field practitioners and improve the accuracy of process and cost management." Meanwhile, on July 26, Hoban Construction was selected as the contractor for the redevelopment project in the Geumjeong 3 district of Gunpo, Gyeonggi Province. This project involves constructing six buildings with 656 apartments and community facilities, spanning four underground floors and 35 above-ground floors, with a total construction cost of approximately 230 billion won.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-28 18:05:00
  • Korean Women Golfers Aim for Most LPGA Wins in Six Years
    Korean Women Golfers Aim for Most LPGA Wins in Six Years Korean women golfers are steadily reclaiming their status as a dominant force in the sport, achieving six victories on the 2026 LPGA Tour and positioning themselves to regain the title of most wins by a country for the first time in six years.On July 26, Shin Ji-eun secured a wire-to-wire victory at the ISPS Handa Scottish Open held at Dundonald Links in North Ayrshire, Scotland, finishing with a total score of 9-under 279. This marks her second career win, coming nearly 10 years and two months after her first victory at the Texas Shootout in May 2016.With this win, Korean players have now combined for six victories this season. Lee Mi-hyang opened the season with a win at the Blue Bay LPGA in March, her first in over eight years. Kim Hyo-joo followed with consecutive wins at the Founders Cup and the Ford Championship. Yoo Hae-ran then achieved back-to-back major victories at the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship in June and the Amundi Evian Championship in July. Shin Ji-eun's recent win completed a remarkable streak of three consecutive victories for Korean golfers.As the second half of the season approaches, Korea has matched last year's total of six wins, placing them in a tie for first in the country standings. The United States has also recorded six wins, with world No. 1 Nelly Korda contributing four victories, while Lauren Coughlin and the team of Gina Kim and Yana Wilson each have one win.Japan, which led with seven wins last year, has only one victory this season from Miyu Yamashita.Korean women’s golf was once a dominant force on the LPGA Tour, achieving 15 wins in 2015, 2017, and 2019. However, after narrowly leading the U.S. with seven wins in 2020, the number of victories declined to six in 2021, four in 2022, and five in 2023, with only three wins in 2024, trailing the U.S. significantly.This year, the momentum has shifted positively, with hopes for double-digit wins for the first time since 2019 and a return to the top of the country standings for the first time in six years. The resurgence is largely attributed to the strong performances of veteran players in their 30s, who have contributed four of the six wins. Kim Hyo-joo, 31, has two wins, while Lee Mi-hyang, 33, and Shin Ji-eun, 34, each have one win, showcasing their experience and stability in Korean golf.Additionally, 25-year-old Yoo Hae-ran's success has created a perfect blend of youth and experience. Yoo has emerged as a top player on the LPGA Tour, winning two major tournaments this year. It is the first time since Inbee Park swept three major tournaments in 2013 that a Korean player has won back-to-back majors.Looking ahead, the focus for the Korean golfers is on the AIG Women’s Open, which begins on July 30. If a Korean player wins this tournament, it would mark four consecutive victories on the tour and place them in sole possession of the lead for most wins by a country.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-28 18:00:00
  • Japanese Expert: Kumamoto Earthquake Similar to 2016, Larger Quake Possible
    Japanese Expert: Kumamoto Earthquake Similar to 2016, Larger Quake Possible A magnitude 7.1 earthquake that struck Kumamoto Prefecture in Japan has been analyzed as a 'strike-slip' earthquake, similar to the 2016 Kumamoto earthquake.According to the Nihon Keizai Shimbun (Nikkei), the earthquake occurred at 4:27 p.m. on July 28, with a depth of approximately 9 kilometers. The highest intensity of 7 was recorded in Uki City and Hikawa Town in Kumamoto Prefecture.Strike-slip earthquakes occur when fault lines shift horizontally under pressure. While the shaking from these quakes is generally more localized compared to subduction zone earthquakes like the 2011 Tohoku earthquake, their shallow depth can cause significant shaking in specific areas.The Kumamoto earthquake in April 2016 also exhibited this type of fault mechanism, recording two magnitude 7 quakes. Kazushige Obara, a fellow at the National Research Institute for Earth Science and Disaster Resilience, stated, "This relatively shallow earthquake at a depth of about 9 kilometers is similar in location and mechanism to the Kumamoto earthquake from ten years ago."During the 2016 Kumamoto earthquake, fault ruptures occurred to the north of the Hinagu fault, extending southwest toward Yatsushiro Bay from Mashiki Town in Kumamoto Prefecture.Aitaro Gato, a professor at the University of Tokyo's Earthquake Research Institute, noted, "This earthquake occurred further south than the previous one, and there is a possibility of sequential fault ruptures occurring further south, which requires caution."This is the first time since the Noto Peninsula earthquake in January 2024 that a magnitude 7 tremor has been observed in Japan, and it marks the first such occurrence in Kumamoto Prefecture in nearly a decade since the 2016 Kumamoto earthquake.Meanwhile, the earthquake caused power outages in 50,000 households in Kumamoto, and fires were reported in some areas. Additionally, JR Kyushu, the local railway operator, suspended operations of the Shinkansen and other trains, while Kumamoto Airport's runway was closed, leading All Nippon Airways (ANA) to halt flight operations.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-28 18:00:00
  • South Korea Sees Surge in AI Investment Amid U.S.-China Financial Risks
    South Korea Sees Surge in AI Investment Amid U.S.-China Financial Risks South Korea's venture capital (VC) market is rebounding in the second quarter, driven by investments in artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics, and is expected to reach record levels this year. The influx of foreign capital, including investments from Nvidia, is further fueling this investment enthusiasm.While global AI investment remains heavily concentrated in the United States, recent financial market risks between the U.S. and China have led to increased capital flowing into the South Korean market.According to THE VC, a venture capital analysis platform, the total investment in domestic startups and small businesses for the second quarter was 5.63 trillion won. Excluding the 2.22 trillion won from Dunamu's acquisition of existing shares, new investments in the second quarter amounted to 3.41 trillion won. The cumulative investment for the first half of the year, excluding acquisitions, reached 5.57 trillion won, a 124.7% increase compared to the same period last year (2.48 trillion won).The cumulative investment for the first half of the year stands at 7.80 trillion won, surpassing last year's total annual investment of 6.93 trillion won. As of now, the cumulative investment has reached 8.53 trillion won, reflecting a 145% increase from the previous year.With a focus on big deals, the average investment amount has surged to 24.78 billion won, nearly three times the amount from last year (8.55 billion won), while the median investment has doubled to 7 billion won from last year's 3.5 billion won. The proportion of deals exceeding 10 billion won in early rounds has expanded to 71.8%, indicating a clear trend toward larger initial investments.Investments have concentrated on AI and robotics. This year, the number of investments in AI and robotics reached 169, an 8.3% increase from last year, with the investment amount soaring to 2.68 trillion won, a 485.2% increase. AI and robotics accounted for 34.3% of total investment, rising to 51.7% in early rounds and 91.5% in seed rounds.In addition to domestic VC funds, direct investments from foreign capital are also active. Nvidia has committed to investing $1 billion (approximately 1.46 trillion won) in Naver.The semiconductor materials company Point2Tech raised 53.7 billion won in its Series B funding round in April. In the semiconductor and display sectors, there were 20 deals exceeding 10 billion won by the second quarter, the second highest after the bio, medical, and healthcare sectors. Among the 17 large deals exceeding 50 billion won in the second quarter, five were in this sector, representing the largest share.Doosan Robotics is also reportedly in discussions for equity investments from U.S. funds, suggesting that direct investments in AI could reach new heights.There are indications of capital inflow from China as well. Recently, Shandong High-Speed, a Chinese state-owned fund, decided to invest up to 1 trillion won in domestic renewable energy and AI-linked projects. Companies like Huawei and Xfusion are also reportedly continuing discussions about investments centered on AI data centers.In this context, Shandong High-Speed Chairman Pan Yongmin stated, "Korea's financial sector has developed significantly compared to other countries in the global economy, and there are almost no risk factors. The investment in computing systems has also been active, allowing for bold investment decisions."Analysts suggest that the backdrop for this investment boom includes financial market instability in the U.S. and China. With unpredictable financial policies under the Trump administration and escalating competition for AI dominance with China, uncertainty has increased for many companies, excluding some big tech firms.The deterioration of corporate liquidity due to excessive capital investment by U.S. and Chinese companies has also driven investors to seek opportunities in South Korea. In fact, a Bank of America survey in July identified the "collapse of the AI bubble" as the biggest risk factor in the financial market. The International Financial Center has pointed to financial risks as a downward factor for the Chinese economy this year.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-28 17:55:00
  • Regional Financial Institutions Show Mixed Results in First Half of 2026
    Regional Financial Institutions Show Mixed Results in First Half of 2026 The performance of the three major regional financial holding companies in the first half of 2026 was mixed. JB Financial achieved its highest net profit ever, while BNK Financial and iM Financial saw declines. The deterioration in profitability, coupled with stricter management of household loans and the burden of a slowing regional economy, has raised concerns about asset soundness.According to the financial sector on July 28, the combined net profit of BNK, JB, and iM Financial for the first half of the year was 1.0931 trillion won, a 5.4% decrease from 1.1555 trillion won during the same period last year. This contrasts sharply with the four major financial holding companies, which reported a record net profit of 11.3392 trillion won during the same timeframe.Among the holding companies, only JB Financial reported an increase in net profit. Its net profit for the first half of the year rose to 385.7 billion won, a 4.1% increase compared to the previous year. In the second quarter, net profit also increased by 5.7% to 219.6 billion won, setting a new quarterly record. The profits of Jeonbuk Bank and Gwangju Bank increased compared to the first quarter, and JB Woori Capital contributed over 100 billion won to the overall performance.In contrast, iM Financial's net profit for the first half of the year fell to 295.6 billion won, a 4.4% decrease from last year. BNK Financial's net profit was 411.8 billion won, down 13.5% from the same period last year. This decline was influenced by the absence of one-time gains from real estate fund liquidations recorded last year and the occurrence of settlement losses this year.Industry experts cite the poor performance of regional banks, which make up the largest share, and a business structure heavily reliant on capital and insurance as reasons for the downturn.Indeed, BNK Financial's banking sector net profit decreased by 13.2% to 356.2 billion won. The net profits of Busan Bank and Gyeongnam Bank fell by 20.1% and 2.2%, respectively, to 201.2 billion won and 155 billion won. iM Bank also saw a 4.2% decrease in net profit to 245.7 billion won.The issue is compounded by rising delinquency rates amid declining profitability. JB Financial's second-quarter delinquency rate rose to 1.64%, an increase of 0.26 percentage points from the end of last year. BNK Financial's rate also increased to 1.34%, up 0.20 percentage points during the same period. Although iM Financial's delinquency rate slightly decreased to 1.38%, it remains above 1%.There is a noticeable increase in delinquencies in both household and corporate loans. Jeonbuk Bank's second-quarter household loan delinquency rate rose to 1.70%, up 0.21 percentage points from the end of last year, while the corporate loan delinquency rate climbed to 1.80%. Gwangju Bank's household loan delinquency rate surpassed 1% at 1.02%, and its corporate loan delinquency rate increased to 1.31%. iM Bank saw a decrease in household loan delinquencies, but its corporate loan delinquency rate (1.18%) has risen for four consecutive quarters.The financial sector anticipates that the performance of regional financial holding companies will not improve significantly in the short term. The government's tightening of household loan management has limited business expansion, and the recovery of the regional economy is lagging.A financial sector official stated, "Regional financial holding companies continue to face soundness pressures due to the slowdown in the regional economy and the credit structure centered on small and medium-sized enterprises. If the trend of rising interest rates continues, both profitability and asset soundness may come under pressure."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-28 17:55:00
  • Heat-Related Illnesses Surge After Rainy Season Ends, Death Toll Rises to 9
    Heat-Related Illnesses Surge After Rainy Season Ends, Death Toll Rises to 9 The end of the rainy season has led to a nationwide heat wave, resulting in an additional death from heat-related illness. Following a pattern observed last year, health authorities have urged the public to limit outdoor activities and adhere to health guidelines as cases surge after the rainy season. According to Yonhap News and the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, from May 15 to July 27, when the heat-related illness emergency room surveillance system was activated, a total of 1,482 cases were reported, with the death toll rising from 8 to 9. The latest victim was a 65-year-old woman residing in Gangneung, Gangwon Province. Most heat-related illnesses occurred outdoors, with 81.8% of cases reported in outdoor settings. The most common locations included workplaces (26.2%), followed by rice paddies and fields (15.9%) and roadsides (12.4%). The elderly have been particularly affected, with individuals aged 65 and older accounting for 30.2% of all heat-related cases. The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency has emphasized the need for special attention for vulnerable groups, including outdoor workers and the elderly. It highlighted that seniors, individuals with disabilities, pregnant women, children, and those with underlying health conditions are especially susceptible to heat, urging them to strictly follow preventive measures tailored to their health status. Additionally, the agency advised elderly individuals and those living alone to actively use cooling devices and heat relief centers, and for family and neighbors to frequently check on their well-being. It also recommended that individuals with underlying health conditions ensure adequate hydration and consult healthcare professionals about their medications. The agency noted that a similar spike in heat-related illnesses was observed last year after heavy rainfall, and with the current heat wave expected to intensify following the end of the rainy season, the number of cases may continue to rise due to higher-than-average temperatures forecasted. Im Seung-kwan, head of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, urged the public to rigorously follow health guidelines in preparation for the heat and to frequently check on the health of vulnerable individuals, such as the elderly, according to Yonhap News.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-28 17:50:00
  • Lotte On to Offer Major Discounts for Vacation Products from July 29
    Lotte On to Offer Major Discounts for Vacation Products from July 29 롯데쇼핑의 이커머스 플랫폼 롯데온이 오는 29일부터 31일까지 대표 할인 행사 '라스트찬스'를 진행한다고 28일 밝혔다.롯데온은 행사 기간 라스트찬스 10% 중복쿠폰을 제공하며, 카카오페이로 결제하면 10% 추가 할인 혜택을 받을 수 있다.롯데온은 여름휴가를 앞두고 막바지 쇼핑에 나서는 고객을 겨냥해 여행과 일상에서 활용도가 높은 상품을 선보인다. 먼저 모달·인견 소재의 파자마와 냉감이불 등 숙면 상품을 비롯해 데오티슈, 시트마스크, 샴푸 등 여름철 쿨링 상품을 마련했다.물놀이와 휴양지에서 활용할 수 있는 비치웨어와 휴양지룩도 판매한다. 비키니밴더의 커버업 가디건과 레베랑스 모노키니, 루즈핏 래시가드, 배럴·아레나 상품 등이 대표적이다.매일 새로운 상품을 특가로 판매하는 투데이픽도 운영한다. 29일부터 이틀 간 유아용품과 뷰티·생활용품, 가구, 건강기능식품, 골프웨어 등을 공개한다. 아울러 신규 브랜드 전용 중복쿠폰과 자체 할인 혜택도 제공한다. 김은수 롯데온 브랜드마케팅팀장은 "여름휴가 준비를 마치지 못한 고객을 위해 여행과 일상에서 활용도가 높은 상품을 중심으로 구성했다"고 말했다.한편, 롯데온은 지난 21일 중소기업중앙회·한국백화점협회·한국온라인쇼핑협회가 주관한 '2026년 유통상생대회'에서 우수 상생 기업으로 선정돼 동반성장위원장 표창을 수상했다.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-28 17:50:00
  • Heat Wave Continues Tomorrow with Highs Reaching 38 Degrees in Daegu
    Heat Wave Continues Tomorrow with Highs Reaching 38 Degrees in Daegu 전국 대부분 지역에 폭염특보가 이어지는 가운데 29일에도 낮 최고기온이 38도까지 오르는 등 무더위와 열대야가 계속될 전망이다. 기상청은 29일 전국이 대체로 맑은 가운데 폭염특보가 발효된 대부분 지역에서 최고 체감온도가 33도 이상, 남부지방을 중심으로는 35도 이상까지 올라 매우 덥겠다고 28일 예보했다. 밤사이에도 기온이 25도 이상 유지되는 지역이 많아 열대야가 나타나는 곳이 많겠다. 29일 아침 최저기온은 22~26도, 낮 최고기온은 32~38도로 예상된다. 대구가 38도로 가장 높겠으며 울산과 창원은 36도, 청주 35도, 부산 35도, 서울과 수원은 33도까지 오를 전망이다. 지역별로는 서울이 오전에는 흐리다가 오후부터 맑아지겠고, 인천과 대구, 부산, 울산 등은 하루 종일 대체로 맑은 날씨를 보이겠다. 춘천은 오전과 오후 모두 구름이 많겠으며, 광주는 오후 한때 강수확률이 10%로 예보됐다. 바다의 물결은 동해와 남해 앞바다에서 0.5~1.0m, 서해 앞바다에서 0.5m로 일겠다. 안쪽 먼바다의 파고는 동해 0.5~2.0m, 서해 0.5~1.0m, 남해 0.5~1.5m로 예상된다.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-28 17:50:00
  • Heat Wave Continues Tomorrow with Highs Reaching 38 Degrees in Daegu
    Heat Wave Continues Tomorrow with Highs Reaching 38 Degrees in Daegu 전국 대부분 지역에 폭염특보가 이어지는 가운데 29일에도 낮 최고기온이 38도까지 오르는 등 무더위와 열대야가 계속될 전망이다. 기상청은 29일 전국이 대체로 맑은 가운데 폭염특보가 발효된 대부분 지역에서 최고 체감온도가 33도 이상, 남부지방을 중심으로는 35도 이상까지 올라 매우 덥겠다고 28일 예보했다. 밤사이에도 기온이 25도 이상 유지되는 지역이 많아 열대야가 나타나는 곳이 많겠다. 29일 아침 최저기온은 22~26도, 낮 최고기온은 32~38도로 예상된다. 대구가 38도로 가장 높겠으며 울산과 창원은 36도, 청주 35도, 부산 35도, 서울과 수원은 33도까지 오를 전망이다. 지역별로는 서울이 오전에는 흐리다가 오후부터 맑아지겠고, 인천과 대구, 부산, 울산 등은 하루 종일 대체로 맑은 날씨를 보이겠다. 춘천은 오전과 오후 모두 구름이 많겠으며, 광주는 오후 한때 강수확률이 10%로 예보됐다. 바다의 물결은 동해와 남해 앞바다에서 0.5~1.0m, 서해 앞바다에서 0.5m로 일겠다. 안쪽 먼바다의 파고는 동해 0.5~2.0m, 서해 0.5~1.0m, 남해 0.5~1.5m로 예상된다.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-28 17:50:00
  • Mammoth Coffee to Raise Prices on Iced Americano
    Mammoth Coffee to Raise Prices on Iced Americano Mammoth Coffee will increase the prices of its iced Americano and iced decaf Americano starting next month. However, the prices for hot Americano and large (L) size Americano will remain unchanged.On July 28, Mammoth Coffee announced that it will raise the prices of iced Americano and iced decaf Americano by 200 won each, effective August 11.As a result, the price for a small (S) iced Americano will rise from 1,200 won to 1,400 won, while the medium (M) size will increase from 1,600 won to 1,800 won. The small size of iced decaf Americano will go up from 1,900 won to 2,100 won, and the medium size will increase from 2,300 won to 2,500 won.In contrast, the prices for the basic hot Americano and large (L) iced and hot Americano will remain frozen.Mammoth Coffee cited rising ingredient costs and various operational expenses as the reasons for the price adjustment. A company representative stated, "Despite the increase in ingredient costs, we have absorbed the price hike internally to minimize the burden on customers. However, due to ongoing international instability and rising costs, we have reluctantly decided to adjust our prices."The ordering process at kiosks will also undergo some changes. Previously, customers selected Americano and then chose between hot and iced options. Going forward, hot Americano and iced Americano will be offered as separate menu items. The existing 'extra shot Americano' option will be discontinued, and customers wishing to add a shot can select it as an additional option after ordering an Americano.Meanwhile, MegaMGC Coffee raised the prices of three items in its 'Halmega Coffee' lineup by 200 won each on June 19, and The Venti increased prices on major menu items, excluding Americano, by 100 to 500 won on May 29. Earlier in March, Banapresso and Brewda Coffee also raised prices on some menu items, including decaf and cold brew.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-28 17:50:00