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  • President Yoon Reaffirms Friendship with Brazil During State Visit
    President Yoon Reaffirms Friendship with Brazil During State Visit 브라질을 국빈 방문 중인 이재명 대통령 부부가 27일(현지시간) 루이스 이나시우 룰라 다시우바 대통령 부부가 마련한 국빈 오찬과 문화공연·리셉션에 잇달아 참석했다. 룰라 대통령은 지난 2월 국빈 방한 당시 받은 환대에 보답하고 싶다는 뜻을 전하며 이 대통령 부부와 한국 대표단을 각별히 예우했다. 강유정 청와대 수석대변인의 서면 브리핑에 따르면 국빈 오찬은 공식 환영식과 소인수·확대 정상회담, 양해각서(MOU) 서명식, 공동 언론발표에 이어 진행됐다. 양 정상 부부는 시종일관 화기애애한 분위기에서 대화를 나누며 우의를 다졌다. 룰라 대통령은 오찬에서 “교육이야말로 미래를 위한 가장 중요한 투자”라며 한국의 발전과 성장은 교육을 통한 인재 양성에 기반한 것이라고 평가했다. 이어 브라질 역시 교육을 통한 인재 육성과 경제성장의 경험을 한국과 공유하면서 관련 협력을 확대하기를 희망한다고 밝혔다. 이날 오찬은 상파울루 출신으로 브라질을 대표하는 요리사인 마라 살레스가 준비했다. 살레스는 오랜 기간 브라질 전역의 식재료와 지역별 음식 문화를 연구하며 브라질 요리의 가치를 세계에 알려온 인물이다. 오찬 테이블에 놓인 메뉴 카드에도 한국 대표단을 위한 특별한 의미가 담겼다. 카드 앞면에는 진주실크 홍보대사인 이진희 디자이너가 리우데자네이루의 거대 예수상을 활용해 만든 ‘구세주 그리스도상 한복 미디어 파사드’ 작품이 실렸다. 안쪽에는 섬유예술가 제시카 유가 브라질 국기를 상징하는 색채의 천 조각을 한국 전통 보자기 기법으로 이어 만든 ‘옥사 실크 보자기’ 작품을 담았다. 브라질의 상징과 한국의 전통미를 결합해 이 대통령과 대표단에 대한 환영의 뜻을 표현한 것이다. 이 대통령 부부는 이날 저녁 브라질 외교부 이타마라치궁으로 자리를 옮겨 룰라 대통령과 잔자 여사가 주최한 문화공연과 리셉션에 참석했다. 이타마라치궁은 세계적인 건축가 오스카 니어마이어가 설계한 브라질 현대건축의 대표작이자, 브라질 외교를 상징하는 공간이라고 청와대 측은 설명했다. 약 1시간 동안 진행된 행사는 음악 공연에 이어 참석자들이 자유롭게 환담하는 순서로 구성됐다. 류진 한국경제인협회장, 정의선 현대차그룹 회장, 장인화 포스코 회장, 조원태 대한항공 회장, 박승희 삼성전자 사장, 류재철 LG전자 대표, 이동훈 SK바이오팜 대표, 정인섭 한화오션 사장, 문재영 HD건설기계 대표, 최수연 네이버 대표, 이상목 아모레퍼시픽 사장, 김병훈 에이피알 대표 등 브라질에 진출한 한국 기업인 13명도 초청됐다. 이 대통령은 양국 기업인들과 만나 이번 국빈 방문이 우리 기업의 경제협력 기반을 넓히고 새로운 시장 진출과 투자 기회를 만드는 계기가 되도록 정부가 경제외교를 통해 적극적으로 뒷받침하겠다는 뜻을 밝혔다. 문화공연은 한국과 브라질 예술가들의 협연으로 꾸며졌다. 브라질 흑인 음악을 대표하는 가수이자 작곡가인 파울라 리마와 상파울루 시립극장 합창단에서 활동하는 한국계 성악가 다니엘 리가 무대에 올랐다. 이들은 삼바와 보사노바를 비롯해 ‘이파네마의 소녀’, ‘3월의 빗물’, ‘비야 내려라’, ‘나의 우산’ 등을 선보이며 브라질의 문화적 자부심과 두 나라의 우정·연대를 표현했다. 강 수석대변인은 “공연 중간에는 다니엘 리가 한국 가요 ‘상록수’를 독창해 참석자들에게 깊은 울림을 전했다”고 했다. 상록수는 김민기가 작사·작곡하고 1979년 양희은이 부른 가요다. 룰라 대통령 부부는 지난 2월 방한 당시 한국 정부와 국민에게 받은 따뜻한 환대를 여러 차례 언급하며 먼 길을 찾아온 이 대통령 부부와 한국 대표단에 감사의 뜻을 표했다. 이 대통령 부부는 문화공연과 리셉션을 끝으로 브라질리아에서의 공식 일정을 마무리하고 상파울루로 이동했다. 강 수석대변인은 “양 정상은 이번 정상회담의 성과를 바탕으로 고위급 교류와 각급 협의체를 계속 가동하고, 공동성명과 분야별 협력 사업을 차질 없이 이행해 한·브라질 전략적 동반자 관계를 한층 심화하기로 했다”고 말했다. 2026-07-28 13:48:00
  • Korean Sports Council Appoints Kim Dae-nyeon as New Secretary General
    Korean Sports Council Appoints Kim Dae-nyeon as New Secretary General The Korean Sports Council has appointed Kim Dae-nyeon, the current chair of the Sports Council's Election Advisory Committee, as its new Secretary General.The council announced on July 28 that Kim will be appointed following consultations with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and approval from the board of directors.This marks the first time a former high-ranking public official has been selected as Secretary General of the Sports Council.Born in Gyeonggi Province in 1959, Kim is an administrative expert with over 30 years of public service experience. He has held key positions at the National Election Commission, including spokesperson, director of the Election Training Institute, head of the Management Bureau, and chief of the Planning and Management Office. He became Secretary General (ministerial level) in November 2016 and retired in September 2018.During his tenure, Kim successfully managed the 19th presidential election and the 7th nationwide local elections, overseeing all aspects of public institution operations, from organizational planning to budgeting, personnel, and external cooperation. He is recognized for his exceptional ability to find balance in complex issues while managing large organizations.Kim is also well-versed in current issues within the sports sector. He has participated in the reform processes of the Sports Council for an extended period, serving as the chair of the election management committee for the 41st and 42nd presidents of the Korean Sports Council and as chair of the election system improvement committee.A council official stated, "Despite being an external appointee, Kim has a deep understanding of the Sports Council's organizational structure, decision-making processes, and the realities of member organizations, making him an ideal candidate who can immediately handle practical matters upon taking office."The council believes that Kim's proven administrative skills and communication abilities will significantly enhance the transparency and accountability of the organization. Additionally, he is expected to play a pivotal role in stabilizing the sports administration system and leading the council's changes and innovations.Yoo Seung-min, president of the Sports Council, remarked, "Kim Dae-nyeon possesses verified administrative capabilities through his long public service career, and he has a profound understanding of the organization and the field from his time working with the Sports Council. I expect him to play a significant role in developing the council into a more transparent and trusted organization, faithfully reflecting the diverse voices from the sports field in policies and administration."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-28 13:45:00
  • Aekyung Industrial and Dong Sung Pharmaceutical Collaborate with Fudan University on Dermatology and Beauty Research
    Aekyung Industrial and Dong Sung Pharmaceutical Collaborate with Fudan University on Dermatology and Beauty Research Aekyung Industrial and Dong Sung Pharmaceutical are partnering with Fudan University’s Yangtze River Delta Research Institute to advance research and development in dermatology and beauty.On July 28, Aekyung Industrial and Dong Sung Pharmaceutical announced that they have signed a strategic memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Fudan University’s Yangtze River Delta Research Institute for collaboration in dermatology and beauty research. The dermatology department at Fudan University’s Huashan Hospital is recognized as a leading institution in China, consistently ranking first in dermatology evaluations.Through this agreement, the three institutions aim to establish a long-term cooperative framework in the fields of dermatology, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, healthcare, and the beauty industry. They plan to share their research capabilities, product development experience, and clinical research networks to explore joint research and technology commercialization opportunities.Key areas of collaboration include: joint research on skin, scalp, and hair science; research on skin and scalp data by country, region, and ethnicity; development of new raw materials, formulations, and delivery technologies; clinical trials and efficacy and safety evaluations; establishment of an AI-based skin and scalp database and analysis platform; and studies on hair loss and hair dyeing.The results of the research will be used for writing papers, filing patents, technology transfer, and commercialization. Additionally, they will explore regulatory cooperation for entering the Chinese and global markets, as well as the establishment of joint research and production facilities, joint ventures, and investment opportunities.Taekwang Group, which has incorporated Aekyung Industrial and Dong Sung Pharmaceutical as affiliates, will support the operation of the cooperative framework by identifying new collaboration projects and reviewing business structures. Aekyung Industrial CEO Kim Sang-jun stated, "We will promote joint research in various fields, including skin and scalp data and AI analysis platforms, as well as new raw materials and formulations, and connect research outcomes to differentiated product competitiveness."Meanwhile, Aekyung Industrial recently participated in 'Cosmoprof Las Vegas 2026,' showcasing a variety of products ranging from makeup to hair and body care.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-28 13:40:00
  • U.S. Strengthens 6G Cooperation with 25 Countries to Counter Chinas Tech Dominance
    U.S. Strengthens 6G Cooperation with 25 Countries to Counter China's Tech Dominance The United States is enhancing cooperation in the next-generation mobile communication sector, 6G, with South Korea, Japan, and 24 other countries. This initiative aims to counter China's growing influence in the competition over 6G frequencies and international technology standards.On July 27, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) announced the launch of the 'Call to Action for 6G Leadership and Security.'The participating countries include the U.S., South Korea, Japan, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Canada, Australia, and others.Over the next year, these nations will collaborate to enhance the security and stability of 6G networks, as well as interoperability between national and equipment systems. They will also develop strategies to ensure reliable network operations in the face of cyberattacks or disruptions. Discussions will include establishing a secure 6G supply chain.A specific timeline has been outlined. Within a month, each government will designate 6G representatives and relevant agencies. In three months, they plan to gather input from the telecommunications industry and academia. Within six months, they will discuss cooperation strategies for the 6G supply chain, and a face-to-face meeting will be held within a year to review progress.Artificial intelligence (AI) has also been identified as a key area of collaboration. The participating countries agree that trustworthy AI will play a crucial role in developing and operating a safe and innovative 6G network.Ariel Ross, NTIA Administrator, stated, "6G will be significantly different from 5G, and to secure leadership, the U.S. and its allies need a different strategy. We will work with trusted partners to reflect shared security and competitiveness in the next-generation communication network."This initiative follows a policy announced by President Donald Trump in December of last year, titled 'Winning the 6G Race.' At that time, Trump emphasized that 6G is a critical foundation for U.S. national security and economic prosperity, calling for diplomatic cooperation to secure technological leadership.While official documents do not directly mention China, Politico, a U.S. political news outlet, analyzed that this initiative aims to counter China's influence in the telecommunications sector, particularly through companies like Huawei and ZTE, and to secure allies in international discussions on 6G.The World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC-27), scheduled to take place in Shanghai, China, next year, will discuss frequency bands and usage conditions for future 6G applications. The conference is set to run from October 18 to November 12, 2027.The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) refers to 6G as 'IMT-2030.' The ITU plans to accept candidate radio technologies from February 2027 to February 2029, followed by evaluations and intergovernmental agreements, with the goal of approving related standards by around 2030.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-28 13:35:00
  • Singapore Investors Actively Purchase Hong Kong Office Properties at Half Price
    Singapore Investors Actively Purchase Hong Kong Office Properties at Half Price Singaporean investors are actively acquiring office properties in Hong Kong, according to a report by the South China Morning Post, citing data from the real estate consulting firm Colliers.Previously, mainland Chinese capital and global private equity funds dominated the Hong Kong office market, but Singaporean investments are now taking the lead. This shift is attributed to the belief that Hong Kong's real estate prices are nearing their bottom.Office prices in Hong Kong have dropped by about 50% compared to their peak in 2019. The Hong Kong office market has faced a prolonged downturn due to several factors, including the rise of remote work during the 2020 pandemic, a decrease in buying activity from Chinese capital amid economic slowdowns, layoffs and withdrawals of global financial institutions due to U.S.-China trade tensions, and an increase in new office supply. Currently, the market is experiencing high vacancy rates, with both sale prices and rental rates declining.Singaporean investors are focusing on distressed properties, purchasing them at prices below market value. Colliers noted, "Hong Kong real estate has undergone price adjustments for several years and is now at a very attractive level. At the current price point, the potential for recovery is greater than for further declines."Despite the current market stagnation, Singaporean investors believe that Hong Kong's role as a financial hub remains strong and that global companies will return to the city. Key players in this investment trend include Singapore's sovereign wealth fund, asset management firms, real estate investment companies, and ultra-high-net-worth individuals, who are reportedly planning long-term investments of over ten years rather than seeking short-term gains.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-28 13:35:00
  • Seoul weighs individual cap if leveraged ETF speculation persists
    Seoul weighs individual cap if leveraged ETF speculation persists SEOUL, July 28 (AJP) —South Korea is considering imposing an individual investment cap on single-stock leveraged exchange-traded funds (ETFs) should speculative trading persist despite recent market stabilization measures, the country's financial chief said Tuesday. Financial Services Commission Chairman Lee Eog-weon said authorities will first assess whether tighter rules taking effect Friday, including a higher minimum cash deposit requirement, are sufficient to cool speculative demand. If investor appetite remains elevated, additional measures are being prepared, he said. One proposal under review would limit investment in single-stock leveraged ETFs to no more than 20 percent of an individual's total financial investment portfolio. Authorities are also considering requiring investors to complete simulated trading, undergo periodic training and demonstrate a minimum level of investment experience before being allowed to trade the products. Lee made the remarks during a meeting with major securities firms serving as liquidity providers (LPs), including Korea Investment & Securities, NH Investment & Securities and Kiwoom Securities, as well as leading asset managers such as Samsung Asset Management, Mirae Asset Global Investments, KB Asset Management and Shinhan Asset Management. He also urged asset managers to spread ETF rebalancing trades more evenly throughout the trading day rather than concentrating orders near the market close, saying end-of-day rebalancing has amplified market volatility. "While rebalancing earlier in the trading day could increase tracking error or return uncertainty, it could also reduce closing-price volatility, curb front-running and lower operational risks," Lee said. Turning to liquidity providers, Lee noted that some single-stock leveraged ETFs have attracted more than 20 LPs, fueling trading among LPs themselves and increasing arbitrage activity. Rather than introducing prescriptive regulations, authorities expect liquidity providers to reduce unnecessary trading by adjusting the size, frequency and timing of their quotes within existing pricing parameters, he said. The meeting followed the FSC's July 16 package of market stabilization measures aimed at reducing volatility in single-stock leveraged ETFs. The package suspended new product launches and advertising, moved forward the introduction of a 30 million won ($21,000) minimum cash deposit requirement to July 31, strengthened mandatory investor education with tougher assessments and an additional one-hour training session, and tightened rules governing ETF price deviations, which are scheduled to take effect on Aug. 19. Lee said the measures were introduced after demand for the products grew far faster than expected as volatility in semiconductor stocks intensified following the launch of single-stock leveraged ETFs, fueling speculative trading and sharp swings in the broader market. 2026-07-28 13:28:46
  • SM Groups Samhwan Corporation Wins 1.3 Trillion Won Contract for Mihocheon Bridge Renovation
    SM Group's Samhwan Corporation Wins 1.3 Trillion Won Contract for Mihocheon Bridge Renovation Samhwan Corporation, a subsidiary of SM Group, has secured a contract worth 1.3 trillion won for the renovation of the Mihocheon Bridge. The company has been expanding its public infrastructure projects, with its order backlog surpassing 1 trillion won. On July 28, SM Group announced that Samhwan Corporation was selected as the winning bidder for the renovation of the Mihocheon Bridge, located on the Gyeongbu Line between Jochiwon and Naepan in Cheongju, North Chungcheong Province. This project involves the demolition of the existing single-track Mihocheon Bridge, which was completed in 1938 and spans 440 meters, and the construction of a new double-track bridge. The total project cost is 1.3 trillion won, with Samhwan Corporation holding a 70% stake. The company anticipates that securing additional public contracts, which offer relatively stable revenue, will positively impact its future performance. As infrastructure improvement projects for aging bridges and roads expand, Samhwan Corporation's expertise in civil engineering has also gained attention. In recent years, Samhwan Corporation has undertaken various public projects, including the renovation of the Leeon Bridge (254 billion won), the Noan Bridge (278 billion won), noise barriers in Yongin-Seoul (367 billion won), noise barriers in Namsa-Dongtan (440 billion won), road construction in Nongsogangdong (1.137 trillion won), and the Shinnae apartment complex (1.518 trillion won). Including the Mihocheon Bridge project, the total value of public contracts awarded to Samhwan Corporation over the past two years has reached 504.9 billion won. The overall order backlog has also exceeded 1.143 trillion won. In addition to civil engineering projects, the company is pursuing its own housing developments, including the Gyeongnam Honorsville in Ulsan and the Seoho District in Suwon. A representative from Samhwan Corporation stated, "We are pursuing balanced growth in profitability by simultaneously engaging in civil engineering projects and our own construction projects, such as housing sales. We will continue to manage our operations with a focus on revenue stability while responding to changes and risks in the construction industry." SM Group's construction division comprises 12 subsidiaries, including Kyungnam Construction, Dong-A Construction Industry, Samhwan Corporation, Woobang, Samra, TK Chemical Construction Division, SM Shipping Construction Division, Taegil General Construction, SM High Plus Construction Division, SM Heavy Industries Construction Division, Handuk Iron and Steel Industry Construction Division, and STX Construction.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-28 13:25:00
  • Nvidia Bets $5 Billion on Ilya Sutskevers Safe Superintelligence
    Nvidia Bets $5 Billion on Ilya Sutskever's Safe Superintelligence Nvidia is set to invest $5 billion in Safe Superintelligence (SSI), an artificial intelligence startup founded by OpenAI co-founder Ilya Sutskever. Nvidia and SSI announced a long-term partnership on July 27. While the specific investment amount was not disclosed, sources cited by the Financial Times and Reuters indicated that Nvidia's stake in SSI would be worth $5 billion. As part of the agreement, SSI will implement Nvidia's next-generation AI computing system, 'Vera Rubin.' According to the Financial Times, SSI plans to increase its computing capabilities for AI research tenfold over the next year using this system. The two companies will also collaborate on the development of Nvidia's current and future computing systems, utilizing the technical insights gained from SSI's AI research to inform Nvidia's upcoming system designs. Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang expressed optimism, stating, "I expect SSI to achieve new technological breakthroughs based on Vera Rubin." SSI, co-founded by Sutskever after he left OpenAI in 2024, aims to develop AI with intelligence surpassing that of humans in a safe manner. The name 'Safe Superintelligence' reflects this goal. Although SSI has not yet released any products or specific research results and has a small team of several dozen employees, it secured an additional $2 billion in funding last year, bringing its valuation to $32 billion. Major investors include Andreessen Horowitz, Sequoia Capital, DST Global, and Greenoaks. Sutskever, a co-founder and former chief scientist at OpenAI, led research on the GPT series of AI models. In 2012, he co-developed the image recognition AI model 'AlexNet' with Professor Geoffrey Hinton and Alex Krizhevsky. The Wall Street Journal noted that this partnership could help Nvidia secure prominent AI research firms as clients and counter competitors in AI semiconductors, such as Google. SSI has primarily used Google's Tensor Processing Units (TPUs) for its AI projects. In March, Nvidia also invested in Thinking Machines Lab, founded by former OpenAI CTO Mira Murati. The two companies have established a long-term partnership to supply and build a Vera Rubin system with a capacity of at least 1 gigawatt.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-28 13:20:00
  • Elegant Youths Seek Reports of Safe and Kind Delivery Riders
    Elegant Youths Seek Reports of Safe and Kind Delivery Riders Elegant Youths, responsible for the logistics services of Baedal Minjok, announced on July 28 that they are conducting a reporting event to find delivery riders who practice road safety or perform acts of kindness.The focus of the reports is on riders who practice 'pulling a bike' (끌바) by walking their motorcycles across crosswalks or help others in their daily lives.Selected videos will be featured in the 'Warm Black Box' shorts series on the Baemin Connect YouTube channel, showcasing the riders' good deeds. Reporters of the selected videos will receive a 100,000 won gift certificate for GS Caltex gas. Additionally, those who report on special heroes will receive popular helmet cameras (black boxes) and Bluetooth devices for helmets.As part of this event, Elegant Youths will actively seek out riders practicing 'pulling a bike' on the streets. Riders captured crossing a crosswalk with their motorcycle completely turned off will receive a surprise gift of the PCX125, a highly favored motorcycle model among riders.Earlier, on July 22, Elegant Youths conducted safety training for Baemin Connect riders who had experienced safety incidents.An Elegant Youths representative stated, 'There are many riders who quietly practice safety and help those around them. We hope that examples of safety and kindness become widely known, leading to a warmer perception of riders and the spread of a safe road culture.'* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-28 12:50:00
  • Jang Dong-hyuk: Candidates Must Be Able to Fight for the People
    Jang Dong-hyuk: Candidates Must Be Able to Fight for the People Jang Dong-hyuk, the leader of the People Power Party, stated that candidates for elected office should be able to effectively advocate for the government and ruling party on behalf of the public.Speaking at the appointment ceremony for the 'Task Force for Evaluating Elected Officials' held at the National Assembly on July 28, Jang emphasized the need to nominate individuals who dedicate their expertise and abilities to serve the public and party members, rather than getting caught up in factional politics or internal party conflicts.Given that this task force is responsible for establishing evaluation criteria for incumbent lawmakers, Jang's remarks can be seen as a warning to non-mainstream party members. He has also voiced clear opposition to the 'parliament-centered party theory' that has been discussed primarily among non-mainstream factions."If you want to eliminate the party leader and shift to a parliament-centered party, then at least 50% of the selection process for the floor leader should reflect the opinions of party members," he said. "If the call to exclude the party leader from nominations stems from self-serving interests, that is a misguided notion."Jang urged Jeong Hee-yong, the chair of the task force, and other committee members to create a system where capable individuals can receive nominations. He stressed that the opinions of party members must be significantly included in the evaluation of public officials, stating, "That is the path to becoming a member-focused party."The task force launched on this day is designed to completely overhaul the party's evaluation system for elected officials. While it will not directly conduct evaluations, its influence is expected to be significant as the evaluation system will likely lead to tangible outcomes.Chair Jeong emphasized the importance of gathering a wide range of opinions from lawmakers, local party committee chairs, and party members, stating, "If necessary, we will also incorporate the views of external experts to ensure professionalism and objectivity."The task force consists of eight members, including Chair Jeong, lawmakers Kang Dae-sik, Kim Seung-soo, Jeong Dong-man, Seo Cheon-ho, and former central party nomination committee members Ham In-kyung and Lee Dong-geon, as well as Lee Sang-wook from the Special Committee for Strengthening Organization.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-28 12:20:00