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  • South Korea Leads Development of International Standards for Manufacturing Digital Twins
    South Korea Leads Development of International Standards for Manufacturing Digital Twins South Korea has officially published two international standards for manufacturing digital twins through the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). These standards establish guidelines for connecting product, equipment, and process data from manufacturing sites into virtual models, allowing for the integration of multiple digital twins to expand at the production line and factory level. This is expected to facilitate the spread of autonomous manufacturing and the transition to manufacturing artificial intelligence (AI).The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy announced on July 28 that the two international standards for manufacturing digital twins proposed by South Korea have been officially published by ISO. Digital twins are technologies that create digital virtual models of actual products, equipment, processes, and factories to verify real-world conditions and predict issues for optimized operations.South Korea has been at the forefront of international standardization for manufacturing digital twins, contributing to the establishment of standards for the principles, reference structures, information representation, and information exchange of digital twins. The newly published standards are ISO 23247-5 and ISO 23247-6, which include methods for connecting and utilizing digital twins for specific purposes.ISO 23247-5 outlines the data connection standards for digital twins. It enables the integration of information from various manufacturing stages, such as product design, production processes, equipment status, and inspection results, into a single flow, allowing for the identification and utilization of necessary data. When specific quality issues arise, it facilitates the tracking and analysis of design information, production conditions, equipment history, and inspection data.ISO 23247-6 presents the standards for combining digital twins. It describes how to integrate smaller digital twins of products, equipment, and processes like building blocks to create complex digital twins at the production line or factory level.This standard was proposed by the Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute (ETRI) with government support, based on domestic technology. Global companies and institutions from the United States and Sweden also participated in the discussions. This signifies that South Korea's manufacturing digital twin technology has secured a foundation for international applicability. While the effectiveness of digital twins is limited when confined to individual equipment or processes, connecting data and combining multiple twins is essential for optimizing entire factories and expanding into autonomous manufacturing.Kim Dae-ja, head of the National Institute of Technology and Standards, stated, "With the publication of this international standard, our domestic digital twin technology has been reflected in international standards, ensuring its global applicability. We will actively support standard development activities in collaboration with industry, academia, and research institutions to facilitate the rapid spread of AI transformation in domestic manufacturing."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-28 11:05:00
  • Election Officials Summoned Over Ballot Shortage Incident in Songpa
    Election Officials Summoned Over Ballot Shortage Incident in Songpa Two officials from the Songpa District Election Commission are being summoned on charges of neglect related to the ballot shortage incident during the June 3 local elections.The joint investigation team, led by Kim Tae-hoon, deputy chief prosecutor of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office, announced on July 28 that they will question Election Officer A and Election Section Chief B as suspects in the case.The officials are accused of failing to take preventive measures despite being aware that a ballot shortage could occur at a specific polling station. They also allegedly ignored requests for additional ballots from polling stations and did not respond promptly.These individuals were identified as suspects during the investigation process initiated by the joint team, marking the first time direct suspects have been summoned for questioning.Previously, the joint team had investigated election commission officials who were reported for their roles in the incident.The investigation has also uncovered evidence of a single ballot serial number being duplicated on two ballots at polling stations under the Songpa District Election Commission.Additionally, two officials from the National Election Commission are scheduled to be questioned as witnesses regarding allegations of overseas trips for personal gain by former Chairman Noh Tae-ak.The joint team continues to conduct searches of the National Election Commission's servers related to the alleged manipulation of voting statistics. They have discovered that staff responsible for managing local polling stations during the recent elections allegedly altered statistical figures to conceal errors in voter counts.Instead of reporting errors to superiors and following proper procedures for corrections, these staff members reportedly manipulated the statistics by entering false numbers.As part of the investigation, the joint team has been conducting searches since July 23 at the National Election Commission's headquarters in Gwacheon and the Songpa, Gangnam, and Seocho district election commissions to gather relevant materials.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-28 11:05:00
  • Seoul Bar Association and Seoul Korean Medicine Association Sign MOU for Collaboration
    Seoul Bar Association and Seoul Korean Medicine Association Sign MOU for Collaboration The Seoul Bar Association, led by President Jo Soon-yeol, announced on July 28 that it signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Seoul Korean Medicine Association, headed by President Park Sung-woo, on July 27 at 3 p.m. in the conference room of the Bar Association building. The agreement aims to enhance cooperation and address medical and legal risks.As public awareness of rights increases and the medical environment evolves, legal issues related to healthcare are becoming more diverse and complex. In response to these changes, the Seoul Bar Association and the Seoul Korean Medicine Association have agreed to establish a collaborative framework based on their expertise and experience, providing more professional and reliable services to the public.The signing ceremony was attended by key figures from both organizations, including Jo Soon-yeol, Vice President Kim Ki-won, Vice President Kim Su-jin, and Secretary General Jin Si-ho from the Seoul Bar Association, as well as Park Sung-woo, Vice President Kim Min-soo, Vice President Kwak Do-won, and Planning & Legal Affairs Director Kim Do-dam from the Seoul Korean Medicine Association. They shared the significance of this collaboration and agreed to pursue multifaceted cooperation.Under the MOU, the two organizations will work on several initiatives, including: the establishment of an expert network for mutual consultation, educational programs and special lectures to enhance expertise, joint seminars on current issues, the creation of a cooperative framework for reasonable resolutions of medical disputes, collaboration to prevent illegal activities in the medical and legal service sectors, and joint projects to protect professional fields.The Seoul Bar Association plans to maintain ongoing communication and collaboration with the Seoul Korean Medicine Association, establishing a model of exemplary cooperation among professional organizations to actively promote various initiatives aimed at enhancing citizens' rights and realizing public interest.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-28 11:05:00
  • Ottogi Launches Curry Con Ball in Collaboration with Weepun
    Ottogi Launches 'Curry Con Ball' in Collaboration with Weepun Ottogi is targeting the corporate snack market with the launch of its new product, 'Curry Con Ball,' in collaboration with Weepun, a BaaS (Business as a Service) platform that operates Snack24. The announcement was made on July 28.This partnership aims to expand B2B (business-to-business) sales channels by utilizing Weepun's corporate distribution network. The Curry Con Ball will primarily be supplied to office pantries and cafeterias.The Curry Con Ball is designed to capture the flavor of 'Ottogi Curry' in snack form. Coated with curry seasoning for a rich taste, it has been developed to be mild enough for all ages to enjoy. The ball shape provides a crispy texture, and it is packaged in a convenient 30g size for easy storage in office pantries.Consumers can purchase the product through the Naver Smart Store 'Snack24 Market.' Ottogi plans to expand its sales channels to include personal convenience stores in the future.An Ottogi representative stated, "This product was designed to allow consumers to enjoy our flagship Ottogi Curry in a unique form. We plan to introduce new products through various collaborations in the future."Weepun, established in 2018, is a B2B service platform that started with the Snack24 office snack subscription service and now offers breakfast, lunch subscriptions, coffee, and catering services for businesses.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-28 11:05:00
  • Samsung Redefines Foldable Design with Galaxy Z Fold8 Inspired by Passport
    Samsung Redefines Foldable Design with Galaxy Z Fold8 Inspired by Passport "Design is not just about creating the product's exterior. It involves planning every moment of using the product, from opening it to holding it in your hand," said Lee Il-hwan, Vice President and Head of the Design Team at Samsung Electronics MX Division, during a Galaxy design briefing held in London on July 23. He defined the core value of the 8th generation Galaxy foldable phone design as 'comfort,' emphasizing the importance of reducing thickness and weight, as well as redesigning the entire user experience from opening and closing the device to the tactile sensation and viewing experience. "Comfort cannot be measured in specifications like gigabytes or megapixels; what matters is how the user feels when holding it," he stressed. Lee noted that user needs have become increasingly segmented over seven generations of foldable innovation. In response, the Galaxy Z8 series has expanded its lineup to cater to different user experiences: the 'Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra' focuses on productivity and multitasking, the 'Galaxy Z Flip8' emphasizes portability and self-expression, and the 'Galaxy Z Fold8' is optimized for content consumption and web browsing. He explained, "As the values expected from foldables diversify into productivity and portability, a single product cannot satisfy all users. We have refined the roles of each product based on user data and experiences accumulated over the past seven generations." Notably, the newly introduced wide foldable phone, the 'Fold8,' draws design inspiration from passports. It focuses on characteristics such as size that fits into a jacket pocket, ease of turning pages with one hand, and ergonomic proportions that display information at a glance. To achieve a balance between one-handed usability and immersive large-screen experience, over 500 prototypes were created for hands-on comparison. Various prototypes with different sizes, ratios, and corner curvatures were displayed at the briefing. Based on this, the Fold8 is designed with a 16:10 ratio for one-handed use when closed and a 4:3 ratio for optimal content viewing and web browsing when opened. Lee stated, "Our goal was to enhance portability when closed while providing the best viewing experience when opened. We determined the ratios through extensive validation to balance the cover and main screens." The Fold8 Ultra features an 'Emotive Slim' design that emphasizes a thin feel when held. When opened, it measures 4.1 millimeters thick, making it the thinnest Galaxy foldable to date. Samsung focused on refining the side frame and outer silhouette to ensure users feel it is thinner and more comfortable than mere numbers suggest. The side frame, where fingers touch, has a gentle slope for easy opening, and the outer curvature has been adjusted to enhance grip. The hinge tension is designed to allow the device to close naturally at specific angles. Lee emphasized, "A key criterion for foldable satisfaction is how easily it can be opened and closed, with comfort at the core of usability." The camera maintains the signature linear array and oval shape of Galaxy devices while unifying the materials of the rear glass and camera island. This design choice reduces visual complexity by integrating the camera into the product design rather than treating it as a separate component. Color choices reflect the target user demographics for each product. The Fold8 Ultra showcases a sophisticated and modern 'Violet Shadow,' the Fold8 features a calm lavender, and the Flip8 is represented by a vibrant pink. Notably, the lavender color was inspired by a 'comfortable Saturday afternoon,' achieving a fresh feel while lowering saturation. The design philosophy of comfort also extends to the Galaxy Watch series. It maintains a cushion design where a round screen is enveloped by a square body, enhancing the integration of the screen, bezel, and body. The band incorporates an air pocket structure and high-performance silicone material, reducing weight by 25% while improving breathability and comfort. Samsung analyzed over 100 million user wrist data using artificial intelligence (AI) and conducted approximately 10,000 simulations to validate band comfort. Lee remarked, "If smartphones are products experienced in hand, watches only realize their value when worn. Designing for every moment of product use is the direction of Samsung's design." * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-28 11:00:00
  • Special Prosecutors Investigate Former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun
    Special Prosecutors Investigate Former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun The second special investigation team, led by Special Prosecutor Kwon Chang-young, has begun an inquiry into former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun regarding the so-called 'Noh Sang-won notebook.'On the morning of July 28, the special prosecutors visited the Seoul Eastern Detention Center to question Kim, who is under investigation for conspiracy to commit murder for insurrection.Kim is accused of conspiring with former Army Intelligence Commander Noh Sang-won to eliminate opposition figures, including prominent politicians, during the planning and preparation of the 12·3 martial law.Noh allegedly listed names of 'A-level' targets in the notebook, including President Lee Jae-myung, former President Moon Jae-in, former Supreme Court Chief Justice Kim Myung-soo, and former Constitutional Court Justice Kwon Soon-il.The notebook also contained notes on measures regarding these individuals, such as 'establishing a collection facility in Yeonpyeong' and 'moving to Yeonpyeong to raise security awareness.'The special prosecutors are pressing Kim to clarify whether the contents of Noh's notebook went beyond mere ideas and whether he directed or received reports on actual plans or preparations.Initially, the special prosecutors had planned to summon Kim for questioning on July 19, but the meeting was canceled after Kim's side did not comply.Previously, the insurrection special investigation team, led by Special Prosecutor Jo Eun-seok, also viewed the notebook as key evidence of the insurrection plan but could not clarify the specifics of its creation due to Noh's silence.Noh has either refused to testify before the special prosecutors or in court, claiming that the notes were merely a record of simple ideas.The comprehensive special investigation team, which took over the case, has identified the Marine Corps facility in Yeonpyeong as the 'collection facility' but is reportedly still facing challenges in proving the allegations.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-28 11:00:00
  • Popular Webtoon Sangnamja to be Adapted into Disney+ Series
    Popular Webtoon 'Sangnamja' to be Adapted into Disney+ Series 인기 네이버웹툰 '상남자'가 디즈니+ 시리즈로 제작된다. 디즈니+는 '상남자'의 공개를 확정하고 캐스팅 라인업을 공개했다. '상남자'는 오로지 성공만을 좇아 대기업 최고경영자 자리에 올랐지만 하루아침에 모든 것을 잃은 한 남자가 20년 전 신입사원 시절로 돌아가 인생을 다시 개척해 나가는 오피스 회귀물이다. 원작은 김태궁 작가의 동명 웹소설이다. 2020년 웹툰화돼 네이버웹툰에서 공개됐으며, 글로벌 누적 조회 수 4억7000만회를 돌파했다. 영어, 일본어, 인도네시아어, 태국어 등 다양한 언어로 번역돼 해외 독자들과도 만나왔다. 박정민은 주인공 한유현 역을 맡는다. 한유현은 뛰어난 실행력과 현장 감각을 바탕으로 평사원에서 최연소 최고경영자 자리까지 오르지만 모든 것을 잃게 되는 인물이다. 이후 우연한 계기로 20년 전 신입사원 시절로 돌아가 후회로 가득했던 과거를 바로잡고 새로운 결말을 향해 나아간다. 한유현이 다시 합류하는 한성전자 상품기획팀 4파트에는 배성우, 김지현, 정문성, 문상훈, 김민이 함께한다. 배성우는 무심한 겉모습 뒤 날카로운 통찰력을 지닌 김현민 차장 역을 맡는다. 김지현은 일과 가정을 병행하면서도 흐트러짐 없는 완벽주의자 최민희 과장으로 분한다. 정문성은 신중한 분석력과 끈기를 갖춘 엔지니어 출신 김영길 대리를 연기한다. 문상훈은 유현의 사수이자 누구보다 성실하지만 결과는 따라주지 않는 박승우 대리 역을 맡아 박정민과 호흡을 맞춘다. 김민은 도움이 필요한 곳이라면 어디든 달려가는 열정 가득한 사원 이찬호 역으로 합류한다. 대기업 내부의 정치 싸움과 갈등을 이끌 인물들도 라인업에 이름을 올렸다. 이정은은 상품기획팀 상무이자 조직 내 막강한 영향력을 지닌 조찬영 역을 맡는다. 조찬영 상무의 비서 이애린 역은 김설현이 특별 출연한다. 김대명은 유현과 날카롭게 대립하는 영업팀 이경훈 부장 역으로 분한다. 이상이는 유현의 입사 동기이자 현재의 유현에게 지울 수 없는 상처와 후회를 남기는 권세중 역을 맡는다. 이광수는 한유현이 가장 경계하고 두려워하는 신경수 이사장 역으로 특별 출연한다. 연출은 '조명가게'를 선보인 김희원 감독이 맡는다. 김희원 감독은 '조명가게'로 제61회 백상예술대상 TV부문 연출상 후보에 오른 바 있다. 김희원 감독은 "정말 많은 준비를 했다. 이 자리에 있는 모든 분들이 행복하게 작업할 수 있도록 노력하고 있다"며 "모두가 웃으면서 즐겁게 촬영을 마무리했으면 좋겠다"고 전했다. 제작은 '중증외상센터', '정년이', '비질란테' 등을 제작한 스튜디오N이 맡는다.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-28 10:55:00
  • Kona I, Q2 Net Profit Rises 42.5% to 22.2 Billion Won
    Kona I, Q2 Net Profit Rises 42.5% to 22.2 Billion Won Global fintech company Kona I reported a net profit of 22.2 billion won for the second quarter of this year, marking a 42.5% increase compared to the same period last year, the company announced on July 28.During the same period, revenue reached 84.1 billion won, and operating profit was 21.4 billion won, reflecting increases of 25.1% and 24.3%, respectively.For the first half of the year, cumulative revenue totaled 161 billion won, with operating profit at 46.2 billion won and net profit at 45.6 billion won, representing increases of 28.3%, 54.5%, and 85.5% compared to the same period last year.The growth of the payment platform business has driven the improvement in performance. Kona I's payment support for local governments affected by high oil prices was 34%, double the national average of 17%. Following the distribution of support funds, the average monthly payment amount in local currency also nearly doubled.The overseas metal card business continued to grow, securing new clients in the United States. Revenue from overseas metal cards increased by 9.7% compared to the same period last year. Kona I expects further growth in the second half of the year, which typically sees concentrated volume.The new budget mobile service 'MONA' has surpassed 130,000 subscribers. The average churn rate for the first half of the year improved to 3.5%, down from 4.3% for the entire previous year, and the supply of USIM cards increased by approximately 4.5 times compared to the previous quarter, contributing to performance.A Kona I representative stated, "This year, we paid the performance bonuses for the first half in the second quarter. Without this expense, the growth in profit would have been even greater."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-28 10:55:00
  • Proposed Law Targets AI-Generated Pornography Amid Controversy Over Penalties
    Proposed Law Targets AI-Generated Pornography Amid Controversy Over Penalties A proposed law that includes virtual sexual videos created by AI as punishable offenses has sparked a heated debate in the National Assembly. Critics are particularly concerned about the inclusion of penalties for not only producers but also for mere possession and viewing, with many arguing that the proposed sentences are excessive.According to the National Assembly's legislative information system, on July 27, Representative Heo Young of the Democratic Party and others introduced an amendment to the Special Act on the Punishment of Sexual Violence Crimes.The bill, co-sponsored by Representatives Heo Young, Kim Byeong-ki, Hong Gi-won, So Byeong-hoon, Park Sang-hyuk, Kim Tae-seon, Han Min-soo, Park Yong-gap, Jeong Jin-wook, and independent lawmaker Choi Hyuk-jin, specifies that AI-generated sexual videos, regardless of whether they depict real individuals, will be subject to punishment.Notably, the newly established Article 14-4 states that those who produce, distribute, sell, or disseminate AI-generated sexual videos could face up to seven years in prison or fines. Additionally, those who merely possess or view such content could face up to three years in prison or fines.As news of the bill spread online, many users expressed agreement on the need to address AI-related sexual crimes but criticized the severity of the proposed penalties. Comments included, "You can get less than seven years for killing someone if it's a first offense and an accidental crime," and "Prostitution carries a sentence of less than a year; is this really fair?" Others remarked, "It seems like the law exists to torment the public," and questioned, "If it's a virtual character, who is the victim and who is the perpetrator?" Some even noted, "China doesn't have laws this harsh," and criticized the idea of a seven-year sentence for digital data as excessive.However, the amendment is still in the review stage in the National Assembly, and its final approval will depend on further deliberations in the relevant committees.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-28 10:50:00
  • Nvidia Partners with SK Group and OpenAI on $750 Billion AI Deal Amid Circular Trade Concerns
    Nvidia Partners with SK Group and OpenAI on $750 Billion AI Deal Amid Circular Trade Concerns Nvidia is pursuing over $750 billion in artificial intelligence (AI) related deals with SK Group and OpenAI, reigniting concerns over 'circular trading.'According to Bloomberg on July 27, Nvidia announced that its collaboration with SK Group is expected to exceed $500 billion in mutual transactions.This includes memory semiconductors purchased from SK Hynix and supercomputers that SK Group will implement. Nvidia plans to support SK Hynix's next-generation high-bandwidth memory (HBM) design to ensure a stable supply chain for AI semiconductor memory.The two companies will also establish AI data centers in South Korea with a capacity exceeding 2 gigawatts (GW), enough to power approximately 1.5 million households. The first 'AI Factory' being built by SK Telecom is set to begin operations next year.Nvidia is also discussing a large financial transaction to support OpenAI's U.S. data center operations. This plan includes providing up to $250 billion in guarantees to allow OpenAI to lease a $500 billion data center hub being developed by SoftBank Group's subsidiary, SB Energy, in Ohio.Additionally, Nvidia is reportedly negotiating to provide up to $350 billion in funding to enable OpenAI to purchase its semiconductors for this project.Concerns Over Circular TradingHowever, the market is focusing on Nvidia's structure of investing in or providing financing to customers who purchase its products. This could create a so-called 'circular trading' structure, where companies supported by Nvidia buy its semiconductors, intertwining investment and demand.Critics argue that such transactions could distort actual AI demand and inflate the value of related companies. If AI firms fail to generate expected profits, investments, borrowing, data center construction, and semiconductor purchases could simultaneously decline, leading to losses across the industry.Gary Tan, a portfolio manager at Allspring Global Investments, stated, "Nvidia's investments and partnerships strengthen confidence in the long-term expansion of AI infrastructure, but investors remain concerned about the circular trading structure. Funds are increasingly being used to support future AI customers and infrastructure development."Amid these concerns, Nvidia's stock fell 5% to close at $196.51 on the New York Stock Exchange, marking its largest single-day drop since June 5. Nvidia also ceded its position as the world's most valuable company to Apple.The credit default swap (CDS) premium reflecting Nvidia's default risk surged to a record high, rising by as much as 0.14 percentage points to 0.82% annually.Mandip Singh, an analyst at Bloomberg Intelligence, noted, "Nvidia wants to ensure that AI infrastructure investments continue at the current pace. A halt in investments for just six months could pose significant risks for Nvidia."Nvidia is also reported to have committed to investing $5 billion in SafeSuperintelligence (SSI), co-founded by former OpenAI chief scientist Ilya Sutskever. Additionally, it plans to invest $1 billion in an AI data center being constructed by Naver in South Korea to support a threefold expansion of its capacity.Excluding the new deal Nvidia is discussing with OpenAI, the total value of similar investments and collaborations announced this year exceeds $540 billion. Data center operators such as CoreWeave, IREN, and Nebulous Group are also included among the investment targets.Billy Leung, an investment strategist at Global X Management, remarked, "If Nvidia further guarantees OpenAI's data center debt, it will reinforce the already controversial financing structure for suppliers. This is both a signal of AI demand and a case revealing the financial pressures in the process of building AI infrastructure."Meanwhile, Jensen Huang, CEO of Nvidia, dismissed the notion that the company's deals constitute circular trading. In January, regarding the investment in CoreWeave, Huang stated, "The amount Nvidia invests is a tiny fraction of the total funds that the company ultimately needs to raise. To view this as circular trading is absurd."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-28 10:45:00