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  • Jung Jeom-sik Calls for Leniency in Disciplinary Action Against Kwon Young-jin
    Jung Jeom-sik Calls for Leniency in Disciplinary Action Against Kwon Young-jin Jung Jeom-sik, the floor leader of the People Power Party, expressed on July 28 his hope for leniency regarding disciplinary action against Kwon Young-jin, who grabbed Jung's collar during a dispute over the allocation criteria for the National Assembly's standing committees. Jung stated, "It is difficult to evaluate after the Ethics Committee has initiated disciplinary procedures," while appearing on SBS Radio's 'Kim Tae-hyun's Political Show.'Jung noted that Kwon had officially apologized, which he personally accepted. He commented on the Supreme Council's suggestion for the highest level of discipline, including expulsion, saying, "I personally hope for leniency. How can we talk about expelling a member of our assembly?"Regarding the Ethics Committee's initiation of disciplinary procedures against Kwon, Jung mentioned, "If asked for my opinion as a victim, I would express it. It is also important to consider the opinion of former floor leader Song Eon-seok, who was also grabbed by Kwon at the time."On the first trial ruling against former President Yoon Suk-yeol, who received a suspended prison sentence for disseminating false information, Jung remarked, "This is just the first trial. There are still the second and third trials to come," adding that the legal principles surrounding the crime of disseminating false information are quite complex.He further stated, "The Democratic Party is more problematic," referring to the case of Lee Jae-myung, who was convicted in the first trial, acquitted in the second, and had his case sent back for retrial with a guilty intent. Jung urged the courts to expedite the five ongoing trials against President Lee.In response to the Democratic Party's plan to address the abolition of supplementary investigation rights in the upcoming plenary session on July 30, Jung argued, "The Democratic Party has already established a firm stance on the prosecution's right to initiate investigations. Even if they make a concession, they must ultimately recognize supplementary investigation rights for cases referred by judicial police officers."He warned that failing to recognize supplementary investigation rights for referred cases would limit prosecutors to merely acting as preliminary judges, unable to decide whether to forward cases. Jung expressed concern that if only the right to request supplementary investigations is asserted, it could lead to issues such as case delays, prolonged processing, and inadequate victim relief, ultimately harming the public.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-28 09:28:00
  • Israel Sets Demands for Trump Meeting, Including Irans Uranium Removal
    Israel Sets Demands for Trump Meeting, Including Iran's Uranium Removal Israel has reportedly outlined key demands for its upcoming meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump, focusing on the complete removal of enriched uranium from Iran and ensuring freedom for military operations in the region.According to Israel's N12 broadcast on July 27, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and security officials recently convened to discuss the requirements they plan to present during the summit with Trump.The primary condition Israel is emphasizing is the total export of Iran's enriched uranium. Israeli security officials have stated that they cannot accept any compromise on this issue, insisting that no enriched uranium should remain in Iran.Israel is also expected to demand independent military operation authority to eliminate security threats not only from Iran but also from Gaza, Syria, and Lebanon. This reflects Israel's stance that any agreement between the U.S. and Iran should not restrict its military actions. N12 reported that the freedom to conduct operations is a core element of Israel's new security strategy.Maintaining a buffer zone along the Syria-Lebanon border is also included in Israel's red lines. Israeli security officials anticipate strong international pressure for withdrawal from the area but maintain that the buffer zone is essential for blocking threats in border regions.Another significant demand is to preserve Israel's technological superiority. Concerns have grown within Israel regarding the potential sale of F-35 stealth fighters to Turkey by the U.S., which could undermine its military and technological edge in the region.Israel is expected to stress that U.S. arms sales should not compromise its military and technological superiority in the Middle East.Israeli security officials are also preparing for the possibility that negotiations between the U.S. and Iran may collapse or yield little success. They do not have high expectations for a successful outcome and are maintaining a high level of alert in case the situation deteriorates rapidly, according to N12.Meanwhile, Netanyahu has arrived in the U.S. and plans to meet with President Trump at 11 a.m. local time on July 29.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-28 09:16:00
  • Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix Shares Plunge 6-8% Amid Market Concerns
    Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix Shares Plunge 6-8% Amid Market Concerns Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix both saw their shares drop by 6-8% in early trading. This decline follows a weak performance of U.S. semiconductor stocks and concerns over China's semiconductor equipment development and ongoing investment controversies surrounding Nvidia, which have dampened investor sentiment.As of 9:08 a.m. on the Korea Exchange, Samsung Electronics was trading at 237,000 won, down 6.69% from the previous trading day, while SK Hynix fell 8.92% to 1,654,000 won.Despite a favorable macroeconomic environment in the U.S. stock market, driven by expectations of negotiations between the U.S. and Iran leading to lower oil prices and bond yields, semiconductor stocks remained weak. Nvidia's shares fell by 5%, ASML dropped 5.8%, Micron decreased by 2.3%, and SanDisk plummeted by 11%.Market analysts suggest that news of Chinese companies developing DUV (Deep Ultraviolet) lithography equipment has raised concerns about the overall semiconductor sector. If Chinese memory manufacturers adopt domestic DUV equipment, it could alleviate supply bottlenecks and expand production capacity, intensifying global memory competition.However, industry experts note that the manufacturers and performance specifications of the new equipment have not been clearly disclosed, and initial production volumes are limited, indicating that the technological gap with ASML remains significant.The ongoing investment controversy surrounding Nvidia is also cited as a factor contributing to weakened investor sentiment. Questions about the sustainability of investments within the AI ecosystem have led to profit-taking across AI and semiconductor-related stocks.Han Ji-young, a researcher at Kiwoom Securities, stated, "Since July, semiconductor stocks have undergone significant corrections, leading to weakened investor sentiment. The market is reacting sensitively to news about Chinese DUV equipment production. In the short term, volatility may continue due to competition issues from China and the investment controversy, but mid-week earnings reports from domestic semiconductor firms and U.S. hyperscalers could provide a turning point."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-28 09:16:00
  • China Achieves Domestic Production of Key DUV Lithography Equipment
    China Achieves Domestic Production of Key DUV Lithography Equipment China has successfully achieved domestic production of deep ultraviolet (DUV) lithography equipment, a key component in semiconductor manufacturing. Following the successful IPO of CXMT, China's largest DRAM manufacturer, on July 27, positive developments continue to emerge in the Chinese semiconductor industry.A Chinese company has begun producing its own immersion DUV equipment and plans to deliver five units to customers this year, according to a report by the U.S. tech publication The Information on July 28. The production will supply major Chinese semiconductor firms, including SMIC, Huahong Semiconductor, and CXMT. This marks the first time a Chinese company has manufactured immersion DUV equipment. The Information also reported that 20 units are expected to be shipped next year.The U.S. has prohibited the export of advanced extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography machines to China since 2019, and since 2023, it has also banned the export of immersion DUV equipment.Immersion DUV technology can produce semiconductors using a 28-nanometer (nm) process in a single exposure. With multiple patterning techniques, it can cover the 7nm process, although this method has lower yields and higher production costs.Immersion DUV technology was first introduced to the market by Dutch lithography company ASML in 2006. The equipment being produced by the Chinese company is expected to have performance similar to ASML's 2008 version of immersion DUV, indicating a technological gap of approximately 18 years between ASML and Chinese manufacturers.However, the localization of DUV technology is seen as a significant achievement, indicating that China has completed the localization of its 28nm semiconductor process. There are also expectations that this will accelerate the development of EUV lithography technology in China.The name of the Chinese DUV equipment manufacturer has not been disclosed. However, there is speculation that it is Yuliangsheng, a DUV development company affiliated with Huawei. Last September, the Financial Times reported that SMIC was testing immersion DUV equipment produced by Yuliangsheng.Yuliangsheng is 50% owned by a venture capital firm under the Shanghai municipal government, while the other 50% is held by Chinese semiconductor equipment company Sikeir. Sikeir is fully owned by a venture capital firm under the Shenzhen municipal government. Given that the core team of Sikeir consists of members from Huawei's precision equipment development team, the Chinese industry considers Sikeir to be affiliated with Huawei.Meanwhile, CXMT, which went public on July 27, saw its stock price surge by 476% on its first day, making it the top company by market capitalization on the Chinese stock market. Analysts and media in China's securities industry view CXMT's IPO as a symbolic event for the Chinese semiconductor industry, reflecting positive investor sentiment regarding the growth of the sector, the localization of China's AI supply chain, and technological independence. 2026-07-28 09:12:00
  • POSCO Future M Establishes Company-wide AI Transformation Roadmap
    POSCO Future M Establishes Company-wide AI Transformation Roadmap POSCO Future M is advancing AI-based manufacturing innovation to strengthen its leadership in the battery ecosystem and secure a competitive edge.On July 28, POSCO Future M announced its digital innovation vision, presenting the 'BoT (Battery of Things) Ecosystem Game Changer' and establishing a roadmap for company-wide AI transformation (AX) focused on process standardization and data-driven strategies.The initiative aims to integrate AI throughout the entire process, from raw material procurement to product production and customer collaboration, laying the groundwork for the company to emerge as a global materials leader.Key directions for successful AI-based manufacturing innovation include: integrating AI agents into processes and optimizing systems, accelerating intelligence through a unified data hub, implementing intelligent factories utilizing AI, creating intelligent hyper-connectivity from raw materials to products, and enhancing strategic customer research and development (R&D) collaboration.If the AI-based manufacturing innovation is successfully completed by the first half of 2028, POSCO Future M plans to increase manufacturing productivity by 30%. In the R&D sector, the company aims to halve product development time by applying AI for technology trend analysis, design, and virtual validation. The speed of customer response is also expected to double, with plans to automate quality issue analysis and resolution using quality analysis robots.Order marketing will also transform with AI. The company will introduce AI simulations throughout the entire process, from raw material price forecasting to customer demand projections and sales price negotiations, enabling data-driven order negotiations. This will allow for integrated monitoring of contracts, orders, production, and shipping to optimize operations.From an environmental, social, and governance (ESG) perspective, AI will be utilized to automatically identify, diagnose, and optimize inefficient equipment operations, reducing energy consumption and enhancing operational efficiency.Additionally, based on the data accumulated throughout the production, management, and sales processes, POSCO Future M plans to build a platform that leads standards in the expanding battery ecosystem, which includes electric vehicles, energy storage systems (ESS), robots, and drones, creating new business opportunities.POSCO Future M stated, "In the future, we will apply AI agents as a standard in newly developed systems to minimize human intervention. We plan to train at least one AI utilization expert in each department this year to lead the discovery and execution of AI projects, promoting the spread and establishment of AI manufacturing innovation outcomes."Meanwhile, POSCO Future M announced in May that it had begun construction of a dedicated lithium iron phosphate (LFP) cathode material plant to respond to the energy storage system (ESS) and entry-level electric vehicle battery material markets.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-28 09:08:00
  • Gaon Cable Exports Power Distribution Cables to U.S. Tech Giant
    Gaon Cable Exports Power Distribution Cables to U.S. Tech Giant Gaon Cable has announced its first export of power distribution cables to a major U.S. tech company.On July 28, Gaon Cable revealed that it will supply approximately 50 billion won worth of distribution cables for a power plant project by a global tech firm, referred to as Company A. This initiative is part of the client's efforts to establish its own power plant to ensure a stable power supply for its artificial intelligence (AI) data center.Gaon Cable has been collaborating with global tech companies through its U.S. subsidiary, LSCUS, securing long-term supply contracts for bus ducts worth over 5 trillion won for AI data centers. This latest order marks a significant expansion of Gaon Cable's business into the power source construction sector.The scale of exports to the U.S. is expected to increase significantly. With the commencement of supply for cables for AI data centers and power plants this year, Gaon Cable's exports to the U.S. are projected to surge to about 300 billion won, nearly three times the amount from the previous year.Jung Hyun, CEO of Gaon Cable, stated, "The expansion of AI data centers is driving rapid growth in both transmission and distribution markets. Leveraging our position as the leading player in the domestic distribution cable market, we will strengthen our supply system encompassing cables and power equipment to enhance our global market presence."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-28 09:08:00
  • Innocean Expands from Advertising to Film with Cinema by Brand
    Innocean Expands from Advertising to Film with 'Cinema by Brand' Innocean, the advertising agency for Hyundai Motor, is venturing into the film industry. CEO Kim Jeong-a plans to expand the company's reach into film and intellectual property (IP) business, building on the success of the short film 'Night Fishing,' which she led during her tenure as vice president.On July 28, Innocean announced that it will introduce its global film production platform, 'Cinema by Brand,' at the Asia Content & Film Market (ACFM), the largest content market in Asia, during the Busan International Film Festival in October.'Cinema by Brand' aims to connect brands with global film creators to plan and produce new film content. The initiative encourages collaboration between brands and filmmakers from the planning stage, with the goal of releasing content in theaters and on global online streaming services (OTT).Under this model, filmmakers from around the world can propose projects based on a single brand, which will then undergo a selection process. The chosen projects will enter a production phase lasting over six months, with the earliest releases expected in summer 2027 through theaters or global OTT platforms.This initiative is based on the success of 'Night Fishing,' a short film produced in collaboration with Hyundai last year. Starring actor Son Seok-koo, 'Night Fishing' was the first branded film to be commercially screened in South Korea, attracting 46,000 paying viewers despite its experimental 13-minute runtime and ticket price of 1,000 won. The film, which Kim Jeong-a produced as vice president, won the Grand Prix at the 2025 Cannes Lions and the Best Editing Award at the Fantasia International Film Festival, showcasing new possibilities for brand content.Innocean plans to operate this initiative as an annual event rather than a one-time project. The company aims to establish an integrated production system that spans approximately one year, covering everything from brand selection and creator recruitment to project development, film production, and distribution, thereby continuously expanding its brand content and IP business.To support this expansion, Innocean has recently established a new content-focused organization called the 'Content Studio.' This studio will oversee various content and IP projects, including films, dramas, performances, exhibitions, YouTube, and influencer collaborations.Kim Jeong-a stated, 'With the launch of Cinema by Brand, we plan to continuously expand our creative capabilities beyond the traditional boundaries of advertising and marketing into the realms of film, entertainment, content, and IP.' 2026-07-28 09:08:00
  • Samsung Electronics Wins Most Awards for Green Products with 16 Recognitions
    Samsung Electronics Wins Most Awards for Green Products with 16 Recognitions Samsung Electronics has achieved a record number of awards at the '2026 Korea Green Product of the Year' event, organized by the nonprofit organization Green Purchase Network, with a total of 16 products recognized.The company received accolades for 14 home appliances and 2 mobile devices, all featuring advanced energy-saving technologies based on artificial intelligence (AI) and high-efficiency performance. The evaluation involved over 300 consumer and environmental experts from 16 national organizations, who assessed the products' environmental impact and marketability comprehensively.In the home appliance category, products such as the 'EHS Heat Pump Boiler,' which boasts energy efficiency five times greater than fossil fuels, and the 'Bespoke AI Wind-Free Combo Gallery Pro,' which utilizes patented technology to reduce energy consumption by up to 30%, were among the 14 selected.The 'Bespoke AI Wind-Free Combo Pro Wall-Mounted' air conditioner and the 'Bespoke AI Kimchi Refrigerator' received high scores from consumers, earning them the 'Popular Product' award, making them dual winners.Other notable green products include the 'Bespoke AI Combo' with 69-minute quick wash and dry capabilities and a SmartThings AI savings mode, the 'Bespoke AI Ice Water Purifier' that filters out 82 harmful substances and supports AI-customized sterilization, and energy-efficient products like the inverter dehumidifier, AI one-body hybrid refrigerator, dishwasher, robot vacuum cleaner, air dresser, and induction cooktop.In the mobile category, the 'Galaxy S26 Series' and 'Galaxy Book6 Pro' were recognized. The Galaxy S26 Series guarantees seven years of OS and security updates and incorporates recycled tantalum and lithium materials to enhance its eco-friendliness.The Galaxy Book6 Pro was acknowledged for significantly reducing power consumption through its variable refresh rate display and automatic adjustment of memory power and speed. 2026-07-28 09:08:00
  • South Korea, Brazil agree to expand cooperation across sectors
    South Korea, Brazil agree to expand cooperation across sectors SEOUL, July 28 (AJP) - President Lee Jae Myung had a summit with Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva in Brasília on Monday, where they agreed to deepen cooperation in defense, aerospace, critical minerals and other strategic industries. Lee's trip to Brazil, which followed Lula's state visit to Seoul in February, marked the first state visit by a South Korean president to Brazil in 11 years. In a joint statement after their summit which lasted about 140 minutes, the two leaders pledged to expand cooperation into defense, aerospace, digital technologies and supply chains through a newly launched high-level committee on industrial and trade cooperation. Lee stressed the need for cooperation with Mercosur countries, calling it an urgent task that could "no longer be delayed" amid growing uncertainty in global trade. He said the pact with the trade bloc would help South Korean companies expand into the South American market while providing Brazilian firms with greater access to Asia. The South American bloc, established in 1991 by Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay, is similar to a free trade agreement (FTA) but covers a broader range of areas. The two countries signed a series of agreements on industrial technology, energy and space cooperation to facilitate South Korean commercial launches from Brazilian spaceports and expand collaboration in lunar exploration and satellite data sharing. They also pledged to expand collaboration in critical minerals, semiconductors, batteries, shipbuilding and artificial intelligence, combining Brazil's abundant natural resources with South Korea's manufacturing and technological strengths. Lee and Lula agreed to launch a committee for bilateral defense cooperation later this year and pursue an agreement on the exchange of classified military information. Highlighting closer defense ties, Lee cited South Korea's planned procurement of a C-390 military transport aircraft, manufactured by Brazilian aerospace company Embraer. Lee had inspected the aircraft upon his arrival in Brazil the previous day. The two leaders reaffirmed strategic coordination on global issues including international peace and security, climate change and artificial intelligence, with Lula expressing support for South Korea's efforts to achieve lasting peace and denuclearization on the Korean Peninsula. After wrapping up the summit, Lee now arrived in São Paulo, Brazil's largest city and economic hub, where he is set to meet with South Korean residents and attend a business roundtable before traveling to Chile and Argentina to expand strategic cooperation across the resource-rich region. 2026-07-28 09:05:53
  • LG Innotek Partners with TDK to Lead Physical AI Market
    LG Innotek Partners with TDK to Lead Physical AI Market LG Innotek is collaborating with global electronics company TDK to develop high-performance sensing solutions for robots.On July 28, LG Innotek announced a strategic partnership with TDK in the field of physical artificial intelligence (AI). The strategy aims to leverage TDK's sensor portfolio combined with LG Innotek's optical and ultra-precision design capabilities.TDK, headquartered in Japan, is a top-tier global company in the sensor field, possessing a wide range of sensor technologies essential for physical AI, including inertial, position, pressure, and temperature sensors.LG Innotek is advancing preliminary research to integrate TDK's inertial and position sensors and microphones into its vision sensing modules. The next-generation vision sensing module will enhance the recognition performance of robots by processing movement, direction, and sound data, in addition to visual information.By incorporating TDK's inertial measurement unit (IMU), the module will correct the shaking of image data generated during robot movement, ensuring accurate recognition. This multifunctional integration will significantly reduce the burden on robot manufacturers regarding the supply and connection of individual sensors. The first product featuring the inertial sensor is expected to be commercialized in 2027.Additionally, a 'tactile sensing module,' which acts as the skin for robots, will also be jointly developed with a target completion date of 2027. This high-value component will be installed on the robot's hands, arms, and body to delicately recognize contact and pressure. Given the high technical difficulty required for ultra-precision, ultra-thin, and flexible structures, LG Innotek's modularization and digital signal processing technology will be combined with TDK's ultra-precision tactile sensing technology.Moon Hyuk-soo, President of LG Innotek, emphasized, "Multi-sensing, which combines various sensors in the robotics field, is emerging as a key focus. Through our collaboration with TDK, we aim to lead the ecosystem of core components for robots and accelerate our entry into the physical AI market."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-28 09:04:00