Latest by
-
Decline of Bars in Seoul: 1,095 Establishments Closed in a Year A post on the community forum for small business owners in South Korea, titled "How much should I earn before deciding to close my business?" received over 140 comments. The author, who has been running a pub for two years, expressed concerns about renewing their lease. Responses included, "I decided to close after my earnings dropped to 3 million won in the off-season and 5 million won in peak season," and "Many small business owners are holding on by working side jobs, so stay strong." The post garnered 26,000 views, indicating that many bar owners share similar worries. Bars in Seoul are disappearing at an alarming rate. The number of closures is nearly double that of new openings, exacerbating the decline in demand for group dining. Amid sluggish domestic consumption and rising labor costs, bar owners are struggling, particularly as drinking culture shifts from group gatherings to individual or small-scale consumption, leading to reduced alcohol sales and a domino effect of closures. According to the Seoul Business Analysis Service, the number of pubs and taverns in the city fell to 15,595 in the first quarter of this year, down 1,095 (6.6%) from 16,690 during the same period last year. Compared to the first quarter of 2024, when there were 18,179 establishments, this marks a decrease of 2,584 (14.2%) over two years. Pubs and taverns primarily sell alcohol and snacks. The Seoul Business Analysis Service compiles quarterly data on store openings and closures based on business registration information. The number of closures is approaching double that of new openings. In the first quarter of this year, 313 new pubs and taverns opened, while 597 closed, resulting in a net loss of 284 establishments. The opening rate was 2.0%, while the closure rate was 3.8%. However, the pace of closures has slightly eased compared to last year. The number of new openings increased from 283 to 313, while closures decreased from 674 to 597. The closure rate dropped from 4.0% to 3.8%, but the number of closures continues to exceed openings, leading to an overall decline in establishments. While the overall restaurant industry showed signs of improvement in the second quarter, bar owners report that their sector is recovering more slowly than others. The Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corporation's "2026 Second Quarter Restaurant Industry Business Trend Index" report indicates that the current index for the overall restaurant industry rose to 78.82, up 2.04 points from the first quarter (76.78). An index below 100 indicates that more businesses reported worsening conditions compared to the same period last year. The current index for bars stands at 72.23, a slight increase of 1.15 points from the previous quarter (71.08), but remains the lowest among major sectors. The outlook index for the third quarter is also lower at 80.19, down 2.35 points from the second quarter's forecast of 82.54. The decline in bars can be attributed to various factors, including the sluggish domestic economy, but the changing drinking culture and reduced alcohol consumption are also significant contributors. Even when gatherings occur, the trend is shifting away from late-night drinking sessions to shorter lunch meetings or brief first gatherings. Analysts suggest that the decrease in pubs reflects broader changes in dining culture and household structures, such as the rise of single-person households. Overall alcohol consumption is also on the decline. According to the National Tax Service's statistics portal, domestic alcohol shipments peaked at 4,073,615 kiloliters in 2015 but plummeted by 26.7% to 2,987,726 kiloliters by 2025. Last year, beer shipments fell by 7.2% to 1,518,931 kiloliters, while diluted spirits decreased by 2.8% to 792,912 kiloliters. In contrast, shipments of general distilled spirits, which include fruit wines, increased by 6.6% to 4,056 kiloliters. Shipments of general distilled spirits rose from 1,785 kiloliters in 2023 to 3,805 kiloliters in 2024 and 4,056 kiloliters in 2025. An industry representative stated, "As the number of group gatherings decreases and single-person households increase, the consumption of large quantities of alcohol in social settings continues to decline. The industry is also shifting its focus to low-alcohol and smaller-sized products to cater to individual preferences." 2026-07-27 18:16:00 -
YouTuber Baek Jin-kyung's Past Photos Spark Online Buzz YouTuber Baek Jin-kyung, known for her role as an honorary British figure, is drawing attention due to her past photos. Her recent revelations about her experiences during a working holiday in the United States have further piqued the interest of netizens.On July 27, a post featuring Baek Jin-kyung's past photos surfaced on an online community.The images showcase Baek Jin-kyung posing confidently, highlighting her glamorous figure. Notably, her curvaceous body caught the eye of many.Additionally, her past anecdotes shared on the YouTube channel 'Chimchakman' have resurfaced. During the broadcast, Baek Jin-kyung reminisced about her time in the U.S., stating, "In America, there was a preference for curvy women."She continued, "From the airport, people were staring at me, causing traffic jams. Since a curvy figure is not common among Koreans, I think I appeared as a limited edition. At that moment, I thought, 'This is my second hometown.'"Baek Jin-kyung also noted, "In Korea, my style isn't popular, so I wasn't well-received, but it was different in America. There were instances of catcalling, with men whistling or asking for my number, but I enjoyed it. If the person being catcalled is happy, isn't that what matters?" This statement has sparked considerable discussion.As her comments gained traction online, various reactions accompanied the past photos.Netizens commented, "Seeing the past photos, I can understand why," "She definitely fits the American taste," "She has that hot girl vibe," and "I would have asked for her number too."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-27 18:12:00
-
Heat Wave Continues with Highs Reaching 39 Degrees; Showers Expected in Central Regions On Tuesday, July 28, a heat wave and tropical nights are expected to persist across most of the country.According to the Korea Meteorological Administration on July 27, the perceived temperatures will exceed 33 degrees Celsius in most areas, with southern regions reaching above 35 degrees.In particular, extreme heat is anticipated in Jeonnam's Gwangyang, Daegu (excluding Gunwi), Gyeongbuk's Gyeongsan, Cheongdo, Goryeong, Pohang, Gyeongju, and Gyeongnam's Yangsan, Changwon, Gimhae, Miryang, Uiryeong, Ham-an, Changnyeong, Jinju, and Hapcheon, where perceived temperatures are expected to exceed 38 degrees or actual highs around 39 degrees.Many areas will experience tropical nights due to insufficient temperature drops overnight.From the night of the 28th to the afternoon, showers are forecasted in central inland areas and Gyeongbuk. Some regions may experience gusts of wind along with thunder and lightning.The expected rainfall amounts from the showers are as follows: 5-40mm in Seoul and inland Gyeonggi, 5-40mm in central and southern inland and mountainous areas of Gangwon, 5-20mm in the central and southern east coast of Gangwon, 5-40mm in northern and central Chungbuk, 5-40mm in northern and central Gyeongbuk, and 5-20mm in Ulleungdo and Dokdo.The forecasted morning low temperatures in major cities are 26 degrees in Seoul, 25 degrees in Incheon, 25 degrees in Suwon, 25 degrees in Chuncheon, 26 degrees in Gangneung, 26 degrees in Daejeon, 26 degrees in Cheongju, 26 degrees in Gwangju, 26 degrees in Jeonju, 26 degrees in Busan, 26 degrees in Ulsan, 25 degrees in Daegu, and 27 degrees in Jeju.The expected daytime high temperatures are 33 degrees in Seoul, 32 degrees in Incheon, 32 degrees in Suwon, 32 degrees in Chuncheon, 34 degrees in Gangneung, 34 degrees in Daejeon, 35 degrees in Cheongju, 34 degrees in Gwangju, 34 degrees in Jeonju, 35 degrees in Busan, 36 degrees in Ulsan, 38 degrees in Daegu, and 32 degrees in Jeju.The fine dust levels are expected to be at a 'good' level across all regions.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-27 18:12:00
-
Reactions Split as Yoon Suk Yeol Receives Suspended Sentence for Election Law Violation 여야는 27일 윤석열 전 대통령이 공직선거법 위반 혐의로 1심에서 징역형의 집행유예를 선고받자 엇갈린 반응을 보였다. 범여권은 "사필귀정"이라며 국민의힘을 향해 선거비용 반환을 요구했고, 국민의힘은 이재명 대통령의 재판 재개를 주장하며 역공에 나섰다.한병도 더불어민주당 원내대표는 이날 페이스북에 "주권자의 민의를 왜곡하고, 대선 결과에 중대한 영향을 미친 윤석열의 추악한 거짓말에 철퇴를 내린 판결"이라며 환영의 뜻을 밝혔다. 이어 "지난 몇 년간 국민의힘은 민주당을 겨냥해 선거비용 반환을 겁박해 왔다"며 "특검법상 규정된 재판기간을 고려하면 앞으로 6개월 이내에 확정 판결이 나올 것으로 전망된다. 국민의힘은 자신들이 내뱉은 말을 지켜야 할 것"이라고 강조했다. 강준현 수석대변인도 국회에서 브리핑을 통해 "내란수괴 윤석열은 탄핵 이전에 이미 대통령의 자격이 없었다는 것을 증명한 판결"이라며 "거짓으로 대통령 직을 찬탈한 윤석열을 후보로 세운 국민의힘이 책임질 차례"라고 주장했다. 그러면서 "만약 2심, 3심을 지켜봐야 한다며 시간끌기에 나서거나 윤석열 개인의 탓으로 어물쩍 넘길 생각을 하고 있다면 이는 커다란 오산"이라며 "즉각 국민께 사죄하고 혈세로 보전받은 397억원의 선거비용 반환에 나서야 할 것"이라고 덧붙였다. 조국혁신당의 정춘생, 차규근, 강경숙 의원은 이날 입장문을 내고 윤 전 대통령의 선고에 대해 "사필귀정"이라며 "늦게나마 법원의 판단으로 윤 전 대통령이 법의 심판을 받게 된 것을 뜻깊게 생각한다"고 했다. 이어 "윤 전 대통령을 대통령 후보로 공천했던 국민의힘 역시 그 책임을 져야 한다"며 "국민의힘은 지금부터 선거비용 반환을 준비하고, 내란정당의 그늘에서 벗어나지 못한 국민의힘 지도부는 즉각 사퇴하라"고 주장했다. 반면 국민의힘은 윤 전 대통령의 대법원 판결까지 지켜보겠다면서 이 대통령의 재판 재개를 촉구했다. 박성훈 수석대변인은 논평에서 "아직 대법원의 최종 판단이 남아 있는 만큼 그 결과를 엄중히 지켜보겠다"며 "이 대통령 사건에 대한 후속 재판도 신속히 재개해 결론내야 한다"고 목소리 높였다.박 수석대변인은 "이 대통령의 허위사실 공표에 따른 공직선거법 위반 사건은 이미 대법원의 유죄 취지 판단이 내려진 사안"이라며 "남은 절차가 마무리돼 형이 확정되면 민주당은 국민 혈세로 보전받은 대선 선거보전금 434억원을 반드시 반환해야 한다"고 지적했다. 권영세 의원도 페이스북에서 "이 대통령에 대한 2020 대법원 판결(친형 정신병원 감금관련)에 의하면 이 사건도 당연히 무죄여야 한다"며 "상급심에서 바로 잡혀지길 기대한다"고 했다. 이어 "만에 하나 이 판결이 유지된다면 2025 대법원 파기환송 판결(김문기 관련 골프 발언 및 백현동 관련 발언)도 바로 재개돼야 한다. 그것이 공정한 일"이라고 덧붙였다.서울중앙지법 형사합의21부(조순표 부장판사)는 이날 공직선거법 위반 혐의로 기소된 윤 전 대통령에게 징역 1년 6개월에 집행유예 3년을 선고했다. 형이 확정될 경우 국민의힘은 대선 때 보전받은 선거비용 397억원을 중앙선거관리위원회에 반환해야 한다.공직선거법에 따르면 대선 후보자가 당선되거나 15% 이상 득표율을 얻으면 선거관리위원회에서 선거비용 전액을 보전받는다. 다만 이후 당선 무효형(벌금 100만원 이상)을 선고받아 확정되면 정당에서 이를 모두 반환해야 한다.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-27 17:52:00
-
Vietnam's Online Retail Market Sees Price Increases Amid Growth Vietnam's online retail market continued its rapid growth in the first half of this year. Major e-commerce platforms such as Shopee, TikTok Shop, Lazada, and Tiki significantly outpaced overall retail growth, but rising product prices and increased seller costs are also becoming apparent.According to local media reports from VnExpress on July 27, market analysis platform Metric announced on July 23 that the total transaction volume for the four major platforms in the first half of this year reached 291.6 trillion dong (approximately 16.27 trillion won). The number of products sold during this period exceeded 2.18 billion, with total transaction volume and sales increasing by over 41% and 12%, respectively, compared to the same period last year.Online Spending Grows Three Times Faster Than Overall RetailVietnamese consumers are spending an average of over 16 trillion dong daily on major e-commerce platforms. Daily transactions exceed 12 million items, with popular categories including beauty, fashion, household goods, groceries, and electronics. A total of 613,900 sellers are registered on these four platforms.The growth rate of online retail has significantly outpaced the overall retail market. Metric estimates that online retail grew nearly three times faster than total retail in the first half of the year, accounting for almost 10% of the overall retail market.Brands are also recognizing the benefits of expanding online channels. JBL, which sells Bluetooth speakers and headphones, reported that its sales on Lazada doubled in the second quarter compared to the same period last year. A JBL Vietnam representative noted that online channels allow for greater consumer reach based on high traffic and are effective for promotions targeting younger audiences.Live Commerce, Discounts, and Fast Delivery Drive GrowthKey factors driving growth in the first half of the year include live commerce and video-based sales. An online survey by Q&Me found that live commerce has become a primary shopping channel for active online consumers, accounting for about 67% of their online spending. The influence of live commerce is also notable on TikTok Shop, where Nesti's CEO, Ta Van Tan, stated last month that over half of TikTok Shop's total sales come from live commerce.Discount promotions and fast delivery have also been identified as factors boosting purchase conversions. In the Q&Me survey, 82% of respondents indicated they are attracted to discount programs. Lazada reported that total transaction volume during a promotion on June 6 increased by 276% compared to usual, while Shopee noted that orders from stores offering one- to four-hour delivery were 130% higher than those without such services.However, some consumers have expressed concerns that online product prices are not always cheaper than in physical stores. A resident of Ho Chi Minh City reported that certain clothing and shoe items are sometimes sold at higher prices online. Another consumer noted that the price of mouthwash on online platforms has risen above that of direct purchases from pharmacies.Statistics also confirm the trend of rising prices. Unet ECI reported that the average selling price across the entire online market increased by 33% in the fourth quarter of 2025 compared to the previous year. Based on Metric data, the average transaction amount per product rose by approximately 25.8%, from 103,760 dong in the second quarter of last year to 130,510 dong in the first quarter of 2026.The background of these price increases includes rising costs and operational burdens. Factors such as production and import prices, labor costs, packaging, logistics, as well as platform fees, advertising costs, discount coupon burdens, and transaction processing fees have all risen, making it difficult for sellers to maintain low prices.Increasing Seller Burdens and Fee Policies as VariablesAs platforms grow, seller burdens are also increasing. Shopee and TikTok Shop have adjusted their fee policies several times in the first half of the year, leading to increased selling costs for some items. In response to seller complaints, the Vietnam National Competition Commission has requested information and data from the platforms for impact assessment.Online sales training expert Julyhouse, CEO of Chan Lam, diagnosed that the market is gradually moving from a 'burning money' phase to one focused on optimizing operational efficiency. He stated, "E-commerce costs continue to rise, but consumers still expect lower prices, faster delivery, and more promotions." The expansion of the online retail market is expected to continue into the third quarter, with Metric forecasting that transaction volume on major platforms will reach 146.3 trillion dong, a 2.31% increase from the second quarter.Consequently, sellers are required to adopt more sophisticated operational strategies rather than simply expanding their presence. Metric advises sellers to build their product portfolios based on search trends, price ranges, and seasonality, rather than relying solely on intuition. Improvements in product quality, images, and information, along with the use of advertising, promotions, live commerce, affiliate marketing, and social media content, are also deemed necessary.Content creator Hoang Van Khoa emphasized the importance of a multi-platform strategy. He noted that producing one piece of content in various formats for distribution across channels like Shopee, Facebook, and Instagram has proven effective, stating, "Thanks to this approach, my content currently maintains over 30 million views per month."In the long term, competition in Vietnam's e-commerce sector is shifting from simple price competition to a focus on experience and trust. Sara Nguyen, Shopee Vietnam's Commercial Director, believes that e-commerce has entered a new stage where consumers expect better experiences, personalization, and trust. She explained that platforms need to invest more in solutions that ensure artificial intelligence, infrastructure, and a seamless shopping experience.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-27 17:48:00
-
Jang Dong-hyuk Advocates for Re-election Amid Election Fraud Allegations Jang Dong-hyuk, leader of the People Power Party, attended a hearing on election appeals related to the June 3 local elections at the National Election Commission in Gwacheon on July 27. Before the hearing, he held a press conference at the National Assembly, asserting, "A re-election must be conducted." He stated that if the Election Commission fails to respond to allegations of election fraud, it must acknowledge its mistakes and take responsibility, speaking passionately for over 30 minutes.After the hearing, Jang told reporters, "If the public had watched the hearing (live), they would have been outraged. With such an attitude and mindset, the Election Commission is causing South Korea to incur social costs every election cycle," adding that his feelings of anger during the hearing had not subsided. Previously, Jang had requested a live broadcast of the hearing, but the request was denied, prompting him to hold a press conference at the National Assembly. During the conference, he remarked, "Even if the Election Commission claims to be 'making soybean paste with beans,' the people of South Korea will not believe it. Based on the facts revealed so far, I believe this local election is invalid and a re-election is necessary."Jang argued that the logic claiming election fraud is impossible has lost its validity. He explained, "No matter how thoroughly monitored and supervised the vote counting is, the Election Commission can manipulate all the numbers without any oversight, procedures, or reports at the final stage, which is a serious issue. The fairness, transparency, and objectivity of past elections are also called into question."He urged, "If all facts are revealed and a special investigation is conducted, there will be no clean area among the 16 metropolitan governments. I hope they do not miss this last opportunity to correct their mistakes." He pressed for a complete re-election.Political analysts suggest that Jang's press conference before the hearing was a strategy to pressure the Election Commission and the Democratic Party. As both parties engage in behind-the-scenes negotiations regarding the extension of the National Assembly's investigation into voting rights violations and the scope and duration of the special investigation, Jang appears to be trying to create a favorable situation through public opinion.Even if the election appeal is not accepted, it seems that the strategy is to continue addressing the issue of voting rights violations politically. In fact, the People Power Party believes that Jang and other party members have generated momentum for the National Assembly investigation and special investigation by frequently visiting locations like Olympic Park in Songpa-gu, Seoul.A member of the People Power Party stated to Aju Economy, "While the allegations of manipulation by the Election Commission are currently just suspicions, if intentionality is confirmed, a re-election would be inevitable. As of now, we cannot confirm intentionality, and while Jang's claims of election fraud are political, the situation could change."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-27 17:48:00
-
UNC commander calls for readiness on Korean War Armistice anniversary SEOUL, July 27 (AJP) - The Armistice Agreement that ended the 1950-53 Korean War has helped maintain peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula for 73 years, the commander of the United Nations Command (UNC) said Monday as South Korea and allied nations marked the anniversary of the ceasefire. UNC Commander Gen. Xavier Brunson made the remarks in a post on X honoring the 22 countries that fought or provided medical support to South Korea, a country thousands of miles away under the U.N. flag during the war. "Today marks the 73rd anniversary of the Korean War Armistice Agreement. The Armistice is not a peace treaty, but for 73 years it has provided the framework that has helped preserve peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula," Brunson said. Honoring those countries' sacrifice in defending "freedom and security in Korea" he said, "Their veterans remain the living bridge between the battlefield of yesterday and the peace we safeguard today." He also stressed the need for continued commitment and readiness to uphold the agreement. "Their legacy reminds us that preserving the Armistice requires steadfast commitment, unwavering vigilance, and credible readiness. There is no substitute for being ready," he added. Signed on July 27, 1953 by the UNC, the agreement halted active fighting but left the two Koreas technically still at war. South Korea observes the day to honor fallen troops, while North Korea marks it as "Victory Day," claiming to have defeated U.N.-led forces. 2026-07-27 17:45:47 -
Korea's middle-aged dads find an unlikely superhero in 'Agent Kim' SEOUL, July 27 (AJP) - As South Korean companies quietly push employees toward early retirement, millions of middle-aged office workers have found an unlikely superhero in a timid bank manager who secretly used to be one of the country's deadliest intelligence operatives. The latest hit K-drama "Agent Kim Reactivated," known in Korean as Kim Bu-jang, wrapped up its 10-episode run Sunday after becoming one of the year's biggest television successes. But its strongest following may have come not from young streaming audiences but from men in their 40s who saw something of themselves behind the show's punches and gunfights. Kim Hyun-soo, a 47-year-old office worker in Seongnam, never missed an episode. His company has been encouraging voluntary retirement, and several colleagues of similar age have already accepted the offer as employers quietly trim payrolls despite an economy buoyed by booming semiconductor exports and record stock prices. Lying awake at night, Kim often wonders when his turn will come. The drama gave him something reality could not. "I felt a sense of release," he said. Premiering to a nationwide audience rating of 9.5 percent — the strongest opening for a South Korean miniseries this year — the show finished with ratings exceeding 23 percent, according to Nielsen Korea. It also topped Netflix's global non-English television rankings for two consecutive weeks, drawing 10.5 million views during the week of June 29 and another 9.1 million the following week. Its appeal stretched well beyond one demographic. But for Kim and another office worker interviewed by AJP, the series became more than entertainment. It became wish fulfillment. Manager Kim, the show's protagonist, works in the accounting department of a small savings bank. He is a widowed father raising his daughter alone, quietly absorbing insults from colleagues while avoiding confrontation. Unknown to everyone around him, however, he and his two closest friends are former intelligence operatives who once carried out dangerous covert missions. When his daughter disappears, the three middle-aged men return to a world they thought they had left behind. The premise is simple but emotionally powerful. The ordinary "ajeossi" — a Korean term for middle-aged men often associated with being unfashionable, invisible or past their prime — turns out to be the most capable person in the room. Park Seong-min, a 42-year-old office worker in Gwacheon, found himself drawn to precisely that contrast. "The three characters don't even have impressive jobs," he said. "By some standards, they're losers." Yet he binge-watched the series almost without noticing the time. The action reminded him of the John Wick films, but the Korean setting and middle-aged protagonists made the story feel closer to home. "Since it's a Korean drama, there were parts I related to much more," he said. Unlike many Korean dramas, its heroes are neither wealthy heirs nor gifted young professionals. They wear office shirts instead of designer suits. They worry about mortgages and children instead of corporate takeovers. Society has already decided they are ordinary. The action begins when that assumption proves spectacularly wrong. For viewers like Kim, the fantasy is not simply that middle-aged fathers can still fight. It is that becoming ordinary in the eyes of society does not mean becoming powerless. That anxiety extends far beyond television. South Korea's banking industry has increasingly offered voluntary-retirement packages to employees well below the statutory retirement age of 60. Voluntary retirements at the country's five largest commercial banks rose 24 percent in 2025 to 2,470 employees, the highest level since comparable disclosures began in 2021, according to reports filed with the Korea Federation of Banks. Eligibility has also crept steadily downward. Shinhan Bank included employees born as late as 1986 in one retirement program, while Hana Bank opened another to general employees aged 40 or older with at least 15 years of service. The programs remain voluntary and often include generous compensation. Still, for workers like Kim, seeing retirement packages offered to people barely into middle age reinforces an uncomfortable reality: careers once expected to last until 60 may end much earlier. Many people in their 40s also belong to South Korea's so-called sandwich generation, supporting aging parents while still raising children of their own. Park, however, is reluctant to portray his generation as uniquely burdened. He also helps support his parents. "I don't think people in their 40s necessarily have it harder," he said. "Everyone believes their own situation is the hardest." His answer complicates the familiar narrative. Not every middle-aged Korean man feels defeated. Some fear restructuring. Others simply accept uncertainty as another part of working life. "You just quietly get through each day," Park said. Perhaps that is why Agent Kim Reactivated resonated so deeply. Its greatest fantasy was never that an ordinary office worker could defeat heavily armed criminals. It was that the quiet, overlooked middle-aged man whom society had already dismissed still possessed extraordinary value. For one hour each week, Kim and Park could imagine themselves not as employees worrying about restructuring or fathers wondering whether they had already reached their peak, but as men whose years of quiet endurance concealed exceptional strength. When the credits rolled, Monday morning returned. The restructuring notices remained. Retirement still seemed closer than either expected. The responsibilities of work and family had not changed. But for a brief moment, neither had to believe that becoming older meant becoming less important. There is a little of Agent Kim in millions of Korean fathers — men who quietly shoulder mortgages, aging parents and children while wondering whether their own best years have already passed. The show's greatest achievement may not have been creating another action hero. It was reminding a generation of overlooked men that their story does not have to end at middle age. 2026-07-27 17:43:02 -
ChabioTech Selected for Ministry of Science's AX One-Stop Voucher Program ChabioTech has been selected for the Ministry of Science and ICT's 'AX (AI Transformation) One-Stop Voucher' support program. The company plans to implement a generative artificial intelligence (AI)-based manufacturing and quality control (CMC) regulatory document automation system to enhance the efficiency of cell therapy development and regulatory processes.On July 27, ChabioTech announced that it is forming a consortium with Naver Cloud, Persona AI, and MediAI Plus to develop a software-as-a-service (AI-SaaS) platform aimed at accelerating the commercialization of generative AI-based cell therapies. The project will receive 2.6 billion won in government funding.The AX One-Stop Voucher program aims to promote AI transformation among domestic companies by providing integrated support for AI solutions, cloud services, and data utilization in the form of vouchers.In this initiative, Naver Cloud will provide high-performance cloud infrastructure, while Persona AI will be responsible for developing AI solutions and building the SaaS platform. MediAI Plus will handle data structuring and quality verification. The consortium aims to address delays in document and data processing throughout the entire cycle of cell therapy research and development.CMC documents are critical regulatory documents that demonstrate the consistency, safety, reproducibility, and clinical applicability of a product during the cell therapy development process. Compiling and drafting these documents requires extensive time and manpower, as it involves integrating information from various departments, including manufacturing, quality, clinical, and non-clinical.The AI-based application software being developed through this project will automate the creation and verification of CMC regulatory documents. This is expected to improve the efficiency of document searching, drafting, and review processes, enhance the quality of regulatory responses, secure competitiveness in global regulatory compliance, and shorten the timelines for new drug development and approvals.ChabioTech plans to establish an integrated process that encompasses search, analysis, generation, and verification using four key validation agents and AI operations technology (AI Ops) to automatically perform document tasks and review procedures on behalf of users.Yoon Seok-hwan, Executive Director of ChabioTech's AI team, stated, "We plan to structure dispersed document data to create an automated system that generates regulatory document drafts and conducts verification. We aim to demonstrate AI transformation in the regulatory document area, which requires high precision, such as in cell therapy CMC, and create a case that accelerates the spread of AX across the entire bio industry."Meanwhile, ChabioTech is engaged in the research and development of cell and gene therapies (CGT) targeting intractable diseases such as cancer and rare diseases.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-27 17:36:00
-
Lee Jae-yong and Choi Tae-won Gather at Google Camp in Italy, Boosting Big Tech AI Alliance Lee Jae-yong, chairman of Samsung Electronics, and Choi Tae-won, chairman of SK Group, are expanding their global presence from the United States to Sicily, Italy. According to industry sources on July 27, the two leaders are set to attend the exclusive tech CEO gathering known as 'Google Camp' at the Rocco Forte Verdura Resort in Sicily at the end of this month. This annual event, hosted by Google founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin, brings together global information technology (IT) leaders for private networking opportunities. Lee has been a consistent attendee since the event's inception, while Choi is making his debut this year after missing last year's gathering due to the impact of U.S.-Korea tariff negotiations. Their participation this year signals a renewed effort to strengthen their global tech networks. At the meeting, the two executives are expected to foster relationships with global IT leaders, including those from Google, while sharing insights on the latest technological trends and business challenges, potentially creating new collaboration opportunities. This visit follows the 'AI Summit' held in San Francisco on July 24, where Samsung Electronics and SK Group signed agreements worth $950 billion for memory and AI data centers with companies like NVIDIA and Broadcom. With the demand for AI semiconductors surging, the two leaders are anticipated to discuss expanding high-bandwidth memory (HBM) supply and establishing a global semiconductor cooperation framework with major tech executives. NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang has previously emphasized the importance of South Korean memory companies, stating, "Without the HBM innovations from Korean memory firms, the current AI capabilities would not be possible."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-27 17:36:00