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EcoPro HN to Supply $27.5 Million RCS to Samsung E&A EcoPro HN will supply a centralized greenhouse gas reduction system (RCS) to Samsung E&A. The contract is valued at 33 billion won, and the equipment will be implemented at domestic semiconductor companies.On July 27, EcoPro HN announced through a public disclosure that it has signed a contract with Samsung E&A for the supply of RCS. The Regenerative Catalytic System (RCS) is a large-scale greenhouse gas reduction system designed to process perfluorocarbons (PFCs) generated during semiconductor manufacturing.PFCs have a global warming potential (GWP) thousands to tens of thousands of times greater than CO2, making them a critical environmental issue that must be addressed in semiconductor production.EcoPro HN is recognized for its technological expertise in the RCS field, based on its catalyst-based greenhouse gas reduction technology. While traditional thermal decomposition systems require ultra-high temperature processes of 1,300 to 1,400 degrees Celsius for greenhouse gas reduction, EcoPro HN's RCS can decompose greenhouse gases at approximately 750 to 800 degrees Celsius, resulting in about a 95% reduction in energy consumption.In line with the trend of domestic semiconductor companies expanding their global production bases, EcoPro HN plans to diversify its customer base to include overseas semiconductor firms, particularly in North America.An EcoPro HN official stated, "This order reaffirms our unique greenhouse gas reduction technology and the reliability of our equipment. We will continue to diversify our customer base in both the domestic and global semiconductor markets based on differentiated technology."Meanwhile, EcoPro HN is the only eco-friendly total solution company in South Korea engaged in air pollution prevention, greenhouse gas reduction, and materials for secondary batteries and semiconductors. It was established in 2021 following a spin-off from EcoPro's environmental division, which began in 1998.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-27 17:32:00 -
Han Seong-sook: 'I Will Address Unjust Victims and Regulatory Hurdles' as Calls for Housing Ladder Restoration Rise Young people, pre-application winners, and the housing supply industry are urging the government to restore the housing ladder that leads to homeownership and unblock supply routes. They called for clarity on pre-application loan conditions and the removal of bottlenecks in the approval and financing stages. The government responded by committing to fulfill existing promises and to specifically address unreasonable application and loan regulations as well as on-site challenges.On July 27, a national discussion on real estate policy was held at the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Seoul, chaired by Prime Minister Han Seong-sook. This meeting was organized to gather additional input from young people, newlyweds, and the supply industry, following a discussion led by President Lee Jae-myung on July 23 that did not fully address their concerns.A representative from the New Home Sharing and Selection Pre-Application Emergency Response Committee stated, "Homebuyers who have been waiting for government announcements are struggling with contract difficulties due to uncertainties in loan conditions," urging the government to implement the previously announced fixed-rate policy mortgage and confirm key financial conditions before contracts.Young attendees emphasized the need for a predictable housing ladder that allows movement from rental to homeownership, not just the provision of affordable housing. They also called for reforms to prevent disadvantages in applications and loans due to marriage and life cycle changes.The supply industry proposed revising legal standards to reduce disputes over non-apartment sales contracts and introducing integrated reviews for converting knowledge industry centers into residential officetels. They requested selective financial support, citing difficulties in funding even viable projects due to bridge loans and project financing (PF) constraints.Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Kim Yoon-deok stated, "We will transition from a sequential to a parallel processing system for approval procedures," adding that they will significantly shorten approval times through one-stop support for use changes and integrated reviews.Regarding the issues faced by pre-application winners, he emphasized that "the fundamental principle is to accurately implement what the government promised," and announced plans to hold discussions with winners soon to establish specific adjustment measures.The government aims to alleviate bottlenecks in supply while maintaining a cautious stance on uniformly relaxing regulations for private redevelopment projects that could stimulate housing prices. Minister Kim explained that indiscriminately increasing private floor area ratios could provoke short-term market instability, necessitating thorough public discourse and a refined approach.Prime Minister Han Seong-sook acknowledged the anxiety and financial burdens faced by pre-application winners due to changes in loan conditions, stating, "We take this matter very seriously and will examine on-site challenges one by one as directed by the President."The government has identified 12 cases needing improvement related to the so-called 'marriage penalty' that disadvantages individuals in applications and loans due to marriage. Additionally, over 20 proposals submitted on online forums are currently under investigation by relevant ministries.Prime Minister Han pledged, "We will boldly address unjust victim cases and regulatory obstacles raised both on-site and online, and we will establish improvement measures that the public can feel through cooperation with relevant ministries and a one-stop support system." 2026-07-27 17:32:00
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Samilp Introduces Three New 'Bespoke Breads' Tailored for Everyday Situations Samilp has announced the launch of three new products called 'Bespoke Breads' designed for various everyday situations.The term 'bespoke' originates from custom tailoring, meaning 'made to suit the tastes and needs of the customer.' Samilp has applied this concept to its bakery products, creating breads that fit into different consumer scenarios. The development process incorporated common life situations to ensure the flavors, sizes, and packaging designs are appropriate for each context.The 'Bulk-Up Pastry' targets those who need a quick snack on the go, featuring a large chocolate pastry topped with a sugar drizzle for a satisfying treat.'One-Bite Honey Balls' are designed as a convenient snack for office workers needing a quick energy boost. These mini cake balls, perfect for keeping in a desk drawer, are made with soft egg cake and sweetened with honey and sugar.On July 30, Samilp will release 'Just Right Pizza Bread,' aimed at satisfying hunger before dinner. This product features a classic pizza flavor with tomato sauce, corn, and mayonnaise.The new products will be available at convenience stores, large supermarkets, and grocery stores.A representative from Samilp stated, 'Bespoke Breads are designed to seamlessly integrate into consumers' lifestyles. We plan to continue introducing new bakery products that reflect our customers' lifestyles and consumption patterns.'* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-27 17:28:00
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The East joins the West in the survival game against extreme heat SEOUL, July 27 (AJP) - South Korea joined the global survival game against extreme heat on Monday as temperatures neared 40 degrees Celsius after the monsoon fizzled out, emptying streets and farm fields alike. Children and office workers, farmers and foreign tourists alike searched for clever ways to stay cool, crowding shopping malls, subway stations and other air-conditioned spaces. By 3 p.m., the government raised the national heat crisis alert to "grave," its highest level, and activated the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters. Behind the familiar summer scenes — umbrellas, handheld fans and iced drinks sweating in plastic cups — was a rapidly growing human toll. As of Sunday, 1,399 people had been treated for heat-related illnesses in South Korea this summer, with eight presumed deaths. Emergency rooms admitted 72 patients on Sunday alone, including two women in their 80s and 90s who later died in Hadong and Gimje. Daily emergency cases have risen sharply, from fewer than 20 on July 20 to 80 on July 25. The figures also reveal that extreme heat is anything but socially equal. More than 81 percent of patients became ill outdoors, with workplaces accounting for the largest share of cases. Manual laborers were the occupational group most frequently affected, while people aged 65 or older accounted for nearly one-third of all patients. For office workers, a heat wave can mean an uncomfortable commute. For farmers, construction workers, delivery drivers and elderly people living alone, it can become a matter of survival. Forecasters warned that the end of the rainy season allowed the North Pacific High and the Tibetan High to overlap above the Korean Peninsula, trapping hot air beneath a persistent dome of high pressure. The climate pardons none. Across the sea, Japan has been experiencing weather so severe that it has had to invent a new word for it. Japan's vocabulary for summer heat now resembles a meteorological staircase. A day above 25 C is a natsubi, or "summer day." Above 30 C comes a manatsubi, or "true summer day," followed by a moshobi, or "extremely hot day," once temperatures exceed 35 C. This year, the Japan Meteorological Agency effectively added another step: kokushobi, commonly translated as a "cruelly hot" or "brutally hot" day, for temperatures of 40 C or higher. Japan recorded its first official kokushobi on July 21. Gujo and Tajimi in Gifu Prefecture and Toyota in Aichi Prefecture all reached at least 40 C, with Toyota recording a local record of 40.1 C. Of Japan's 914 weather stations, 278 reported temperatures above 35 C that day. By July 25, Japan had endured five consecutive days above 40 C, the longest such streak since comparable records began in 2010. Nearly 11,000 people sought emergency medical care for heat-related illnesses between July 13 and 19, and 14 were pronounced dead on arrival. In Tokyo alone, 453 people were hospitalized on July 23, the city's highest daily total since records began more than a decade ago. Japan, famous for putting almost anything into a vending machine, has now built one for overheated humans. The Do Hiemon Box, nicknamed the "human refrigerator," is a stainless-steel personal cooling booth tall enough for an adult to enter. The booth is maintained at about 15 C, while air chilled to 5 C is directed at the user's head, neck, shoulders and back. Its manufacturer says spending about 10 minutes inside can help relieve symptoms of heat exhaustion. Standing 2.13 meters tall and mounted on wheels, the booth can be moved around factories and construction sites. It automatically shuts off after 20 minutes to prevent excessive cooling. Since its launch in April, more than 130 companies have reportedly installed the booths. At roughly 1.5 million yen ($9,200) each, they are an expensive refuge, though operating costs are relatively low. Elsewhere, construction workers are finding frozen drinks, ice cream and air-conditioned rest booths every few floors. In farming communities, signs urge people to work for 30 minutes and rest for the next 30. Japan's adaptation extends well beyond cooling booths. Tokyo officials have encouraged office workers to wear shorts, T-shirts and trainers under an expanded Cool Biz campaign. The national high school baseball championship has split games into morning and evening sessions to avoid the hottest hours, while farmers are planting heat-tolerant rice varieties and experimenting with subtropical crops such as avocados. The measures would once have sounded eccentric. They now read like a survival manual for a warming world. Europe, meanwhile, is discovering that a heat wave does not end when temperatures fall. It lingers in depleted reservoirs, damaged crops, shrinking rivers and hardened soil. France recorded 5,764 excess deaths during its severe heat wave between June 17 and July 2, according to provisional public health data. The Paris region alone accounted for nearly 2,000 of those deaths, with elderly people suffering the greatest impact. Scientists say Europe's drought is no longer simply a story of missing rainfall. Western Europe emerged from a relatively wet winter, but exceptionally high temperatures allowed the atmosphere to pull far more moisture from rivers, lakes, vegetation and soil. A World Weather Attribution analysis found that the extreme evaporative conditions were made about 80 times more likely by climate change in western Europe and 40 times more likely in eastern Europe. Soil dryness was made five times more likely in the west and 11 times more likely in the east. Europe's 2026 drought arrived roughly two months earlier than the severe drought of 2022. The Copernicus Climate Change Service said conditions remained critical across much of the continent in late June and had deteriorated further in central-western Europe following an extensive and prolonged heat wave. The economic consequences are already mounting. Europe is expected to lose about 9 million metric tons of grain this year. France faces its worst corn harvest in half a century, while Romanian farmers have lost crops across more than 1 million hectares. Water levels along Europe's major rivers have also fallen sharply. The Rhine at Lobith in the Netherlands dropped below the minimum recorded during the famously hot summer of 1976, restricting cargo traffic and reducing hydropower generation. Parts of the Loire have shrunk into narrow streams, while seasonal lows have also been reported along the Danube. The hotter atmosphere is creating a vicious cycle. Heat draws moisture from the ground. Dry soil loses its ability to cool the air through evaporation. Temperatures rise further, vegetation becomes more combustible and wildfires spread more easily. That same physical process is unfolding in different forms from Seoul to Tokyo and across Europe. The world has entered a survival game against extreme heat. Every country is now learning its own way to play it. 2026-07-27 17:27:06 -
K-Democratic Party's Capital Market Committee to Reassess Leverage ETFs The Democratic Party's K-Capital Market Special Committee has decided not to pursue immediate delisting or a reduction in leverage ratios for single stock leverage products, opting instead to first evaluate the effectiveness of the government's announced supplementary measures. However, the committee stated that using the term 'ETF' (exchange-traded fund) for these products is inappropriate and plans to redefine the terminology and promote self-regulation against exaggerated advertising.On July 27, the K-Capital Market Special Committee held a closed meeting in Yeouido, Seoul, with representatives (CEOs) from major securities and asset management firms to discuss the operational status of single stock leverage products and ways to mitigate market volatility.Attendees included Committee Chair Oh Gi-hyung, Secretary Kim Nam-keun, and other committee members, along with Hwang Seong-yeop, chairman of the Korea Financial Investment Association, and representatives from Kiwoom, Shinhan Investment, Kyobo Securities, Samsung, Mirae Asset, and KB Asset Management.The committee has drawn a line against previously considered measures such as reducing the leverage ratio from the current 2x to 1.5x or delisting. After the meeting, Oh told reporters, 'We are not currently considering adjusting the leverage ratio. We will first confirm whether the government's measures have a stabilizing effect on the market before determining the need for additional measures.'Secretary Kim also stated, 'Discussing immediate delisting could actually undermine market confidence. We are not considering reducing the existing 2x leverage ratio, and there is a common view among asset managers and securities firms that the current measures can sufficiently provide stability.'The committee and industry representatives expressed optimism that the government's proposed measures, including raising the basic deposit requirement to 30 million won and enhancing investor education, will significantly reduce market volatility when implemented in August.Kim noted, 'Raising the deposit requirement to 30 million won is expected to reduce the number of accounts from 100,000 to about 10,000 (a tenfold decrease) and daily trading volume by approximately 60%. We will observe the initial effects and consider raising the deposit requirement to 50 million won if necessary.'Meanwhile, the committee strongly criticized the structural issue of marketing single stock leverage products under the ETF label.Oh emphasized, 'ETFs are fundamentally designed for diversified investment across multiple stocks, so using the ETF name for single stock leverage products is inappropriate. We need to redefine the terminology to reflect the high-risk nature of these derivative financial products that expose investors to concentrated investment risks.'He added, 'To protect general investors, we will voluntarily limit excessive advertising and marketing, and we will also reconsider the use of the term ETF. If necessary, we will pursue related regulatory amendments.'* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-27 17:24:00
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Sunchonhyang University Accidentally Admits 11 Extra Medical Students In an unprecedented incident amid fierce competition for medical school admissions, Sunchonhyang University has mistakenly admitted 11 more students than its designated quota for the College of Medicine.The university acknowledged the administrative error and decided to allow all students who received acceptance notifications to enroll. However, the Education Ministry issued a stern warning regarding the integrity of the admissions process and announced that the number of admissions for the next academic year would be reduced by the excess number of students.According to reports from the education sector on July 27, Sunchonhyang University confirmed that it had sent acceptance notifications to 11 more students than its quota during the recent admissions process. The incident was attributed to a computational and administrative error in calculating scores and assigning waitlist numbers for unregistered candidates.Upon realizing the situation, the university convened an emergency admissions management committee to devise a response. Determining that the students who received acceptance notifications should not suffer due to the university's clear oversight, Sunchonhyang ultimately decided to allow all 11 extra admits.A university official stated, "We deeply apologize to the students and their parents for the irreversible mistake caused by inadequate management of the admissions office's system. Given that this was the university's fault, we deemed it appropriate to ensure that the students who have already experienced the joy of acceptance do not face any disadvantages." The official also mentioned that the university would conduct a comprehensive review of the admissions system and implement strict disciplinary measures against those responsible.However, the Education Ministry's response was firm. They emphasized that the fairness and credibility of the admissions process are paramount, especially in a highly competitive field like medicine, and they cannot overlook such a significant error.An official from the ministry remarked, "We are taking the social controversy caused by the university's mismanagement of admissions very seriously. According to the Higher Education Act and related regulations, if a university exceeds its quota due to its own fault, it must reduce the number of admissions by the excess amount in the following year's admissions process." As a result, Sunchonhyang University's College of Medicine is expected to face a penalty of reducing its admissions quota by 11 students for the 2028 academic year.Admissions experts believe this incident will significantly damage the university's credibility in the admissions process. An anonymous admissions official stated, "Each medical school seat represents the hopes and efforts of countless students, and such a ridiculous administrative error is inexcusable. Universities must strengthen their admissions systems and verification processes to ensure that students do not face confusion like this again." 2026-07-27 17:20:00
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Financial Supervisory Service Investigates L&F's Disclosure of Supply Contract The Financial Supervisory Service's Capital Market Special Investigation Unit has conducted a search at the Korea Exchange regarding allegations related to L&F's disclosure of a supply contract. On July 27, sources in the financial investment industry reported that the special investigation unit visited the Korea Exchange in Yeouido, Seoul, to secure disclosure documents submitted by L&F and related materials from the disclosure review process. This search is part of a fact-finding investigation, and it has been reported that the Korea Exchange and its employees are not targets of the investigation. The special investigation unit is focusing on allegations surrounding L&F's significant revision of its supply contract disclosure. Previously, L&F announced in February 2023 that it had signed a supply contract worth 3.8347 trillion won with the American electric vehicle manufacturer Tesla for high-nickel cathode materials. The contract was set to last for two years, from early 2024 to the end of 2025. However, just two days before the contract's expiration, on December 29 of last year, L&F issued a revised disclosure reducing the contract size to 973,316 won after the market closed. The company explained that the revision was due to changes in the supply volume. Following the revised disclosure, investor sentiment sharply declined, leading to a 9.85% drop in L&F's stock price on the next trading day, December 30. The special investigation unit is also reportedly examining the process of disposing of its own shares prior to the revised disclosure. On December 2 of last year, L&F sold 1 million shares to foreign institutional investors, raising 128.1 billion won. The special investigation unit is looking into whether L&F was aware that it would be difficult to fulfill the Tesla supply contract at that time but still proceeded to sell its shares without disclosing this information, potentially avoiding losses for the company.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-27 17:20:00
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Large-scale K-pop festival planned for launch next year with global ambitions SEOUL, July 27 (AJP) - A large-scale K-pop event will be held late next year as part of a program unveiled on Monday by the presidential committee for promoting Exchanges in South Korean Popular Culture. The event, tentatively dubbed "Fanomenon," will run from Dec. 2 to 12 next year at Changdong in northern Seoul and KINTEX in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province, featuring headliner concerts, a fandom-focused awards show and industry exhibitions. Those plans were presented at a press event in Seoul by Culture Minister Choi Hwi-young and JYP Entertainment founder Park Jin-young, who co-chair the committee. A 20,000-seat arena in Changdong will host concerts and awards ceremonies, while KINTEX will hold a music festival, showcases, screenings and other exhibitions spanning the food, fashion, gaming, webtoon, animation, film and television industries. Organizers expect the event to attract more than 520,000 visitors including over 200,000 from overseas, based on preliminary estimates by the Korea Culture and Tourism Institute. Questions at the press event focused on whether Fanomenon could secure top-tier artists and whether the involvement of four major K-pop agencies — HYBE, JYP Entertainment, SM Entertainment, and YG Entertainment — could limit opportunities for smaller talent mills. But Park dismissed the concern, saying the four major agencies would be responsible for drawing global attention, while the wider program would provide opportunities for rising artists and smaller labels. He nevertheless admitted that the headliner concerts would require major acts, but said the accompanying performances, fan meets and showcases are intended to support newer artists and companies. No artist lineup has been decided yet. Organizers said talks are underway with performers at home and overseas, while Park said foreign artists approached so far have responded positively. Park said Fanomenon must quickly build enough prestige for leading artists to seek participation, citing Stray Kids' appearances at Lollapalooza and Rock in Rio as examples of South Korean acts performing at globally recognized festivals. Unlike conventional ceremonies, the Fanomenon's awards will recognize fandoms rather than artists as performers will accept awards on behalf of their fans. Organizers plan to identify the world's 10 most active fandoms across several categories using data analysis rather than fan voting. However, the selection criteria and weighting system have yet to be finalized. Park said the committee was examining data from platforms such as Spotify and YouTube and expected to select a specialist company through a competitive bidding process to help establish the evaluation system. The event's total budget, ticket prices and division of costs between the government and private companies also remain under discussion. Organizers said revenue would come from paid admission and sponsorships, while public funding would support the event's broader cultural objectives. Officials also said the Changdong arena, scheduled for completion in May 2027, remains under construction. They added that an alternative venue would be considered if construction is delayed. The upcoming event is separate from a traveling Fanomenon festival expected to begin in Los Angeles in May 2028. Park said the overseas festival, rather than the Seoul awards event, would more closely resemble global music festivals such as Coachella. 2026-07-27 17:16:28 -
UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham Meets with Ukraine's Zelensky in First Foreign Visit Andy Burnham, the newly appointed Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, is set to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in his first foreign engagement since taking office.According to the Guardian on July 26, Burnham will hold talks with President Zelensky on July 27 at a British naval base where Ukrainian forces have been training.Zelensky will be the first foreign leader to visit the UK since Burnham's inauguration last week. The new Prime Minister has pledged to continue the support for Ukraine initiated by former Prime Minister Keir Starmer in response to Russia's invasion.The two leaders are expected to meet with British and Ukrainian troops participating in the multinational naval exercise 'Sea Breeze,' which involves 15 countries and focuses on mine countermeasures and maritime operations in the Black Sea.Burnham and Zelensky will also discuss joint projects, including the electronic warfare disruption device 'Stone Cloak,' which the UK has shared intellectual property rights for. This device, about the size of a tablet, is mounted on drones to interfere with Russian air defense systems tracking or targeting them.The UK has supplied thousands of Stone Cloak devices to Ukraine, which is now producing them domestically. After validating their performance on the battlefield, Ukraine plans to equip them on new British weapons, including cruise missiles.In a statement released before his visit, Burnham emphasized, "The UK stands shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine, and our support will not waver." He added, "Russia should not doubt our resolve, and we will not back down until a sustainable and just peace is achieved for Ukraine."Burnham described Stone Cloak as "one of the highest levels of British innovation technology, proven in the field," stating it will play a crucial role in safeguarding the security of both the UK and Ukraine.President Zelensky is among the first world leaders to communicate with Burnham following his appointment. He previously expressed a desire to build a close relationship with Burnham and to meet as soon as possible during a joint press conference with former Prime Minister Starmer.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-27 17:16:00
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IBK Industrial Bank Reports 4.4% Drop in First Half Profit Amid Currency Fluctuations IBK Industrial Bank's net profit for the first half of the year decreased due to increased currency evaluation losses and higher loan loss provisions. However, the bank's outstanding loans to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) surpassed 270 trillion won for the first time, marking a record market share in SME financing. On July 27, the bank announced that its consolidated net profit for the first half of the year was 1.44 trillion won, a 4.4% decline compared to the same period last year. The bank's standalone net profit was 1.21 trillion won, down 9.0%, while the second-quarter net profit was 689.5 billion won, an 8.5% decrease from the previous quarter. An IBK official stated, "While interest income improved due to growth in interest-earning assets and efforts to reduce funding costs, the increase in currency evaluation losses due to soaring exchange rates and higher loan loss provisions impacted net profit." The bank's soundness indicators were managed stably. The loan loss ratio rose to 0.46%, an increase of 0.05 percentage points from the same period last year, but the ratio of non-performing loans decreased by 0.01 percentage points to 1.27% compared to the end of the previous year. Additionally, the bank actively supplied productive financing, resulting in an 8.1 trillion won (3.1%) increase in the SME loan balance compared to the end of last year, achieving a record market share of 24.6% in the SME financing market. Among its subsidiaries, IBK Capital contributed the most with a net profit of 126.4 billion won. IBK Investment Securities reported a 21.2% increase to 30.3 billion won, while IBK Asset Management saw a 106.3% rise to 9.9 billion won. In contrast, IBK Savings Bank recorded a net loss of 5.3 billion won. Furthermore, the bank announced it would implement quarterly dividends for the first time in its history alongside its second-quarter results. The dividend record date is set for July 31, with a payout of 210 won per share. An IBK official remarked, "Through organizational restructuring in the second half of the year, we aim to secure momentum for supporting productive finance and the AI transformation, while also enhancing shareholder returns through our first-ever quarterly dividend." * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-27 17:16:00