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Park Jin-young unveils 2027 FANOMENON plan SEOUL, July 27 (AJP) - Co-chair Park Jin-young speaks during a press briefing on the 2027 FANOMENON implementation plan at the Multi-purpose Space on Basement Level 1 of the Seoul Education Center, National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art (MMCA), in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on July 27, 2026. 2026-07-27 14:31:01 -
Choi Hwi-young leads FANOMENON briefing SEOUL, July 27 (AJP) - Co-chair Choi Hwi-young delivers opening remarks during a press briefing on the 2027 FANOMENON implementation plan at the Multi-purpose Space on Basement Level 1 of the Seoul Education Center, National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art (MMCA), in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on July 27, 2026. AJP Yoo Na-hyun 2026-07-27 14:28:41 -
Choi and Park lead 2027 FANOMENON briefing SEOUL, July 27 (AJP) - Co-chairs Choi Hwi-young and Park Jin-young are seated before a press briefing on the 2027 FANOMENON implementation plan at the Multi-purpose Space on Basement Level 1 of the Seoul Education Center, National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art (MMCA), in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on July 27, 2026. 2026-07-27 14:25:47 -
Kyung Hee University and Jeonju Vision University Support International Students' Employment and Entrepreneurship Universities are taking innovative steps to not only attract international students but also to cultivate them into skilled professionals needed by local industries. Kyung Hee University and Jeonju Vision University have received high praise for establishing a comprehensive support network that systematically develops the core competencies of international students, ranging from local Korean language schools to matching them with regional companies. Their successful models may offer new solutions for communities facing population decline and businesses struggling with labor shortages. On July 27, the Education Ministry announced the results of the "2026 Foreign Student Employment and Entrepreneurship Excellent University Contest," selecting six outstanding universities. This contest aimed to connect policies that previously focused solely on attracting international students with employment, entrepreneurship, and local retention, while identifying and disseminating exemplary models. The evaluation focused on employment support, entrepreneurship support, local retention support, and global network establishment for international students, assessing the strategies' effectiveness, specificity, and potential for expansion. After intense competition, Kyung Hee University and Jeonju Vision University were awarded the top prize, while Kangwon National University, Kyungbok University, Kyungsung University, and Chungnam National University received excellence awards.Kyung Hee University, which won the top prize in the general university category, was recognized for its tailored system for international students, the "KHU-PASS Core Competency Certification System." This system integrates 25 diverse extracurricular programs with core competency frameworks, facilitating students' academic adaptation, career planning, and job preparation. Notably, the use of "digital badges" stands out. Kyung Hee University quantifies program completion results based on difficulty and participation time, awarding digital badges (185 issued per semester) that can be directly utilized in resumes, significantly enhancing the visibility of international students' job-seeking activities. A university representative stated, "Kyung Hee University operates various employment and entrepreneurship programs to support students' entry into society. We have also implemented policies considering the stable academic environment and future local retention of international students. This award is a recognition of our programs and an opportunity to refine our future policies." Jeonju Vision University, which received the top prize in the junior college category, presented a model for building a "virtuous cycle ecosystem for local retention" in response to the population decline and youth outflow in the Jeonbuk region. The university has established the "Saemangeum Korean Language School" in Myanmar and Vietnam in collaboration with the Jeonbuk International Cooperation Agency to attract talented individuals with verified Korean language skills. To promote local retention among current students, Jeonju Vision University has implemented social integration programs, one-on-one matching with excellent local companies, and close support for obtaining region-specific visas, achieving remarkable results with 54 employed graduates (42.8%) and 85 local residents (67.5%). The comprehensive support network from recruitment to development and job matching was a decisive factor in their selection for the award. Additionally, the four universities that received excellence awards also presented tailored models linked to local industry demands. Kangwon National University established a support system encompassing employment and housing in collaboration with local governments and corporations, while Kyungsung University created a job support center for international students directly under the university president, fostering a global talent circulation ecosystem. Chungnam National University showcased a step-by-step verification model centered on practical entrepreneurship and corporate projects, and Kyungbok University, a junior college, received praise for incorporating the demand of the K-Medical Beauty industry into its curriculum, establishing pathways for internships and employment with partner hospitals.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-27 14:24:00 -
Nvidia Invests $1.48 Billion, Becomes Third-Largest Shareholder in Naver Nvidia is set to invest 1.48 trillion won ($1.48 billion) to become the third-largest shareholder in Naver. This partnership is evolving beyond a simple GPU supply relationship into a capital and technology alliance focused on artificial intelligence (AI) factory operations and shared corporate value.On July 27, Naver announced it would issue 7,241,564 common shares to Nvidia through a third-party allocation capital increase. The new share price is set at 204,500 won per share, with the expected total amount raised being approximately 1.48 trillion won. This marks Naver's first third-party allocation capital increase in 22 years.With this investment, Nvidia will secure about 4.5% of Naver's shares, making it the third-largest shareholder after the National Pension Service (8.09%) and BlackRock (6.02%). Naver plans to buy back and retire 1 trillion won worth of its own shares on August 3 to enhance shareholder value.This investment follows a June agreement between the two companies to establish a gigawatt-scale global AI factory. Naver intends to use the funds raised for new AI factory projects, with plans to invest approximately 5 billion won this year, increasing to 692 billion won in 2027 and 783 billion won in 2028.The overall project, valued at $10 billion (approximately 14.6 trillion won), will see Naver secure GPU supply from Nvidia while also collaborating with Brookfield, an alternative asset manager, to procure data center and power infrastructure.With this investment, Naver aims to shift its business model from a service-centric infrastructure to a revenue-generating structure that provides AI computing resources to external companies and governments. Its subsidiary, Naver Cloud, is also in discussions with Nvidia regarding an 'AI Compute Partnership.' Naver plans to operate a large-scale cluster of up to 100,000 GPUs to actively target the sovereign AI market based on GPU as a service (GPUaaS). 2026-07-27 14:24:00
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Park Jin-young unveils 2027 FANOMENON plan SEOUL, July 27 (AJP) - Co-chairs Park Jin-young enters the venue during a press briefing on the 2027 FANOMENON implementation plan at the Multi-purpose Space on Basement Level 1 of the Seoul Education Center, National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art (MMCA), in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on July 27, 2026. 2026-07-27 14:23:39 -
Incheon airport braces for summer rush with nearly 4 million travelers SEOUL, July 27 (AJP) -South Korea's main gateway is preparing for one of its busiest summer holiday periods on record, with nearly 3.8 million passengers expected to pass through Incheon International Airport over just 17 days as inbound tourism continues to rebound. Incheon International Airport Corp. said Monday it expects about 3.77 million passengers to use the airport between July 25 and Aug. 10, averaging 222,000 travelers a day, up 1.9 percent from 3.70 million during the same period last year. The busiest day is forecast to be Aug. 2, when a combined 234,273 arriving and departing passengers are expected to pass through the airport. Arrivals are projected to peak that day at 121,812 travelers, while departures reached their highest level on July 25 with 120,951 passengers. The airport operator said travel patterns have shifted in recent years, with South Koreans increasingly concentrating overseas trips around the Lunar New Year and Chuseok holidays, while the July-August peak season is being driven more by a rise in international visitors to South Korea, increasing congestion at arrival facilities. To cope with the surge, the operator has rolled out a special summer transport and operations plan covering passenger services, terminal management, transportation and safety. At Terminal 2, quarantine inspection facilities in the arrivals hall have been relocated to create additional waiting space and ease congestion for inbound international travelers. The airport has also installed 99 new multilingual wayfinding signs to help arriving and transit passengers navigate the terminals more efficiently. Language services have been expanded, including pilot operation of four information kiosks at Terminal 1 supporting voice guidance in four languages and text guidance in 12 languages. Autonomous guide robots are also being deployed in departure halls at both terminals. To speed departures, major security checkpoints will open 30 minutes earlier than usual, while up to 44 CT X-ray security screening units — 19 at Terminal 1 and 25 at Terminal 2 — will be operated during peak periods. The airport is also expanding dedicated Smart Pass departure lanes from four to five and assigning more than 120 additional staff to manage passenger flows and assist travelers using automated check-in and security procedures. 2026-07-27 14:21:48 -
JW Marriott Jeju Wins Two Awards at APEC Luxury Dining Event JW Marriott Jeju Resort & Spa has redefined the dining experience by incorporating Jeju's culture and nature, achieving remarkable success in the global market.At the 2025 GM & Hotel Awards, organized by Marriott International for the Asia-Pacific region excluding Greater China, JW Marriott Jeju was honored in the luxury brand category. The resort won awards for both 'Food & Beverage Innovation Leadership General Manager' and 'Highest F&B Revenue Growth.'This recognition comes from among 750 Marriott International hotels across 22 countries in the Asia-Pacific region, including 130 luxury brands. The resort has been praised for integrating local ingredients and storytelling into luxury dining, providing a unique culinary experience while achieving substantial revenue growth and establishing a sustainable business model.◆ The Power of Storytelling in Dining: From Haenyeo Tales to La Liste RecognitionSince its opening in 2023, JW Marriott Jeju has treated the food and beverage sector as a vital journey to convey the deep allure of Jeju. The resort has emphasized a differentiated dining experience inspired by seasonal ingredients, local producers, and Jeju's unique lifestyle.This approach has garnered international attention. Through the 2025 Marriott International Luxury Dining Series 'Forgotten Flavors' project, the restaurant 'Yeoumi' showcased a menu that tells the stories of Jeju's haenyeo (female divers) and local producers. This initiative was also featured in the Netflix series 'Ed & Ryu: Twelve Seas,' produced by BBC Studios, reaching a global audience.Additionally, the wood-fired grill dining restaurant 'The Flying Hog' has solidified its culinary reputation by being listed in the prestigious 'La Liste World Top 1000 Restaurants' for two consecutive years, from 2025 to 2026.◆ Expanding Content for Community Engagement: Prioritizing Customer ExperienceThis year, JW Marriott Jeju has further expanded its culinary offerings to include local cultural experiences. Since early July, the resort has been collaborating with the Jeju Tourism Organization to operate a premium wellness program called 'Journey Through Jeju Forest.' This program combines the healing forest of Seogwipo with Jeju's traditional lunch culture, 'charong,' to provide experiential content that merges nature and food culture.Starting in August, the resort will completely revamp its breakfast service. A new buffet system will be introduced, reflecting the diverse nationalities and characteristics of guests, as well as seasonal themes, to enhance the food and beverage experience tailored to customer needs.Lee Min-young, General Manager of JW Marriott Jeju, stated, "This award is the result of innovation created by all team members to reinterpret Jeju's culture and stories into a differentiated culinary experience. The efforts of our staff, from employees to managers and leaders, have set a new standard for global luxury dining. We will continue to present food and beverage experiences that incorporate the unique culture of the region."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-27 14:20:00
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SK Hynix's Dollar Sales Boost Korean Won Amid Government Encouragement SK Hynix's recent dollar conversion from its U.S. stock listing has sparked a wave of dollar sales among domestic companies. As the won strengthens due to increased dollar supply, the government is accelerating efforts to encourage exporters to bring overseas funds back home and convert them into won. According to Bloomberg on July 27, SK Hynix raised $26.5 billion (approximately 38.8 trillion won) through its American Depositary Receipt (ADR) listing. ADRs allow foreign companies to trade their shares on U.S. exchanges. It is reported that SK Hynix has converted some of the dollars raised into won, contributing to the appreciation of the won in the foreign exchange market. Steven Lee, an economist at Meritz Securities, noted, "The movement initiated by SK Hynix has spread to dollar sales across various companies. As the won continues to strengthen, firms that had delayed converting foreign currency earnings have started selling dollars." The won has appreciated by about 6% against the dollar this month. After being the weakest among major Asian currencies in the first half of the year, the won recorded the second-highest increase in Asia in July. Despite foreign investors net selling approximately 13.6 trillion won in the KOSPI market this month, domestic companies' dollar sales have partially offset the downward pressure on the won caused by foreign capital outflows. Hanwha Ocean is also reported to have sold about $2 billion (approximately 2.9 trillion won) in dollar forward contracts earlier this month. Market speculation suggests that Hanwha Ocean may engage in further sales. Forward contracts allow companies to sell dollars they expect to receive in the future at a predetermined exchange rate, helping to mitigate the risk of a decline in the won's value against the dollar, which would reduce the won value of export revenues. According to the Bank of Korea, domestic exporters and importers sold $17.4 billion (approximately 25.4 trillion won) more in forward contracts than they bought in the second quarter, marking the largest net sale in 18 years. The government is also leveraging exporters' dollar sales to stabilize the won's value. Heo Chang, the second vice minister of the Ministry of Economy and Finance, met with representatives from major exporting companies last week, urging them to actively convert export revenues and foreign currency deposits, and to facilitate the inflow of overseas retained earnings into the domestic market. Participants in the meeting included representatives from Samsung Electronics, SK Hynix, Hyundai Motor, Kia, HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering, Hanwha Ocean, and Samsung Heavy Industries. The government also requested these companies to expand measures to reduce exchange rate fluctuation risks, such as forward contract transactions. Moon Ji-sung, the director of international economic management at the Ministry of Economy and Finance, predicted that corporate dollar sales would continue to increase in the third quarter. He remarked on the recent trend of dollar sales, saying, "This is not just a passing shower; it marks the beginning of a rainy season." * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-27 14:20:00
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Health Insurance Faces 5 Trillion Won Deficit, Urgent Reforms Needed 올해 건강보험 재정이 5조원대 적자로 돌아설 것이라는 암울한 전망이 나왔다. 급격한 고령화에 따른 의료비 지출 폭증과 정부 지원금 지급 구조의 불확실성이 겹치며 건강보험 재정 건전성에 거대한 경고등이 켜진 것이다. 이에 정부는 건강보험료의 상한선과 하한선을 동시에 올려 재정 충격을 완화하겠다는 '부과체계 개편안'을 내놓았다. 하지만 미봉책 성격이 짙은 이번 개편만으로는 눈앞에 다가온 재정 고갈의 파도를 막아내기 역부족이라는 지적이 나온다.지난 26일 보건복지부 건강보험정책심의위원회 소위원회에 보고된 부과체계 개편안의 핵심은 보험료 상한선과 하한선의 연동 및 인상이다. 현재 직장가입자의 월 보험료 상한액은 약 848만원, 하한액은 약 1만9700원 수준으로 동결되어 있었으나 정부는 이를 임금 상승률 및 수수가격 등과 연동해 정기적으로 상향 조정하는 방안을 추진하기로 했다.이번 조치로 인해 고소득 직장인의 부담 증가는 피할 수 없게 됐다. 통계적으로 상한액 적용을 받는 월 소득 1억1000만원 이상의 초고소득 직장인(전체 직장가입자의 약 0.02~0.03%)의 경우 상한선 인상에 따라 연간 수백만 원에서 수천만 원에 달하는 건강보험료를 추가로 내야 하는 상황에 직면한다. 동시에 최저 보험료를 적용받는 하위 소득층 직장인 역시 하한선 인상에 따라 다소간 부담 증가가 불가피해졌다. 수치상 전체 가입자 대비 영향을 받는 대상의 비율은 일부에 집중되어 있지만 고소득층에 대한 징수 강화로 재정 수입을 즉각 확충하겠다는 정부의 계산이 깔려 있다.문제는 5조원이라는 막대한 적자가 발생한 본질적 원인이다. 건보 재정 악화는 단순한 징수액 부족 때문이 아니다. 세계에서 가장 빠른 속도로 진행되는 초고령화로 인해 65세 이상 고령층의 의료비 지출이 전체 건보 수가 지출의 40% 이상을 차지할 만큼 급증했다. 여기에 보장성 확대 정책에 따른 비급여의 급여화, 과잉 진료와 도덕적 해이, 매년 반복되는 국고 지원금의 한시적 유효기간 논란 등이 종합적으로 작용한 결과다. 수입(Revenue)의 미세 조정만으로는 지출(Expenditure)의 폭발적 증가를 감당할 수 없는 구조다.전문가들 역시 이번 개편안에 대해 단기적인 재정 메우기용 처방에 불과하다고 입을 모은다. 고소득자의 부담을 늘리는 것은 당장 수입을 일부 늘릴 수는 있지만 소득 재분배의 형평성 논란을 부추길 수 있다. 현행 건보 제도의 가장 큰 문제점은 '많이 내고 적게 쓰는' 구조가 아니라 지출 통제 장치와 자격 관리 시스템의 부실에 있다. 무임승차를 방지하지 못하는 피부양자 제도, 일부 외국인 가입자의 혜택 남용, 3차 병원으로 쏠리는 의료 전달 체계의 난맥상 등이 재정을 끊임없이 누수시키고 있다.합리적 대안은 수입 확대와 지출 효율화를 동시에 추진하는 '근본적 구조개혁'이다. 우선 피부양자 자격 요건을 실질 소득 및 재산 기준으로 대폭 강화해 '소득 있는 곳에 보험료 있다'는 원칙을 엄격히 적용해야 한다. 또한 행위별 수가제의 한계를 극복하고 가치 기반 의료 및 성과 중심 수가제로의 전환을 서둘러 과잉 진료의 고리를 끊어야 한다. 건보 재정에 대한 정부의 국고 지원 비중을 법적으로 명확히 하고 항구화하여 재정 예측 가능성을 확보하는 일도 시급하다.건강보험은 국민 건강권을 지키는 마지막 보루이자 사회안전망이다. '지출 구조개혁 없는 보험료 상한선 인상'은 국민의 반발만 부를 뿐이며 지속 가능한 해법이 될 수 없다. 정부와 국회는 건보료 부과체계 개편을 넘어 지출 통제와 구조개혁을 포함한 거시적 판짜기에 즉각 나서야 한다. 2026-07-27 14:20:00