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KOSPI Falls 0.85% as Foreign and Institutional Investors Sell Over 2 Trillion Won The South Korean stock market closed lower on September 15, pressured by simultaneous selling from foreign and institutional investors. The KOSPI started the day weak but appeared to recover slightly before declining again in the afternoon, finishing at the 6627 level. In contrast, the KOSDAQ rose by 0.70%, showing relatively strong performance. On this day, the KOSPI closed down 57.11 points (0.85%) at 6627.26. The KOSDAQ ended up 5.62 points (0.70%) at 812.41. The KOSPI opened at 6659.25, down 25.00 points (0.38%) from the previous trading day. Although it briefly reduced its losses and turned positive during the session, the selling pressure from foreign and institutional investors intensified, leading to a larger decline. In terms of trading volume, foreign investors sold a net 1.5735 trillion won, while institutions sold 904.4 billion won in the KOSPI. Conversely, individual investors bought a net 832.4 billion won, helping to support the index. In the KOSDAQ, institutions purchased a net 110.7 billion won, and foreign investors bought 24.1 billion won, while individuals sold 139.8 billion won. Among the top market capitalization stocks, Samsung Electronics fell by 0.20%, and SK Hynix dropped by 0.41%. Samsung Electro-Mechanics and Hyundai Motor also declined by 1.50% and 1.21%, respectively. Samsung Biologics decreased by 0.56%, while KB Financial and Samsung Life Insurance saw significant drops of 3.19% and 4.19%, respectively. On the other hand, Samsung Electronics preferred shares rose by 2.02%, and LG Energy Solution increased by 3.98%. SK Square closed unchanged. In the KOSDAQ, stocks related to secondary batteries and some robotics and semiconductor companies showed strength. EcoPro rose by 3.56%, and EcoPro BM increased by 2.98%, while Rainbow Robotics gained 3.09%. IOTech and Simtech also saw increases of 4.32% and 0.64%, respectively. Conversely, JUSUNG Engineering fell sharply by 6.41%, and Wonik IPS and Lino Industry dropped by 1.54% and 1.23%, respectively. Alteogen and Robotis closed unchanged. Lee Kyung-min, a researcher at Daishin Securities, noted, "While there were no new negative factors, the additional rise in interest rates and oil prices, along with perceptions of pre-emptive pricing, led to a weakening of buying forces. In the context of heightened concerns about interest rate hikes ahead of the September Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting, the market is more sensitive to negative news than positive developments." He added, "Nevertheless, the possibility of the KOSPI maintaining support around the 6600 level remains valid."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-15 15:40:00 -
Anyang Mayor Choi Dae-ho Celebrates National Recognition of Bandabi Sports Center Choi Dae-ho, the mayor of Anyang, expressed his pride on September 15 regarding the recognition of the Anyang Bandabi Sports Center as an outstanding sports facility, stating, "It is meaningful to receive national recognition just two years after opening." On this day, Mayor Choi noted that the Anyang Bandabi Sports Center was awarded the Korea Disabled Sports Association President's Award after being selected as an outstanding facility in the '2026 Excellent Disabled Sports Facility and Disability-Friendly Public Sports Facility Certification Project' organized by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Disabled Sports Association. The mayor's initiatives to expand sports welfare for people with disabilities are yielding visible results. The evaluation process assessed disabled sports facilities nationwide based on the operation of disability programs, accessibility, facility safety management, and the utilization of sports vouchers for people with disabilities. The Anyang Bandabi Sports Center received high marks for continuously developing and operating tailored programs that reflect the needs of disabled users. Currently, the center offers 88 tailored courses, including 39 recreational sports programs such as basketball and table tennis, and 49 cultural and health programs like cooking and pottery, with an average of 238 visitors each day. To enhance accessibility, the center has extended its operating hours to 8 p.m. on weekdays and 2 p.m. on Saturdays, allowing citizens to utilize the sports facilities in their daily lives. Opened in October 2024 at the Anyang Complex Cultural Center for the Disabled in Anyang 6-dong, the Bandabi Sports Center is operated by the social welfare organization 'Helping People.' In just two years since its opening, the center has been recognized as an outstanding facility in a national evaluation, marking a significant achievement in Mayor Choi's emphasis on expanding participation in sports activities for people with disabilities and implementing community-centered welfare policies. Mayor Choi has focused his policy efforts on expanding infrastructure to ensure that socially vulnerable groups, including people with disabilities, are not excluded from sports and cultural activities, and on creating an environment where both disabled and non-disabled individuals can enjoy recreational sports together. One citizen using the center remarked, "It used to be difficult for people with disabilities to find a comfortable place to exercise, but now I can access various programs nearby, which is satisfying. I hope Anyang continues to expand such facilities." A family with a disabled child shared, "Not only has our child gained opportunities to exercise, but there is now a space for them to interact with others, which is the best part. We hope the programs will diversify based on user feedback in the future." Mayor Choi emphasized, "We will continue to develop this into an open sports space for both disabled and non-disabled individuals to use together." Meanwhile, the award ceremony and certification presentation for the outstanding facility selection will take place in mid-September.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-15 15:40:00
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Baemin to Advance 36.7 Billion Won in Settlement Payments Ahead of Chuseok Baemin's operator, Woowa Brothers, announced on the 15th that it will advance approximately 36.7 billion won in settlement payments to its partner businesses ahead of the Chuseok holiday. The early payments will apply to all partners utilizing food services such as store delivery, Baemin delivery, and pickup orders, as well as commerce services like Baemin shopping and Baemin market. Under normal circumstances, settlement payments for sales made on the 21st would be received after the Chuseok holiday on the 28th. However, with this early payment initiative, partners will receive their funds two business days later, on the 23rd. Baemin has a tradition of conducting early settlements during major holidays like Chuseok and Lunar New Year. Last year, the company advanced 38.3 billion won in settlement payments ahead of the Chuseok holiday. Choi Seong-gil, head of the Payment Settlement Product Division at Woowa Brothers, stated, "We have decided to expedite the settlement payments this Chuseok so that many business owners can enjoy a prosperous holiday. We will continue to do our best to provide practical support to our partners." Additionally, Baemin has been a leader in establishing settlement systems that support small business stability. In April 2019, it became the first delivery platform to implement a daily settlement system for its partners, and in 2022, it reduced the settlement cycle from four days to three.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-15 15:40:00
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KT Cloud to Supply AI Data Centers Tailored to Customer Needs by 2031 KT Cloud is refining its business strategy to supply Artificial Intelligence Data Centers (AIDC) tailored to customer preferences in terms of location and timing. The company aims to establish over 20 sites by 2031, providing more than 1GW of AIDC infrastructure in both metropolitan and non-metropolitan areas.On September 15, KT Cloud held the 'KT Cloud Summit 2026' at the Grand InterContinental Seoul Parnas, where it unveiled its cloud and AIDC strategies to corporate and public sector clients and partners.Public Cloud Head Gong Bon-joon presented a strategy to connect multi and hybrid cloud environments into a single operating system centered around the KT Cloud platform. KT Cloud plans to integrate its public cloud with Microsoft Azure, private clouds, and on-premises environments, allowing customers to manage these diverse settings as a unified cloud. The integration will encompass account and permission management, portals, monitoring, and cost visibility, with a goal to complete a 'single cloud experience' by early 2027.Gong explained the difference between hybrid and composite clouds, noting that the latter involves selecting and combining resources based on operational needs rather than merely connecting them. In the AI era, it is becoming common to combine different computing resources and models according to specific work characteristics.The concept of Composite AI takes this further, focusing on connecting data, computing resources like GPUs and NPUs, AI models, applications, and agents into a single execution system. Gong stated, "AI services are evolving to be composed of multiple models, data, and computing resources rather than relying on a single model."AIDC to Supply Over 1GW of Infrastructure by 2031In its AIDC business, KT Cloud is adopting a strategy that varies site locations and scales according to customer demand while increasing supply capacity. DC Head Choi Ok-jin revealed a roadmap to provide over 1GW of AIDC infrastructure across more than 20 sites by 2031.Choi emphasized, "The competitiveness of AIDC lies in supplying the necessary scale at the desired location and time for customers," stating that rather than concentrating on a single large data center, the company will build 1GW of infrastructure optimized for the characteristics of metropolitan and non-metropolitan areas, customer requirements, and AI workloads.In the metropolitan area, KT Cloud will expand clusters based on existing data centers. Yeouido will cater to the ultra-low latency demands of the financial sector, while Mokdong will enhance services for corporate clients. The Bucheon and Cheongna areas will be developed as hubs for large-scale AI capacity needed by domestic and international big tech companies, while Ansan and Yongin will focus on high-density GPU AIDC facilities.In non-metropolitan areas, AIDC development will align with regional characteristics. The Gyeongsang region, centered around Busan, will strengthen connections with global networks, while areas with excellent power and scalability will see AIDC built in forms preferred by neo-cloud providers.KT Group Accelerates Infrastructure Linking Networks and AIDC to Support CustomersAt the group level, KT is accelerating the construction of infrastructure that connects AIDC with networks. The company plans to integrate submarine cables, terrestrial networks, domestic ultra-low latency backbone networks, AIDC, and AI edges in industrial settings to operate a distributed AI infrastructure as a cohesive ecosystem.As AIDC becomes distributed across various regions, synchronizing data between GPUs in data centers and facilitating large-scale data transfers will be crucial. Therefore, KT will establish dedicated ultra-high bandwidth and ultra-low latency connections for AIDC. The terrestrial networks connected to submarine cables will diversify beyond Busan to include Jeju, and the AI edges connecting domestic AI data centers with industrial sites will also expand.Through this approach, KT aims to provide a unified offering of AI data centers, connecting infrastructure, and AI services in industrial settings to corporate clients. KT Enterprise Service Head Jeong Myung-jun emphasized, "The KT Group's ability to provide an end-to-end solution by integrating submarine cables, terrestrial networks, domestic connections, AIDC, and AI edges is a distinctive capability."In his welcoming remarks, KT Cloud CEO Kim Bong-kyun stated that under KT's vision as an 'AX Platform Company,' KT Cloud will be responsible for the core infrastructure necessary for implementing AX, including cloud and AIDC.Kim noted, "The KT Cloud Summit is a platform for customers to find AX execution strategies tailored to their needs and connect them to business outcomes. We will combine our accumulated cloud and AIDC technologies and operational experience with the KT Group's core AX infrastructure and partner expertise." He added, "We will support customers from strategy formulation to infrastructure construction, operation, and enhancement, ensuring that AX translates into tangible business results."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-15 15:36:20
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Kyungdong Navien Launches Subscription Service for 'Navien Bath Care' with Discount Offers Kyungdong Navien announced on September 15 that it is launching a subscription service for its bathroom air quality management solution, 'Navien Bath Care,' and introducing a 'bundle discount' for customers who subscribe to multiple products.In July, Kyungdong Navien expanded its air quality management offerings to include bathrooms with the launch of 'Navien Bath Care.' This solution integrates four modes—dehumidification, warm air, drying, and ventilation—to effectively manage humidity, cold air, and odors in the bathroom. The dehumidification mode efficiently handles moisture generated after showers, while the warm air, drying, and ventilation modes help create a comfortable environment tailored to bathroom usage.To complete its subscription system for overall home air quality management, Kyungdong Navien has introduced the Bath Care subscription. Recognizing the importance of hygiene and maintenance in air quality solutions, the subscription includes professional care services every six months, which cover product inspections, internal and external cleaning, filter washing, sterilization, and deodorization services.Additionally, the bundle discount allows customers to utilize their environmental solutions more economically. By subscribing to two or more products, such as a dehumidifying ventilation purifier, a 3D air hood, and Bath Care, customers can manage indoor air quality more cost-effectively.Meanwhile, Kyungdong Navien has been expanding its subscription services since launching a ventilation purifier in 2023.Kyungdong Navien stated, 'As a provider of living environment solutions, we will continue to offer subscription-based solutions that encompass air quality management, heating, and restful sleep, creating a more comfortable living environment for our customers.'* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-15 15:36:10
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Airfare Prices Rise Amid Surge in Global Oil Prices Global oil prices have surpassed $100 per barrel, impacting airfare costs. Following a significant increase in international fuel surcharges in September, the pricing assessment for October will conclude today.On September 15, Brent crude was trading at around $107 per barrel on the ICE Futures Exchange, while West Texas Intermediate (WTI) was priced in the $103 range on the New York Mercantile Exchange (NYMEX). Concerns over supply have been heightened due to attacks on Saudi Arabian energy facilities and disruptions in east-west pipeline operations.For airlines, jet fuel prices are a direct cost variable, more so than crude oil prices. According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), the recent weekly average global jet fuel price rose to $181.46 per barrel, a 6.1% increase from the previous week. IATA forecasts that global airline fuel costs will reach $350 billion this year, a 39.3% increase from last year, raising the share of fuel costs in total operating expenses from 25.4% to 31.4%.The rise in jet fuel prices has already been reflected in September's international airfare. The average price of jet fuel in Singapore from July 16 to August 15, which serves as the basis for September's fuel surcharge, was $149.29 per barrel, up 25.4% from the previous assessment period's $119.06. This increase caused the surcharge levels to jump from 14 to 21.Korean Air has applied a fuel surcharge ranging from 48,000 to 354,000 won for one-way international flights departing from Korea this month. For long-haul routes such as New York and Washington, the surcharge increased by 94,800 won, from 259,200 won to 354,000 won for a round trip. As a result, the total burden has risen by 189,600 won. Asiana Airlines also raised its one-way fuel surcharge to between 52,000 and 290,100 won during the same period.Attention is now focused on the international fuel surcharge for October. This surcharge is determined based on the average jet fuel price in Singapore from the 16th of the month before last to the 15th of the previous month. Therefore, the prices reflected for October will be based on the period from August 16 to September 15.For domestic flights, the surcharge for October has already been set. Korean Air has established the domestic fuel surcharge at 29,000 won for one-way flights, the same as in September. Domestic surcharges are calculated based on the average jet fuel price in Singapore from the 1st to the end of the month before last, meaning the recent surge in September oil prices will not affect the October rates.It is important to note that fuel surcharges are applied based on the ticket issuance date, not the actual flight date. If the surcharge increases after the ticket is issued, the difference will not be collected, and if it decreases, no refund will be provided.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-15 15:36:10
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Korea and Germany Discuss Fiscal Policies to Address AI, Low Birth Rates, and Aging Population Cho Yong-beom, Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Economy and Finance, met with a delegation from the German Bundestag Finance Committee to discuss the long-term fiscal conditions and key financial issues facing both countries.During the meeting on September 15, Deputy Minister Cho exchanged views on the direction of fiscal policy and major policy tasks with the delegation, which included Christian Görke, acting chair of the Bundestag Finance Committee, and seven other committee members.This meeting was organized to share perspectives on the long-term fiscal conditions of both nations and to exchange policy experiences regarding common structural challenges, such as the transition to artificial intelligence (AI) and issues related to low birth rates and an aging population.Deputy Minister Cho emphasized the need for an active fiscal role to enhance growth potential and mitigate polarization amid rapid structural changes in the economy and society, particularly with the swift restructuring of industrial sectors centered around AI. He also noted the importance of managing national debt sustainably in the long term.Both sides discussed the impact of demographic changes, such as low birth rates and an aging population, on national finances. Cho introduced Korea's long-term national development strategy, which aims to address these structural challenges by 2045.The efficient use of limited resources in budget planning was also a key topic of discussion. Cho explained that the 2027 budget proposal includes bold and strategic investments in areas that enhance growth potential while implementing rigorous expenditure restructuring in underperforming sectors, aiming to secure both growth and fiscal soundness.In response, Görke, the acting chair, explained that Germany is also working to balance fiscal discipline with future investments while expanding investments in defense, infrastructure, and digital sectors. He expressed agreement with Korea's strategic fiscal management direction and noted that the meeting was a meaningful opportunity to share fiscal policy directions and experiences between the two countries.The Ministry of Economy and Finance plans to continue expanding international discussions on key fiscal management directions and to strengthen policy communication and cooperation with governments, parliaments, and international organizations in major countries.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-15 15:36:00
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Kim Min-seok: Responsibility for Approval Rating Recovery Lies with the Party Kim Min-seok, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, emphasized on September 15 that the responsibility for the recent decline in approval ratings for President Lee Jae-myung and the party lies primarily with the party itself. He urged the need to demonstrate the capabilities of a competent ruling party and called for a focus on preparations for the 2028 general elections.During a meeting of provincial party leaders held at the Democratic Party's headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul, Kim stated, "Now is the time for the party to take action. We must take responsibility in our relationship with the government and begin to halt the ongoing decline in approval ratings and initiate a rebound."He noted, "The party and the nation have been propelled forward by the president's personal leadership. However, due to various shortcomings during the June 3 local elections, the results did not meet expectations. The end of the first-year honeymoon period and the need for a comprehensive policy adjustment have contributed to the drop in approval ratings."Kim acknowledged that various internal and external challenges continue to drive the decline in approval ratings but expressed optimism, stating, "The bottom is approaching. I consider this week, marking one month since the party convention, as the critical point for reversing the decline in ratings." He added, "In this process, we cannot rely solely on the president or the government; the party must proactively implement bold and responsible reforms."Additionally, Kim argued that the party should enter a 'general election preparation system.' He remarked, "The day after this party convention, the general election effectively begins. It is advisable for provincial parties to consider that their election task forces have already commenced operations." He also mentioned regions like Seoul and Gangwon's Gangneung City, where by-elections are expected, and stressed the need to strengthen the meeting of provincial party leaders to accelerate election preparations.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-15 15:32:00
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Kakao to End Independent AI App 'Kanana' and Shift Focus to KakaoTalk Kakao is set to terminate its independent artificial intelligence (AI) app, 'Kanana.' The company aims to enhance its AI services centered around KakaoTalk.On September 15, Kakao announced that the Kanana app and PC services will be discontinued on October 15, 2026. Launched in May 2025 in beta form, Kanana is a conversational AI service designed to assist users in their daily lives through interactions with AI companions named 'Kana' and 'Nana.'During its 1.5 years of operation, Kanana tested various AI features, including voice-based conversations, an 'AI Studio' for image generation, and a 'Special Mate' for vehicle maintenance reservations.Kakao plans to leverage the technological capabilities and insights gained from the beta service to develop new AI offerings. The experiences and technologies acquired from Kanana will be integrated into Kakao's other AI services.Notably, Kakao's AI strategy is becoming more focused on KakaoTalk, which has a large user base. Instead of attracting users to separate AI services, the company aims to connect AI companions and ChatGPT-based features within KakaoTalk, along with services from external partners.One example is 'Kanana in KakaoTalk,' officially launched in March. Kakao is also expanding the practical application of AI technology through 'ChatGPT for Kakao' and 'PlayMCPI,' which connects external services with AI agents.A Kakao representative stated, "As AI services rapidly evolve and become integrated into users' daily lives, we plan to work towards providing a more advanced AI experience." 2026-09-15 15:32:00
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Korea dreams big on humanoids, but they still run on foreign parts SEOUL, September 15 (AJP) - South Korea's humanoid robots hardly look like formidable competitors beside their free-wheeling Chinese counterparts, and their awkward moves betray a much deeper problem. Despite South Korea's much-hyped push to become an artificial intelligence powerhouse, its physical AI ecosystem remains fledgling, short of both scale and a homegrown supply chain. Aei Robot, one of the country's leading bipedal robot makers, is largely forced to fend for itself, machining the frame, actuators and a gearless linear drive for its Alice humanoid line at its own factory in Ansan, south of Seoul. "We build the parts ourselves, because otherwise we can't control the price," said Kim Ho-jung, the company's marketing manager. "But take a motor — there are rare earths in it, and that's the materials layer. We can't make that here at all, so it's imported." The Hanyang University spin-off comes closer to building a humanoid entirely in-house than almost any Korean rival. Tally the machine up part by part, however, and a stubborn share still has to be sourced from abroad. South Korea localizes only about 40 percent of the core parts used in its robots. It sourced 88.8 percent of the permanent magnets used in robot motors from China last year and buys much of its precision reducers and controllers from Japan, according to a January report from the Korea International Trade Association. Japan's Harmonic Drive Systems and Yaskawa Electric together command 60 percent to 70 percent of global markets for key robot components. "Korea has outstanding robot utilization capability, but faces structural limits from its heavy overseas dependence on core materials and components," said Jin Sil, a senior research fellow at the association's Institute for International Trade. Localization was largely a matter of industrial ambition until late July. Then it became a condition for selling new robot models into the United States. The Federal Communications Commission put foreign-produced advanced robotic devices on its Covered List on July 28, blocking new U.S. equipment authorizations for humanoids, quadrupeds, autonomous mobile robots and other covered platforms regardless of the manufacturer's nationality. Absent conditional approval from U.S. authorities, a robot escapes classification as foreign-produced only if it is manufactured in the United States and domestic parts account for more than 65 percent of total component costs. The threshold rises to 75 percent in 2029. Parts Korea cannot make, rare-earth materials among them, complicate that arithmetic. The chip inside the robot complicates it further. "Nvidia Jetson goes in, Orin on one model, Thor on the next. That isn't ours," Kim said. "On a cost basis, that eats up a big share of the non-localized portion. I can't tell you that the whole thing is localized. I don't think that's even possible." Nvidia's Jetson computing platform runs many of the humanoids now coming out of China. AgiBot, Unitree, Galbot, Engine AI and UBTech all use Jetson platforms, as does Alice. Nvidia's Jetson T5000 module launched at $2,999 apiece for orders of at least 1,000 units. The same module now costs about $4,999 at that volume, a 67 percent jump that robot makers link to the AI-driven memory boom pushing up chip costs. South Korea is one of the world's dominant memory-chip producers. But the memory it excels at making cannot replace the processor sitting inside a humanoid's head. Neural processing units, or NPUs, offer a lower-power alternative to power-hungry GPUs. Rebellions and FuriosaAI, two of Korea's leading AI chip designers, have neither the production volume nor the robotics optimization to step in yet. The problem reaches beyond parts. Rainbow Robotics, the Samsung Electronics affiliate, has stopped shipping its RB-Y1 semi-humanoid to the United States. An order for dozens of units from a major North American customer has stalled, and the company cannot say when shipments will resume. Most Korean humanoid startups have not reached mass production at all, leaving them struggling to meet the new U.S. requirements before they have sold a single robot there. China is already operating on another scale. Chinese vendors shipped more than 30,000 humanoids in the first half of 2026, above the roughly 20,000 shipped in all of 2025, according to China's Humanoid Robot Scene Application Alliance, an industry body. South Korea had only hundreds of humanoids deployed last year, compared with an estimated 10,000 to 15,000 in China, according to Goldman Sachs. Aei Robot, which receives support from the industry ministry, has built more than 10 Alice units and booked commercial revenue on two, both sold to small manufacturers. The rest were supplied under state research projects that cover parts and labor but do not translate into commercial robot sales. Funding constraints extend into state research institutes. The Korea Institute of Machinery and Materials unveiled version 0.7 of its KAIROS humanoid on Sept. 7 and made a funding appeal at the same time. "We need at least 3 billion won ($2.21 million) budgeted, and we will answer it with results," said Park Chan-hoon, director of its AI Robotics Institute. China's overwhelming shipment numbers come with a caveat: much of the demand is created at home, often with the state itself helping generate the market. "The key performance indicator for the Chinese government is just the number of units," Kim said. "Through last year there were performance targets. From this year it's purely volume, print enough of them and the state will take care of the rest." "Once they've taken the market completely, they'll switch to backing only whoever survives the fight among themselves," he said. "They've already run that play with electric vehicles and solar, and I think they're running it again." South Korea is now preparing its own state-backed push to nurture an industry still learning to walk. Physical AI spending is set to climb to 3.1 trillion won next year from 900 billion won this year under the 2027 budget proposal approved by the Cabinet on Sept. 1. Of that, 500 billion won is earmarked for field trials across eight sectors, including manufacturing, construction, defense and care. The government also plans to deploy about 2,000 Korean-made AI robots, including 650 at research and education sites and 369 with police and fire services. The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy has budgeted 30 billion won to place 200 research humanoids at engineering schools and state institutes. Another 30 billion won would support deployment of 200 humanoids on factory floors. A new 37 billion won research program targets actuators, reducers and sensors, among the core parts Korea still relies on foreign suppliers to provide. Government spending on three core components designated for future industries — sensors, actuators and humanoid batteries — is set to rise to 62 billion won next year from 11.6 billion won this year. "We will actively support the private sector through the 2027 budget for future industry core components," said Huh Chang, second vice minister at the Ministry of Economy and Finance, during a Sept. 10 visit to robot maker Robotis in Seoul. None of it is money yet. The budget was submitted to the National Assembly on Sept. 3 and must still clear committee review and a floor vote. Separate tax incentives will also depend on an enforcement decree expected in February to determine the applicable rates. The longer-term potential is much bigger than today's production figures suggest. Goldman Sachs expects Korean companies to account directly and indirectly for 30 percent of global humanoid production by 2035, drawing on expertise in actuators, motors, sensors and dexterous hands already developed for the country's vast automotive and manufacturing industries. The bank estimates Korean supply chains could support about 74,000 humanoids by 2030. The industry ministry is now surveying government agencies and companies to find out how many of those robots they would actually buy. For an industry in which China can already count its machines in the tens of thousands, that may be the number that matters most. AJP Takeaways - Aei Robot builds the frame, actuators and linear drive of its Alice humanoid in house but imports its Nvidia Jetson compute module and China-sourced rare-earth magnets, and has booked revenue on two of the more than 10 units it has built. - The U.S. Federal Communications Commission added foreign-made humanoids and mobile robots to its Covered List on July 28, 2026, exempting only robots assembled in the United States with domestic content above 65 percent of component costs, which halted Rainbow Robotics' RB-Y1 shipments. - South Korea localizes about 40 percent of its robot core components and sourced 88.8 percent of its robot-motor permanent magnets from China in 2025, according to the Korea International Trade Association, with Japan supplying most precision reducers and controllers. - Goldman Sachs expects Korean companies to take 30 percent of global humanoid production by 2035, while SBB Tech, Korea's only full-cycle harmonic reducer maker, does not expect an operating profit before 2028. 2026-09-15 15:28:48