Aju Press - Asia News Hub

Journalist

Latest by

Love, legacy and the price of a chaebol divorce SEOUL, July 26 (AJP) -There is no shortage of Korean dramas built around chaebol heirs falling in love against the odds. Real life has produced stories just as compelling — except that the endings are often written not by scriptwriters but by judges. Record 944 billion won ($680 million) divorce award involving SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won and former wife Roh Soh-yeong last Friday has added another chapter to the small club of Korea's most consequential corporate breakups, where failed marriages have altered family fortunes, tested succession plans and redefined the legal treatment of billionaire wealth. Unlike television dramas, where romance typically triumphs over wealth and family opposition, Korea's real-life chaebol love stories have often unfolded under relentless public scrutiny, ending in courtroom battles over corporate empires worth trillions of won. The SK saga: A marriage that united business and politics Few unions carried greater symbolic weight than the marriage of Chey Tae-won and Roh Soh-yeong. When they married in 1988, Chey was the son of SK founder Chey Jong-hyun while Roh was the daughter of then-President Roh Tae-woo, creating one of Korea's most influential power couples. Over nearly three decades, Roh stood beside Chey as SK evolved from a domestic energy company into one of the world's most valuable AI memory chipmakers. Their marriage unraveled publicly after Chey disclosed that he had fathered a child outside the marriage and sought divorce in 2017. After years of legal battles culminating in Thursday's remand ruling, the Seoul High Court ordered Chey to pay Roh 944 billion won in cash while recognizing her 33.3 percent contribution to the couple's jointly accumulated wealth over almost 30 years of marriage. The finalized award is the largest publicly disclosed property settlement involving a Korean business family. It follows an earlier appellate ruling in 2024 ordering Chey to pay 1.38 trillion won, which was later overturned by the Supreme Court after it found errors in the lower court's reasoning regarding former President Roh's alleged political slush funds. Samsung's Cinderella romance Long before the SK divorce dominated headlines, another corporate romance had captured the country's imagination. Hotel Shilla President Lee Boo-jin, the eldest daughter of late Samsung Chairman Lee Kun-hee, fell in love with Lim Woo-jae, then a Samsung security employee. Their 1999 marriage was widely portrayed as a rare Cinderella story inside Korea's most powerful conglomerate. The fairy tale ended in 2014 when Lee filed for divorce. During the proceedings, Lim reportedly argued that Lee's personal fortune exceeded 2.5 trillion won and sought more than 1.2 trillion won in property division—the largest publicly known claim in a Korean divorce at the time. The Supreme Court ultimately upheld a property settlement of roughly 14.1 billion won in 2020, a tiny fraction of the amount sought. Legal observers widely interpreted the outcome as reflecting the court's view that Lee's Samsung shareholdings were not subject to division. Lee Jae-yong and Lim Se-ryung: A quiet ending Not every chaebol romance ended in years of courtroom drama. Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Jae-yong and Daesang Vice Chairwoman Lim Se-ryung divorced in 2009 after 11 years of marriage. The case was settled through mediation within days after proceedings began, and financial terms were never disclosed. Both went on to become prominent business leaders in their own right, with Lee leading Samsung Electronics and Lim emerging as one of Korea's most influential female executives. A retail heir and a television star One of Korea's most talked-about celebrity-business marriages brought together Shinsegae Group Chairman Chung Yong-jin and actress Ko Hyun-jung. The marriage, which attracted enormous public attention, ended in 2003 through mediation only hours after divorce proceedings began. Reports at the time said Chung agreed to pay 1.5 billion won in alimony while retaining custody of the couple's children. The details of any property division, however, were never made public. The gaming founder who paid in shares One of the few founders to divide company ownership rather than cash was NCSoft founder Kim Taek-jin. When his marriage ended in 2004, Kim transferred a 1.76 percent stake in the online game developer to his former spouse. The shares were valued at roughly 30 billion won at the time, making it one of Korea's earliest high-profile examples of equity-based divorce settlements involving a technology entrepreneur. The next blockbuster case Legal and business circles are already watching what could become Korea's next landmark corporate divorce. Smilegate Chief Visionary Officer Kwon Hyuk-bin, whose fortune is estimated at around 8 trillion won, is scheduled to receive a first-instance ruling on Sept. 9 in a divorce case filed in 2022. Local media have reported that his wife is seeking roughly half of his Smilegate shareholding. Following the precedent set in the Chey-Roh litigation, the case is expected to test whether Korean courts are increasingly willing to treat founder-controlled equity in privately held technology companies as marital property. What links these stories is not simply celebrity or wealth. Each has raised difficult questions about how courts value contributions made outside the boardroom, whether family-controlled shareholdings should be divided after decades of marriage, and how personal relationships can reshape the ownership of some of Korea's largest corporations. For a country where chaebol families have long inspired television romances, reality has proved every bit as dramatic—only the scripts are written in court judgments, measured in billions of won, and capable of altering the future of corporate empires. 2026-07-26 14:24:34
Government and Seoul City Diverge on Housing Supply Solutions The South Korean government and Seoul city are at odds over housing supply solutions. While they agree on the need to utilize industrial areas and transit zones, they differ on the supply entities and development methods.According to reports from the government and Seoul city, President Lee Jae-myung expressed concerns during a national discussion on real estate policy on July 23, stating that it is difficult to find new land for housing in Seoul. He questioned the housing supply effects of redevelopment and reconstruction projects, noting, "While reconstruction can increase the number of households, it does not seem to significantly increase the total number of units, but rather the size of the units. In redevelopment, it seems common for the total number of households to decrease."Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon countered the following day, acknowledging the reality that there is no more land to build homes in Seoul, but he rejected the notion that the supply effects of redevelopment and reconstruction are negligible. He claimed that through the city's ongoing redevelopment projects, more than 310,000 housing units are expected to break ground by 2031, with a net increase of about 87,000 units once all projects are completed.The gap between the two sides was evident during a private meeting on July 24 between Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Kim Yoon-deok and Mayor Oh. The ministry is discussing plans to increase housing in the Yongsan International Business District to around 10,000 units, while Seoul's current plan stands at 6,000 units. The city insists that considerations for international business functions and infrastructure such as schools and transportation must be taken into account, and they did not reach an agreement on the supply scale that day.On the other hand, both sides align on increasing housing supply through the repurposing of industrial areas and the utilization of vacant land. During the discussion, it was suggested that underutilized industrial and commercial areas should be converted to mixed-use residential and industrial purposes, and that the conversion of non-residential land to residential use should be expanded based on public contributions. President Lee responded positively to a proposal to convert vacant knowledge industry centers and commercial spaces into residential facilities for public rental by the Korea Land and Housing Corporation, stating, "We will expedite this process."Seoul is currently pursuing projects to increase the residential floor area ratio in industrial areas that have already been converted to residential use, allowing for up to 400% increases. The city is working on projects in 32 locations that could yield approximately 27,000 housing units. Areas that still retain industrial functions will be enhanced as high-tech industrial and business hubs, while residential areas will see increased supply through redevelopment and mixed-use development. However, since many of these projects involve redevelopment and reconstruction, Seoul views the utilization of industrial areas as part of a broader strategy for high-density urban development, contrasting with the government's focus on selective conversion of underutilized non-residential land.Transit zones also represent common ground. President Lee announced plans to prioritize high-quality long-term rentals in transit areas for middle-class families, similar to public housing. Seoul is expanding transit-oriented development across the city, incentivizing private mixed-use development in exchange for securing long-term rental housing and infrastructure.Based on the president's statements and discussions from the forum, the government appears to emphasize selective supply and public rentals, such as the conversion of underutilized non-residential facilities and long-term rentals in transit areas. In contrast, Seoul focuses on enhancing the viability of private redevelopment projects and mixed-use developments while securing a portion of the profits for long-term rental housing and infrastructure.As concerns about housing shortages in Seoul grow, experts suggest that regular consultations between the government and the city are necessary to align on target sites, development density, and public contribution standards. Ko Jong-wan, from the Korea Asset Management Institute, stated, "Looking at Taereung, the Yongsan Maintenance Depot, and the Gwacheon Racecourse, a regular consultation body between the central government and local government is needed, especially for the Ministry of Land and Seoul to meet once a month."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-26 14:24:00
South Korean Government Expands K-Brand Challenge to Include Fashion and Lifestyle Brands The South Korean government is expanding its K-Brand Challenge to support the overseas expansion of clothing (fashion) and lifestyle brands.On July 26, the Ministry of SMEs and Startups announced that it will recruit nine small businesses to participate in the K-Brand Challenge from July 27 to August 7. This initiative aims to identify small consumer goods companies with high growth potential and nurture them into export firms with global competitiveness.Originally launched in 2024 as the K-Beauty Creator Challenge, the program has been renamed the K-Brand Challenge this year, broadening its focus to include fashion and lifestyle sectors. This change reflects the growing global demand that has expanded from K-Beauty to encompass K-Fashion and K-Lifestyle consumer goods.Eligible candidates include domestic companies with beauty, fashion, or lifestyle brands, or new exporters with less than $5 million in export revenue from the previous year. A total of nine companies will be selected through preliminary, main, and final rounds, with three companies chosen from each category.The selected companies will receive opportunities to participate in domestic and international pop-up stores, consultations with overseas buyers and investors, and export support initiatives such as online marketing assistance and priority selection for export vouchers and overseas certification.Shim Jae-yoon, Director of Global Growth Policy at the Ministry of SMEs and Startups, stated, "We will increase policy support to ensure that promising small businesses can expand their excellent products into overseas markets, enhancing the status of K-Brands and leading small business exports."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-26 14:24:00
Government Plans Overhaul of Real Estate Tax System The government is expected to undertake a comprehensive overhaul of the real estate tax system, addressing both property ownership and disposal stages. The comprehensive real estate tax and capital gains tax benefits, which have been broadly applied to single-homeowners regardless of property value, are likely to be re-evaluated.To mitigate the concentration of investment demand in high-value single homes, known as the 'one good house' phenomenon, the government is considering increasing the tax burden on high-value single-homeowners and imposing limits on the number of times or amounts eligible for capital gains tax exemptions for single-homeowners.According to government and real estate industry sources on July 26, the government is preparing detailed proposals for property taxes and capital gains taxes ahead of a tax reform announcement scheduled for early next month. President Lee Jae-myung emphasized during a national discussion on real estate policy on July 23 that future policy design should focus on clarifying the targets for property taxes, the levels of increases, and the differential methods of application.In the medium to long term, the reform is expected to protect typical residential single-homeowners while imposing heavier tax burdens on high-value homes, non-residential properties, and multiple-homeowners. The current system, which has differentiated tax burdens solely based on the number of homes owned, will be restructured to reflect the value and intended use of the properties.A basic tax burden will be established based on typical home prices, with potential adjustments based on actual residency, property value, intended use, and location. This approach aims to alleviate the burden on low- and middle-income single-homeowners and regional properties while applying heavier weights to luxury and high-value homes, as well as non-residential properties held for investment.If the government implements this differential taxation, significant changes to the current comprehensive real estate tax calculation system are anticipated. The tax system is expected to shift from being based on the number of homes owned to the total assessed value of the properties, which could increase the tax burden for high-value single-homeowners while altering the burden structure for those owning multiple lower-value homes.Currently, the comprehensive real estate tax provides a basic exemption of 120 million won for single-homeowners and 90 million won for other individuals. The structure applies different tax rates based on the number of homes owned, meaning that the number of properties held has a significant impact on the tax rate.Long-term holding and senior citizen tax deductions for single-homeowners are also expected to be key issues in the reform. Under the current system, single-homeowners who meet the long-term holding and senior citizen criteria can receive a reduction of up to 80% of the calculated tax amount. Even with the same deduction rate, the actual reduction amount increases with higher property values.As a result, there may be proposals to set a cap on deductions for high-value single homes or to lower the deduction rate for properties that are not actually occupied. Discussions are also expected to focus on more stringent requirements for residency duration in the deduction criteria. However, there are concerns that the process of finely dividing deduction targets could complicate the system excessively and increase disputes between taxpayers and tax authorities.Significant changes are also anticipated for capital gains taxes imposed when selling a home. During the recent discussion, proposals were made to limit the capital gains tax exemption for single-homeowners to once in a lifetime or to impose a cap on the total amount eligible for lifetime exemptions. President Lee acknowledged that the current structure, which provides unlimited benefits, may have issues and indicated the need to consider limits on the number of times or amounts eligible for exemptions.Currently, single-homeowners are generally exempt from capital gains tax on sales of up to 1.2 billion won if they have owned the property for more than two years. If the property was in a designated adjustment area at the time of acquisition, they must also meet the two-year residency requirement. Once the criteria are met, homeowners can receive the exemption each time they change homes, with no limit on the number of times.However, there is strong opposition to uniformly limiting the number of tax-exempt transactions, as it could hinder normal residential mobility. Critics argue that it could excessively restrict citizens' housing rights by suppressing the demand for moving based on life cycles.Concerns have also been raised about potential side effects that could lead to increased demand for larger homes. If opportunities for tax exemptions are limited, actual demand may concentrate on higher-priced, larger properties. This could paradoxically exacerbate the 'one good house' phenomenon that the government aims to curb.Experts warn that without a nuanced distinction based on ownership purpose and tax capacity, a blanket increase in taxation could repeat past issues of property lock-up and concentration in key areas. Lee Eun-hyung, a researcher at the Korea Construction Policy Institute, stated, "If measures to suppress demand, such as increased property taxes, transaction taxes, and loan regulations, are strengthened, transactions may shrink, but housing prices are influenced by various factors such as supply, location, and liquidity, making short-term price stabilization uncertain. In particular, if property taxes are raised without addressing transaction taxes, property lock-up could worsen, necessitating a balanced tax design that considers both ownership and transactions."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-26 14:24:00
Hoban Construction Wins Contract for Gunpo Geumjeong 3 Redevelopment Project Worth 230 Billion Won Hoban Construction has secured the construction rights for the Geumjeong 3 redevelopment project in Gunpo, Gyeonggi Province, accelerating its expansion in urban redevelopment projects in the metropolitan area.The company announced on July 26 that it has been selected as the construction firm for the Geumjeong 3 redevelopment project, which is being developed in the area of 766 Geumjeong-dong, Gunpo.This project will consist of six buildings, ranging from four underground floors to 35 above-ground floors, with a total of 656 apartment units and community facilities. The total construction cost is approximately 230 billion won.The site is conveniently located near Geumjeong Station, which serves as a transfer point for subway lines 1 and 4, as well as Gunpo Station and Sanbon Station. The opening of the GTX-C line in the future is expected to further improve transportation conditions. Additionally, the site is close to Geumjeong IC, making it easy to access major areas in Seoul and the metropolitan region.The educational environment is also favorable, with nearby schools including Gunpo Yangjeong Elementary, Gunpo Middle, Geumjeong Middle, and Gunpo High School. Access to the academy districts in Pyeongchon and Sanbon is also excellent. The area is well-equipped with green spaces such as Han-eul Park, Dangdong Park, and Geumjeong First Children's Park, as well as essential facilities like Gunpo City Hall and large supermarkets, contributing to a positive living environment.Notably, large-scale urban redevelopment projects are underway in the Sanbon and Geumjeong areas, raising expectations for future improvements in the residential environment. Hoban Construction has expanded its portfolio in the Gunpo area by securing the Geumjeong 3 project, following its acquisition of the Gunpo 10 district redevelopment project in 2018.A representative from Hoban Construction stated, "Geumjeong 3 is a key redevelopment site in Gunpo with an excellent location and future growth potential. We will leverage our accumulated experience and technical expertise in urban redevelopment to carry out the project stably and create a brand complex that represents Gunpo with differentiated products and designs."Earlier this year, Hoban Construction also won contracts for the reconstruction project in the Gojan 6 district of Ansan and the street housing maintenance projects in the Myeonmok 6-3, 4, and 5 districts in Seoul.Meanwhile, on July 23, the Hoban Group held a communication program called 'Connecting Day,' where new employees and management shared insights on organizational culture and work experiences.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-26 14:24:00
Interview: Director Choi Jeong-kyu on the Hopeful Ending of 'Donggung' Director Choi Jeong-kyu, known for his meticulous craftsmanship in genre dramas like 'The Devil Judge' and 'Red Moon Blue Sun,' has shifted his focus to the royal palace of Joseon in the Netflix series 'Donggung.' The show explores a mystery set in the world of spirits, where a palace maid with secrets investigates a curse that haunts the king. By blending the distinctly Korean theme of shamanistic beliefs with fantasy action, 'Donggung' achieved remarkable success, ranking second in the global Top 10 non-English shows just three days after its release. Choi's unique directorial style has captivated global audiences with the series' haunting undertones. "Rather than focusing on ratings, I am grateful for the viewership. As a creator, my hope was for many people to enjoy it, so I feel thankful for the interest it has garnered since its release," Choi said. When he first encountered the expansive world built by writers Kwon So-ra and Seo Jae-won, Choi felt a mix of excitement and challenge. "My initial thought was, 'This will be fun.' I believed the content would be interesting, and from a creator's perspective, it seemed like a challenging and thrilling project. At that time, I didn't fully grasp how complex and difficult it would be, so I first thought about how to make it visually appealing," he explained. One of the biggest challenges was visually realizing the 'world of spirits' that serves as the backdrop for the drama. The production team engaged in intense discussions to create a space that felt both connected to reality and distinctly different. "From the beginning, we agreed that while we wanted the world to look different from the real one, it should still reflect elements of reality. The concept was clear, but the technical and visual implementation became a point of contemplation for me as the director," Choi noted. Some viewers have drawn comparisons between the 'world of spirits' in 'Donggung' and the upside-down world in Netflix's 'Stranger Things.' "I was surprised to hear the comparison to 'Stranger Things.' It's an excellent work, and I feel honored, but it wasn't a visual reference for us. However, we did discuss the sense of adventure in which characters navigate through various situations, and titles like 'Stranger Things' and 'The X-Files' came up. For visual representation, we sought basic imagery from legends and myths about hell and the afterlife. We aimed for a vibrant color palette in the real world, while the spirit world was dominated by a single color concept, like red, purple, or yellow. We also shot the same space in different seasons to create distinct feelings—spring and summer for reality, and winter for the spirit world," he explained. Behind the stunning visuals was a strong collaboration with the cinematography and lighting teams. Despite the high reliance on visual effects (VFX), the team chose to emphasize the inherent strength of the subjects rather than solely depending on technology. They built separate sets for the real and spirit worlds to create a tactile difference. "I learned a lot from cinematographer Park Jeong-hoon and lighting director Kim Seung-kyu. Both started their careers in historical dramas, and since I have also worked on many, we discussed how to express beauty in a fantasy based on Korea's past. We concluded that rather than embellishing too much, we should confront the subjects and landscapes directly. Instead of thinking, 'This can be solved with VFX,' we approached it with the mindset that 'this is it, without VFX.' While we did use a lot of VFX, we set a principle to minimize reliance on it from a blank slate. We first created the art and real sets, then applied retouching or overlays as needed. The sets for the spirit world and corridor scenes were built separately to create different color and texture perceptions, even slightly tilting columns and floors to evoke subtle differences that the audience might not consciously notice," he said. In the series, the character Geumak-sari, who communicates with the protagonist Gucheon, had to balance between being endearing and eerie. Choi aimed to lend credibility to the character through its design. "Designing Geumak-sari was quite challenging. Other spirit characters have relatively clear roles, but Geumak-sari needed to be a friendly presence to both Gucheon and the audience while also having the ability to transform and assist. I pondered how to create that credibility and drew inspiration from the textures of statues, clay figures, and earth. The original story had a dark image, so I developed it with a sense of earth and stone. Since this character needs to interact continuously with Gucheon, cuteness was also an important element. The writers mentioned that they found cuteness in the line where Geumak-sari repeatedly says, 'I am Geumak-sari.' I believe that influenced how the character was structured in the script," he said. Leading actors Nam Joo-hyuk (as Gucheon) and Noh Yoon-seo (as Saenggang) displayed a high degree of synchronization with their characters, providing a solid foundation for the series. "I see Gucheon as a very lonely character. He grumbles, but ultimately, he bears all the burdens himself. He navigates between life and death, fulfills his duties, and accepts his fate. I felt a good understanding of this character during the casting discussions with Joo-hyuk. He is a bright and playful person, yet he also has a cool and reliable demeanor, with moments of loneliness reflected in his eyes. Most importantly, I felt his sincerity towards the work and character. Yoon-seo, on the other hand, seemed to have a sense of overcoming challenges, even though she didn't appear to struggle in her previous work. I was curious about the source of that, and when I met her and worked together, I found her to have a very straightforward and bold charm. Her simplicity and directness were impressive," Choi shared. Veteran actors like Jang Young-nam and Jo Seung-woo provided the weight of traditional historical drama, while the two leads brought a relatively modern tone to their performances. This contrast arose naturally from the relationships between the characters. "I think the contrast came from the positions and relationships of the characters rather than being intentional. Seung-woo and Young-nam play characters who engage in formal and political discussions, while Gucheon is inherently that type, and Saenggang, despite being a princess, becomes closer to Gucheon, altering their distance. That contrast likely became more pronounced. I believe both of them would excel in any role, not just historical dramas. Young-nam had to shoot high-energy scenes in a short period, and despite the exhausting circumstances, her eyes lit up whenever the camera was rolling, which I found truly impressive. The scene where she had to perform with a twisted mouth was particularly challenging," he noted. During filming, a major fire incident forced the team to rebuild the set. However, Choi explained that such accidents ultimately strengthened the bond among the crew. "The fire was significant, so it posed challenges. I believe we had to rebuild the set we had constructed. Still, I am grateful that no one was injured. The production company, Netflix, and the staff encouraged me, which helped us overcome the situation. Many people shed tears, but seeing them tell me, 'It's okay, let's stay strong,' made me realize I needed to pull myself together," he said. As the series concludes with a poignant ending, anticipation for a potential second season is growing among viewers. Instead of providing a definitive answer, Choi responded with affection for the characters. "Regarding whether the ending was designed with a sequel in mind, I believe that as a creator, it's not the first thing to consider. My primary concern was to do everything we could now and hope that many people would love it. However, in discussions with the writers about the ending, we talked about how the characters had gone through so much hardship and suffering, and we wondered if there could be a glimmer of hope. While the situation in the palace hasn't completely changed, the ending reflects a desire for a bit of hope for them in the darkness," he concluded. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-26 14:16:00
Hyundai Motor Group Strengthens AI Collaboration in San Francisco Hyundai Motor Group is enhancing its collaboration with the innovation ecosystem in San Francisco, USA, focusing on artificial intelligence (AI). The company has also announced its long-term plan, the 'Physical AI Vision,' which aims to achieve integrated intelligence at the city level through the intelligence of individual devices such as automobiles and robots, as well as specific spaces.According to industry sources on July 26, the San Francisco Bay Area, home to Silicon Valley, is a global innovation hub where leading tech companies, startups, research institutions, and universities are interconnected. This region is where Hyundai Motor Group is actively pursuing industry-academic-research collaborations for its transition to Physical AI. The group is exploring future technologies and strengthening its research and development capabilities while engaging in various collaborations that encompass talent, culture, and academia.On July 24, during the 'San Francisco AI Summit,' Hyundai Motor Group Chairman Euisun Chung unveiled the Physical AI vision, which outlines the company's evolution from an automobile manufacturer to a platform company that transforms lifestyles. The vision extends beyond the intelligence of individual devices like cars and robots to the intelligence of specific spaces, ultimately aiming for integrated intelligence at the city level. The plan is to design urban infrastructure that creates new value as mobility, work, and living spaces change in the AI era.To accelerate the implementation of Physical AI, Hyundai Motor Group plans to combine its strengths in manufacturing, mobility, and robotics with the software, AI infrastructure, and algorithm capabilities of major U.S. tech companies. Specifically, the group aims to strengthen strategic collaborations with global tech giants such as NVIDIA, Waymo, and Google DeepMind.Hyundai Motor Group also announced plans to establish a 'robot reference platform' that integrates NVIDIA's Physical AI technology and to invest in the Saemangeum AI Valley, aiming to enable a new leap for the domestic industry and technology ecosystem based on innovation in robotics and AI.Since establishing 'Hyundai Ventures' as a global open innovation hub in Silicon Valley in 2011 and rebranding it as 'Hyundai Cradle' in 2017, the group has been identifying promising startups in future technology fields such as AI, autonomous driving, robotics, smart cities, and eco-friendly energy, linking them to its business areas to secure future growth engines.Recently, the group has strengthened its research and development capabilities in future mobility by establishing a new organization under the AVP headquarters in Silicon Valley.The newly established AVP Silicon Valley will be led by Jeremy Ma, who has a distinguished background in autonomous driving, robotics, vision, and systems integration from his experience at NASA, Apple, Toyota Research Institute (TRI), and NVIDIA. He will be responsible for integrating technologies in autonomous driving, robotics, and AI.In September, Hyundai Motor Group will host the 'HMG Tech Talent Forum' in Silicon Valley. This event will invite top talents in key technology fields such as AI, software, robotics, and future mobility to introduce the group's future vision and technological innovations, providing opportunities for direct interaction with key leaders and research and development personnel.Participants will have the chance to directly observe Hyundai Motor Group's future strategies and technological competitiveness while exploring the direction of future industries and potential collaborations with the group's core leaders. The forum will also feature the group's first integrated recruitment program.Hyundai Motor Group is expanding its collaboration with the innovation ecosystem in San Francisco in the fields of culture and science. In April, the group established a strategic partnership with the Exploratorium, a world-renowned interactive science museum representing San Francisco, to promote a culture of inquiry based on fundamental science. Through this partnership, Hyundai Motor Group plans to create an interactive science museum at its Global Business Complex (GBC) by 2032.Through its ongoing innovation efforts in San Francisco, Hyundai Motor Group aims to actively prepare for the new industrial paradigm of Physical AI. The recently unveiled Physical AI vision reflects the group's commitment to connecting technology with people, objects, mobility, and daily life, supporting a new future for human life.A company official stated, "We will expand the realm of future mobility through innovations that integrate autonomous driving, robotics, AI, and software, and contribute to humanity and future society as a leading company in the Physical AI era based on collaboration with the global innovation ecosystem."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-26 14:12:00
Seong-kyu Seo Criticizes People Power Party's Opposition to Criminal Procedure Law Reform Seong-kyu Seo, the Chairman of the Judiciary Committee from the Democratic Party, criticized the People Power Party on July 26 for opposing the amendment to the criminal procedure law, which aims to abolish supplementary investigative powers. He questioned, "Do they still have lingering attachments to Prosecutor Yoon Suk Yeol? The People Power Party, which hinders just judicial reform, will face the judgment of history."In a Facebook post, Seo condemned Jung Jeom-sik, the People Power Party's floor leader, for obstructing prosecutorial reform and urged immediate participation in the "just reform of the criminal procedure law." He emphasized, "The cause of prosecutorial reform lies with Yoon Suk Yeol, his avatar, and the People Power Party, which is Yoon Again."Seo explained that the core of the amendment is to ensure that prosecutors properly charge cases investigated by the police and request supplementary investigations from the police to maintain prosecutions.He added, "Prosecutors will request supplementary investigations from the police, who investigated the case, in cases of referral, and in cases of non-referral, they can request supplementary investigations from other police or agencies like the Serious Crimes Investigation Agency."Furthermore, Seo stated, "This amendment aims to ensure that prosecutors do their jobs and police do theirs, protecting victims more robustly by listening to their stories and pursuing and punishing criminals to the fullest extent."He continued, "The law ensures that prosecutors and police cooperate effectively and hold each other accountable when necessary, preventing any potential collusion between them. I call on everyone to join in this just judicial reform. I condemn the People Power Party for abandoning the National Assembly for a month. It is time for legislation that enforces no work, no pay."Meanwhile, Floor Leader Jung stated on Facebook, "If the abolition of supplementary investigative powers passes a vote in the National Assembly and President Lee Jae-myung even gives up his right to request reconsideration, that will mark the moment the government and ruling party will fall together."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-26 14:00:00
Van Plows Into Berlin Pride Festival, Leaving 1 Dead and 16 Injured A van crashed into a crowd at a Pride festival in Berlin, killing one person and injuring at least 16 others.According to the Associated Press, the incident occurred around 10 p.m. local time on July 25, when a white van entered Tiergarten Park and struck festival participants before colliding with a tree. One person died, and at least 16 were injured, with some reported to be in critical condition.Police have identified the suspect but have not yet made an arrest. Florian Natt, a spokesperson for the Berlin police, stated, "The suspect is known to the police and is linked to individuals in the Islamic community in Berlin. We are currently pursuing him with all available resources."However, Natt noted that there is still no confirmed information regarding the suspect's specific motive, the exact circumstances of the incident, or the role he played. Authorities are investigating whether the incident was a planned attack and if there were any accomplices.Witnesses reported that some victims appeared to have stab wounds. Police have interviewed witnesses overnight but have not confirmed whether there was a separate stabbing incident in addition to the van attack.The incident occurred near the route of the Pride parade, known as Christopher Street Day, which was taking place in Berlin at the time.Following the incident, Berlin authorities halted the festival and concert that were ongoing at the Brandenburg Gate. Police urged participants to leave the area immediately and avoid passing through Tiergarten Park to allow emergency services access.Hundreds of thousands attended the event, which featured around 80 parade vehicles marching through the city. More than 2,200 police officers had been deployed for safety during the festivities.Berlin Mayor Kai Wegner condemned the attack, stating, "A peaceful and vibrant march was brutally attacked in the name of tolerance and peace in Berlin. This is an attack on our free and open society."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-26 13:56:00
Pulmuone's 'Korean Kimchi' Thrives in the U.S. with 12.3% Sales Increase in First Half of 2026 Pulmuone is continuing its growth in the U.S. kimchi market by exporting 'Korean Kimchi' produced in Iksan, North Jeolla Province.According to Pulmuone, the kimchi sales of its U.S. subsidiary increased by 12.3% in the first half of this year compared to the same period last year. This growth is attributed to the mention of kimchi in the U.S. government's dietary guidelines announced in January, along with a strategy of diversifying product lines and expanding distribution channels.Pulmuone maintains its strategy of exporting authentic kimchi made at its global kimchi factory in Iksan instead of producing locally. A unique 'Kimjang Cool System' is employed to preserve optimal fermentation during long-distance distribution.The product lineup has also diversified from primarily vegan napa cabbage kimchi to include traditional salted seafood kimchi, food service-specific kimchi, and private label products for major natural markets.Local marketing efforts are ongoing. At the '2026 Natural Products Expo' held in March, Pulmuone collaborated with Chef Edward Lee to showcase dishes featuring kimchi. Since 2021, the company has hosted the 'Korean Heritage Night' event twice a year in partnership with the Montgomery Biscuits minor league baseball team to engage with local consumers.Pulmuone plans to expand its presence in major retail chains while also introducing localized sauce products such as kimchi hot sauce and seasonings.Joo Gil-soo, CEO of Pulmuone's U.S. subsidiary, stated, "Interest in kimchi has increased significantly since the U.S. government's dietary guidelines were announced. We will continue to diversify our product lineup and expand new distribution channels to solidify our position in the U.S. kimchi market."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-26 13:52:00