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  • Miss Grand Vietnam 2026 Swimwear Competition Sparks Controversy
    Miss Grand Vietnam 2026 Swimwear Competition Sparks Controversy The swimwear competition stage of the Miss Grand Vietnam 2026 pageant has ignited fierce debate following participant Emura Pham's pose in front of the pool. Some viewers criticized the display for being overly revealing, while others defended it as a simple gymnastic move that showcased individuality.According to the organizers of Miss Grand Vietnam 2026, the committee confirmed that one participant added or altered movements during the swimwear competition, which deviated from the dress rehearsal. They stated that they would enhance training, rehearsal, and oversight processes moving forward.Mixed Reactions to Poolside PoseThe controversy began during the swimwear segment, 'Best in Swimsuit,' held on July 23 in Ho Chi Minh City. In this round, participants introduced themselves with their names, numbers, and representing organizations while demonstrating stage presence, expression, and readiness in swimwear.The stage setup included participants pausing to pose for the camera. The second pose location was at the pool's edge, where most contestants struck relatively simple poses. In contrast, Emura Pham supported herself on the pool's edge and performed a push-up-like move, leaving a distinct impression compared to her peers.This scene quickly spread online after the event. A video of Emura Pham's walk and pose garnered over 500,000 views, 3,000 reactions, and hundreds of comments within just two hours. Some netizens pointed out that the exposure and emphasis on her physique were excessive, while others argued that it was merely a gymnastic move and that the criticism was unwarranted.Commentary was sharply divided. One user remarked, "It was more awkward than sexy," while another noted, "I had a good impression from previous performances, but this was too much." Conversely, some comments praised the beautiful background and the quality of the video, asserting that the poolside move was simply a gymnastic action that might have appeared provocative due to the bikini. Another user highlighted Emura Pham's mixed heritage and unique charm as a representative of Vietnam.Organizers Address the ControversyAs the controversy escalated, the organizers clarified that the participant's official stage movements differed from the pre-event checks. A committee representative told the Vietnam Youth Newspaper, "During rehearsals and dress rehearsals, the committee and professional panel require participants to adequately demonstrate their skills, movements, and stage intentions. Feedback, advice, and adjustments are made based on this to ensure the performance aligns with competition standards and overall direction."They added, "However, on the day of the official competition, one participant added or changed some movements compared to what was presented during the dress rehearsal." The committee explained that these changes might stem from the participant's stage strategy or creative attempts but emphasized that all performances must undergo concept review and rehearsal completion.The organizers also expressed their commitment to respecting participants' individuality and creativity. However, they stated that they would minimize changes outside of agreed-upon content to maintain the competition's professionalism, consistency, and program direction. The committee plans to incorporate audience and media feedback to ensure more organized and professional stages in future rounds.Meanwhile, Emura Pham reportedly did not make it into the top five of the Best in Swimsuit category despite the controversy. Born in 2000, her real name is Pham Chan Phuong. She was born to a British father and a Vietnamese mother and returned to Ho Chi Minh City after completing her studies in the United States. She graduated from the International School of Ho Chi Minh City and completed an Associate in Arts degree at Irvine Valley College in California. Since early this year, she has been preparing for Miss Grand Vietnam 2026 by learning Vietnamese and stage techniques.Miss Grand Vietnam 2026 marks its fifth season this year. The preliminary round took place on June 19 in Ho Chi Minh City, and the semifinals will be held on July 28 alongside the Grand National Costume competition. The finals are scheduled for July 31 in Ho Chi Minh City, where the winner will represent Vietnam at the Miss Grand International pageant in November 2027. 2026-07-24 17:00:00
  • AI boom rewrites Happy Forever in Koreas biggest divorce battle
    AI boom rewrites "Happy Forever" in Korea's biggest divorce battle SEOUL, July 24 (AJP) — A handmade birthday poster once wished SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won and Roh Soh-yeong "Happy Forever." Nearly four decades later, their marriage has ended in a 944 billion won ($642 million) property settlement shaped not only by family history and corporate succession, but also by an artificial intelligence boom that transformed the value of Chey's fortune. The Seoul High Court on Friday largely upheld its earlier landmark ruling in what has become known as South Korea's "divorce of the century," ordering Chey to pay Roh 944 billion won after reducing the property division from the 1.38 trillion won awarded in the previous appellate decision. The court reaffirmed that Chey's SK Inc. shares remain marital property subject to division while excluding 30 billion won linked to former President Roh Tae-woo, the ex's late father, from calculating her legal contribution, in line with last year's Supreme Court ruling. Yet the retrial became about far more than correcting an accounting issue. Between the original appeal and Friday's judgment, SK Inc.'s value surged alongside the global artificial intelligence rally as SK hynix emerged as one of Nvidia's most important suppliers of high-bandwidth memory chips. The judges directly addressed that extraordinary appreciation. "The respondent's share price rose sharply after the close of arguments in the previous appellate proceedings," the court said in an explanation released after the ruling. Rather than simply updating the valuation to reflect today's much higher market price, however, the court struck a middle ground. "The increase cannot be regarded as having been unaffected by the respondent's managerial contribution," it said. The judges concluded that allowing either spouse alone to capture gains or losses after the marriage had effectively ended would undermine the purpose of equitable property division. "If profits or losses arising from the disposition of shares after judicial divorce are attributed only to one spouse, it would not accord with the purpose of fairly liquidating and dividing marital property," the court said. Instead, the court kept the valuation date at the close of arguments in the original appellate proceedings but reflected the subsequent surge by adjusting the division ratio itself. It awarded Roh one-third of the marital estate while allowing Chey to retain the remaining two-thirds. "The substantial rise in the respondent's share price after the previous appeal is taken into account in determining the division ratio," the court wrote, adding that the appreciation also reflected "the respondent's managerial contribution." The judges further ruled that Chey should retain ownership of his SK Inc. shares because they underpin management control of South Korea's second-largest conglomerate. "The respondent shall continue to hold the shares, while the portion lacking in the applicant's share shall be compensated in cash." That leaves Chey facing a cash obligation of 944 billion won plus statutory interest after the judgment becomes final. AI turns domestic divorce into global corporate case The litigation has attracted attention far beyond South Korea because it unfolded alongside one of the biggest wealth creations in modern semiconductor history. SK hynix has become one of the world's largest beneficiaries of the AI boom through its dominance in high-bandwidth memory chips powering Nvidia's AI accelerators. This month the chipmaker raised about $26.5 billion through the largest U.S. equity offering ever completed by a foreign issuer. Its rise substantially increased the value of SK Inc., the holding company through which Chey controls the sprawling SK Group. Even after Friday's reduced award, Chey still faces nearly 1 trillion won in cash payments should the ruling stand, renewing market attention on whether SK Group could accelerate asset sales, including the long-discussed disposal of silicon wafer maker SK Siltron. A marriage that mirrored corporate Korea Chey and Roh married in 1988, uniting one of South Korea's most influential business families with the daughter of then-President Roh Tae-woo. Their marriage survived financial crises, corporate restructurings and Chey's imprisonment. While behind bars following his conviction for corporate crimes, Chey cemented his control over SK's holding company through the merger of two SK affiliates, strengthening his grip over the conglomerate. During that period he also wrote a 229-page book, New Exploration, Social Enterprise, arguing that governments should create incentives encouraging companies to solve social problems. He received his second presidential pardon in August 2015. Later that year, he publicly announced his intention to divorce after revealing he had fathered a daughter with another woman, bringing one of South Korea's highest-profile marriages to a dramatic end. Chey's partner, Kim Hee-young, who uses the English name Chloe, later established the T&C Foundation in 2018, a nonprofit supporting scholarships and educational programs. The couple made their first official public appearance together the following year. At the event, Chey reflected publicly on his personal life. "I reflected on my past and realized that I had lived my life wrongly," he said, adding that he had come to see himself as "a coldhearted businessman with zero sympathy." Formal divorce proceedings began in 2017 after efforts to reach a settlement failed. From $50 million to nearly $1 billion The family court in 2022 ordered Chey to pay Roh 66.5 billion won in property division and 100 million won in alimony, concluding that much of his SK-related wealth could not be treated as jointly accumulated marital property. Roh appealed the ruling, calling the award "a denial of women's commitment to the household." Her persistence dramatically changed the outcome. The Seoul High Court in 2024 increased the property award to about 1.38 trillion won and raised alimony to 2 billion won, finding that Roh's decades of child-rearing, household responsibilities and public role as the spouse of a chaebol chairman had materially contributed to the formation, maintenance and growth of the marital estate, including the value of Chey's SK Inc. holdings. The Supreme Court later upheld the divorce and the 2 billion won alimony award but sent only the property division issue back for reconsideration, ruling that 30 billion won linked to former President Roh Tae-woo could not legally be counted as Roh's contribution to the marital estate. Friday's judgment reduced the payment to 944 billion won, but preserved the central legal principle. "The shares held by the respondent constitute property subject to division," the court said, finding that both spouses contributed to "the formation, maintenance and increase in value" of those assets during their marriage. For Roh, the legal battle ultimately transformed what began as a 66.5 billion won ($50 million) award into one of the largest divorce settlements ever ordered in Asia. Even after the retrial reduced the previous record award, she emerged entitled to nearly 1 trillion won, vindicating her long-running argument that decades devoted to supporting one of South Korea's largest business empires deserved far greater recognition than the trial court had initially granted. "Happy Forever" For all the attention on AI, corporate control and billion-dollar shareholdings, the case ultimately traces the unraveling of a marriage that lasted nearly four decades. Before leaving the family home after 37 years, Roh wrote that the hardest item to pack away was not jewelry or artwork but a handmade birthday poster created by their three children. The drawing showed their parents dressed as a bride and groom beneath hearts and stars. Written underneath were two words that, in retrospect, became the most poignant line in South Korea's biggest divorce battle: "Happy Forever." 2026-07-24 16:59:02
  • Korean Pavilion in Busan Showcases Living Heritage
    Korean Pavilion in Busan Showcases Living Heritage On July 24, visitors to the Korean Pavilion at BEXCO in Busan experienced the vibrant essence of 'K-heritage.'The exhibition, titled 'Living Intangible Heritage,' featured artisans demonstrating their crafts, allowing attendees to engage with traditional culture. The expressions of those watching the artisans at work were serious, as they observed the delicate techniques. If there is a term for gazing at artifacts, the Korean Pavilion offered a similar experience called 'artisan gaze,' where visitors were captivated by the artisans' skilled hands.Jang Cheol-young, a master artisan, explained the process of creating Najeon, a traditional craft involving the intricate cutting of abalone shells to form beautiful patterns. A steady stream of visitors gathered in front of his demonstration area.Jang remarked, "Abalone shells are not just waste; in Japan, they are considered national treasures, yet Korea lacks national treasures related to Najeon."In addition to Jang, other artisans such as Park Myung-bae, a master of woodcraft, Kim Hye-jung, a master of traditional Korean paper, and Kang Jeon-hyang and Jeon Yeong-in, masters of traditional headgear, showcased their skills.Many families visited the exhibition, including Kwak Min-jeong, 47, who brought her second-grade child. She said, "I wanted my child to experience our cultural heritage. It's great that they can see and touch both tangible and intangible cultural assets firsthand."Some children returned to watch the artisans again after initially exploring the exhibition. Fourth-grader Kang Hyo-rim said, "There were too many people earlier, so I couldn't see well. Now that I'm back, the Najeon is so beautiful."The experiential programs were highly popular, with activities like making Najeon tumblers and horsehair necklaces fully booked shortly after opening. An official noted, "As soon as the doors opened, visitors rushed in to make reservations, and they filled up quickly."The Jin Gwan Sa booth was also bustling with families eager to create paper flowers, known as 'Jihwa.' A monk explained, "Jihwa are flowers made of paper. In the past, real flowers were rare, so people dyed paper flowers for offerings." The children's eyes sparkled with interest.Long lines formed in front of the K-heritage immersive exhibition, featuring media art installations like 'Time of Reflection,' 'Realistic Gyeongguk,' and 'Timeless Time.'Fifth-grader Ahn Chae-eun expressed her enjoyment, saying, "It was magical, and I loved the music. It made me think about how important it is to preserve our cultural heritage."The Korean Pavilion is an official exhibition set up to commemorate the 48th UNESCO World Heritage Committee meeting. It will operate at BEXCO's Exhibition Hall 1 until July 29, featuring a special exhibition with 35 participating institutions, 38 traditional performances, and various experiential programs. 2026-07-24 16:56:00
  • Government to Provide $6.5 Million in Emergency Support for Homeplus Workers
    Government to Provide $6.5 Million in Emergency Support for Homeplus Workers The government will support workers affected by wage arrears at Homeplus with advance payments for unpaid wages and living expense loans, while also offering management consultation for partner companies.Kang Gi-ryong, Deputy Minister of Finance, held a meeting on July 24 at the Government Seoul Complex with a dedicated task force to assess the situation of Homeplus employees and partner companies.According to the review, from July 3 to 23, following the court's termination of the rehabilitation process, the Ministry of Employment and Labor received 1,935 consultations through its one-stop counseling service.The government plans to guide Homeplus in resolving wage arrears promptly after securing DIP financing. Additionally, it will closely monitor the situation to prevent further occurrences of wage delays.Currently, the Ministry of Finance is providing up to 21 million won (approximately $18,000) in advance payments for unpaid wages and up to 10 million won (about $8,500) in living expense loans for affected workers. As of July 23, a total of 41 billion won (around $34 million) in living expense loans has been disbursed across 8,934 cases since the start of the rehabilitation process.Furthermore, 152 consultations for management difficulties have been conducted through the one-stop counseling service of the Small and Medium Business Administration. Additionally, as of July 23, a total of 6.5 billion won (approximately $5.5 million) in emergency management stabilization funds has been provided to small businesses.Emergency management stabilization funds for small and medium-sized enterprises will begin accepting applications on July 27. Homeplus partner companies will also be included in the emergency management guarantee support, extending the existing guarantee period by one year.Support has also been extended for loans to Homeplus partner companies. As of July 17, banks have provided 52 trillion won (about $43 billion) in maturity extensions and repayment deferrals, along with 19.1 billion won (approximately $16 million) in new emergency loans.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-24 16:52:00
  • K-pop impresario Park Jin-young shows off biceps in photos for new single
    K-pop impresario Park Jin-young shows off biceps in photos for new single SEOUL, July 24 (AJP) - K-pop singer and producer Park Jin-young on Friday shared several behind-the-scenes photos to promote his new single released the previous day. "WET" marks his first summer-themed single since "When We Disco," his 2020 collaboration with Sunmi, a former member of K-pop girl group Wonder Girls. The reggae-inspired track was also chosen as the main theme song for this year's "Waterbomb," one of South Korea's biggest summer music festivals. The photos show Park showcasing his choreography with dancers under red lighting during the single's music video shoot. His namesake agency, JYP Entertainment, said Park reduced his body fat percentage to below 10 percent for his return, showing off his biceps and toned physique. He wrote, composed and produced the single, describing it as "reggaeton with a Latin American sound that perfectly matches the heat of summer," and said it is about dancing until "your whole body is soaked in sweat." Park, who performed the song on Mnet's "M Countdown" the previous day, is set to appear at the Waterbomb festival in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province on Sunday. 2026-07-24 16:51:53
  • Woori Financial Reports Second Quarter Net Profit of 1.06 Trillion Won
    Woori Financial Reports Second Quarter Net Profit of 1.06 Trillion Won Woori Financial Group announced that it achieved a net profit exceeding 1 trillion won in the second quarter of this year.On July 24, Woori Financial reported a net profit of 1.046 trillion won for the second quarter, a 7.4% increase compared to the same period last year.This marks the second-largest quarterly profit in the company's history, following last year's third quarter profit of 1.244 trillion won. It is also the largest profit recorded for the second quarter.Compared to the first quarter of this year, which saw a net profit of 604.3 billion won, the second quarter profit represents a 66.2% increase. The first quarter profit had decreased by 2.1% year-on-year due to provisions set aside for overseas bank subsidiaries.The cumulative net profit for the first half of the year reached 1.609 trillion won, up 3.7% from the same period last year.A Woori Financial official stated, "Despite geopolitical instability in the Middle East and increased exchange rate volatility, the contribution of non-banking sectors has expanded, demonstrating the success of our transformation into a comprehensive financial group."The integration of the insurance company also positively impacted the results. The contribution of the non-banking sector in the first half was 22.3%, more than three times the 6.9% recorded last year.Woori Investment & Securities reported a net profit of 24.7 billion won for the first half, a 44.2% increase from 17.1 billion won in the same period last year. Woori Card and Woori Financial Capital also saw increases of 24.2% and 14.1%, respectively, with profits of 94.5 billion won and 76.9 billion won.Dongyang Life, acquired last year, recorded a net profit of 91.9 billion won in the first half.Thanks to growth in the non-banking sector, non-interest income for the second quarter rose by 19.4% to 629 billion won, while interest income increased by 3.3% to 2.336 trillion won.With both interest and non-interest income rising, the total operating revenue (interest income + non-interest income) for the first half reached a record 5.7227 trillion won.In the second quarter, Woori Financial (bank and card) and Woori Bank's net interest margin (NIM) were 1.75% and 1.51%, respectively, up by 0.04 percentage points and 0.06 percentage points from the same period last year.The common equity tier 1 capital ratio increased to 13.7%, up from 13.6% in the previous quarter.Woori Financial stated, "We have maintained a stable level above our medium-term target of 13%."On the same day, Woori Financial's board of directors decided to maintain the second quarter dividend at 22 billion won per share, the same as the previous quarter. The dividend will be paid as a tax-exempt distribution.Additionally, the company has decided to repurchase and retire 150 billion won worth of its own shares in the second half of the year.As a result, the total amount of share repurchases and retirements for this year will reach 350 billion won, the largest since the group's inception.A Woori Financial official remarked, "The recovery of quarterly net profit exceeding 1 trillion won signifies the strengthening of Woori Financial Group's fundamentals and profit-generating capacity. We will continue to enhance corporate value by expanding shareholder returns." 2026-07-24 16:48:00
  • Geopolitical Tensions Renew in Red Sea and Hormuz; Korea National Oil Corporation Reviews Oil Supply Response
    Geopolitical Tensions Renew in Red Sea and Hormuz; Korea National Oil Corporation Reviews Oil Supply Response As geopolitical risks in the Middle East escalate, the Korea National Oil Corporation (KNOC) has initiated a review of its oil supply crisis response system. This comes amid ongoing uncertainties in key oil transport routes, including the Strait of Hormuz and the Red Sea, necessitating confirmation that emergency response measures can operate without disruption.On July 24, KNOC held a "Field Inspection Meeting for Proactive Oil Supply Response" at its oil storage facility in Seosan, South Chungcheong Province, chaired by President Son Joo-seok. The meeting included participation from headquarters staff and branch managers from nine storage facilities nationwide, discussing the current state of national oil supply crisis response and related measures in light of the renewed tensions in the Middle East.The meeting was convened to verify the effectiveness of existing response strategies amid deteriorating conditions, such as the recent blockade of the Red Sea by Houthi rebels. While current oil import levels are not significantly lower than last year, KNOC aims to proactively address supply uncertainties by utilizing various measures, including international joint reserves and oil swaps.Since the escalation of tensions in the Middle East earlier this year, KNOC has activated its Oil Crisis Response Team, which operates under a total mobilization system. This team has conducted oil swaps with domestic refiners to stabilize supply and has exercised priority purchasing rights for international joint reserves to promptly supply crude oil to the domestic market.Prior to the meeting, the management visited Hanwha Total, a petrochemical company near the Seosan branch, to discuss the supply situation of condensate, a raw material for petrochemicals. KNOC plans to strengthen emergency cooperation between public storage infrastructure and private enterprises as a result of this meeting.Moving forward, KNOC will hold bi-monthly meetings with branch managers to continuously assess crisis situations and response capabilities.This review meeting reflects the understanding that while there are currently no immediate issues with short-term oil imports, the long-term risks associated with Middle Eastern transport routes could lead to increased supply uncertainties. The Red Sea and the Strait of Hormuz are critical chokepoints for oil and petroleum product logistics, and any disruptions could impact import costs, transportation times, and the procurement of refining and petrochemical raw materials.President Son Joo-seok stated, "Establishing oil security is a pressing task amid global geopolitical instability and a cornerstone of the national economy. We must ensure that the thorough readiness of storage operations and safety management allows for seamless oil and product swaps."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-24 16:44:00
  • SK Telecom Shares Rise Following Property Division Ruling for Chairman Chey Tae-won
    SK Telecom Shares Rise Following Property Division Ruling for Chairman Chey Tae-won SK Telecom shares experienced a boost on July 24 after a court ruling ordered Chairman Chey Tae-won to pay 944 billion won in property division as part of his divorce proceedings.On that day, SK Telecom closed at 101,300 won, up 1,800 won (1.81%) from the previous session. Following the ruling around 2 p.m., the stock surged as much as 5.33%, reaching 104,800 won.The Seoul High Court's Family Division, led by Judge Lee Sang-joo, ruled that Chey must pay his ex-wife, No So-young, the substantial property division amount. The court also mandated that Chey pay a 5% annual interest on the amount from the day the ruling is finalized until it is fully paid.Analysts suggest that the need for Chey to secure cash for the property division could lead to increased dividends from strong affiliates, which may have driven the buying interest in SK Telecom shares.Market experts are discussing various options for raising funds, including stock-backed loans, selling unlisted assets, and increasing dividends from affiliates. Notably, Hana Financial Investment recently stated in a report that expanding dividends from strong subsidiaries is essentially the only solution to address governance issues without selling off shares in the holding company, positioning SK Telecom as a top pick.Chey currently holds 12,975,472 shares (17.90% stake) in SK Inc. However, analysts believe that the potential for a large-scale sale of SK Inc. shares is limited due to their critical role in the group's governance structure.Meanwhile, SK Inc. shares closed down 3.66% on the same day, while SK Hynix saw a significant drop of 8.34%.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-24 16:44:00
  • Samsung Bioepis Reports Second Quarter Operating Profit of 86.6 Billion Won
    Samsung Bioepis Reports Second Quarter Operating Profit of 86.6 Billion Won Samsung Bioepis reported a decline in both revenue and operating profit for the second quarter of this year compared to the same period last year. However, the company continues to show growth in its first-half results.Samsung Epise Holdings announced on July 24 that Samsung Bioepis recorded revenue of 392.2 billion won and an operating profit of 86.6 billion won in the second quarter. These figures represent decreases of 2.2% and 3.6%, respectively, from the previous year, attributed to changes in the supply schedule of key products and increased investment in research and development (R&D). During the same period, net profit rose by 72.1% to 106.7 billion won.For the first half of the year, the company reported revenue of 847.1 billion won and an operating profit of 230.6 billion won, both reflecting a 6% increase compared to the same period last year.Samsung Bioepis stated, "The increasing demand for products in major markets such as Europe and the United States is expected to be reflected in our performance in the second half of the year. We anticipate continuing our business success in the global market this year."The company is intensifying its efforts to penetrate global markets. In May, it launched the Eylea biosimilar in Europe, expanding its direct sales products in the region to five. In the United States, it has begun selling the Prolia biosimilar, and in Japan, it has entered the market with its first product, the Stelara biosimilar.Samsung Bioepis is also enhancing the competitiveness of its pipeline. Last month, it released global Phase 1 and Phase 3 clinical trial results for its immuno-oncology biosimilar candidate, SB27, demonstrating equivalence to the original drug in primary endpoints such as pharmacokinetics and efficacy.Additionally, Samsung Bioepis is the first company among those developing a Keytruda biosimilar to announce global Phase 3 clinical trial results.The company is accelerating its new drug development efforts. The antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) candidate SBE303 entered global Phase 1 clinical trials in March, while the follow-up candidate SBE313 is currently in preclinical development.Samsung Bioepis is also pursuing long-acting obesity treatments and open innovation-based new drug development to secure mid- to long-term growth drivers.Meanwhile, Samsung Epise Holdings has maintained its forecast that Samsung Bioepis's annual revenue growth rate will exceed 10% compared to last year's figure of 1.67 trillion won, despite uncertainties in the global market.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-24 16:44:00
  • NH Nonghyup Financial Reports Record Half-Year Profit of 1.78 Trillion Won
    NH Nonghyup Financial Reports Record Half-Year Profit of 1.78 Trillion Won NH Nonghyup Financial Group achieved a record half-year net income of 1.78 trillion won, surpassing 1.7 trillion won for the first time this year.Growth in interest income and an increase in non-interest income due to a strong stock market drove the results, with NH Investment & Securities leading the way with more than double its profit growth.According to Yonhap News and NH Nonghyup Financial, the group's net income for the first half of the year was 1.7791 trillion won, a 9.2% increase compared to the same period last year. However, net income for the second quarter was 910.4 billion won, a slight decrease from the previous year.The improvement in performance was attributed to simultaneous growth in both interest and non-interest income. Interest income for the first half reached 4.4422 trillion won, an 8.4% increase from the previous year. This growth was influenced by an expansion in core deposits, the growth of high-quality assets centered on corporate finance, and an improvement in the net interest margin (NIM) in the banking and card sectors, which rose from 1.67% at the end of last year to 1.74% by the end of June this year.The strong stock market also supported the results. Non-interest income for the first half was 1.9599 trillion won, a 47.4% increase from last year, with commission income rising 71.2% to 1.6814 trillion won, driven by increased demand for stock trading and asset management.By subsidiary, NH Investment & Securities showed remarkable growth, reporting a net income of 965.2 billion won, a 107.5% increase from the previous year. In contrast, NH Nonghyup Bank saw its net income decrease by 2.1% to 1.1629 trillion won due to rising corporate tax rates and increased education taxes. The insurance subsidiaries also struggled, with NH Nonghyup Life Insurance reporting a net income of 35.1 billion won, down 77.3%, and NH Nonghyup Property & Casualty Insurance reporting 71.7 billion won, down 18.1%.Overall, the group's soundness indicators remained stable. The non-performing loan (NPL) ratio was 0.65%, a slight increase from last year, while the common equity tier 1 capital ratio improved by 0.59 percentage points to 12.97%.NH Nonghyup Financial plans to invest a total of 1 trillion won into its key subsidiaries, including 500 billion won for the bank, 400 billion won for securities, and 100 billion won for capital, based on a 1.2 trillion won capital increase from the National Agricultural Cooperative Federation this year. The company aims to enhance its business competitiveness and strengthen its foundation for future growth.An NH Nonghyup Financial official stated, "Despite the capital dilution effect from the capital increase, we achieved the largest half-year performance in history. We expect the effects of the capital increase to become more pronounced in the second half, accelerating profitability improvements."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-24 16:40:00