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  • Woori Bank Expands Financial Support for Medical Device Companies
    Woori Bank Expands Financial Support for Medical Device Companies Woori Bank is set to expand financial support for medical device companies with strong technological capabilities and growth potential.On September 14, Woori Bank announced that it had signed a financial support agreement with the Korea Medical Device Industry Association and the Technology Guarantee Fund to promote the social value of the medical device industry.The agreement is expected to provide benefits such as increased guarantee ratios or reduced guarantee fees, thereby alleviating the financial burdens faced by medical device companies.Woori Bank plans to link this agreement with the 'AtoF Future Strategy Industry Development Productive Financial Support Agreement Guarantee' it operates with the Technology Guarantee Fund. The AtoF agreement focuses on supporting six key growth engines identified by the government for advancing the high-tech industry: artificial intelligence (AI), biotechnology, content and culture, defense, energy, and advanced manufacturing.Woori Bank aims to go beyond merely providing funds by identifying and supporting medical device companies with technological prowess and growth potential. The bank also plans to enhance its financial role in securing technological competitiveness in the medical device industry and facilitating entry into global markets.Baek Yeon-soo, head of Woori Bank's corporate group, stated, "The medical device industry is a key sector that drives public health improvement and the nation's future growth. Through this agreement, we will expand financial support to help stabilize the growth of medical device companies with technological capabilities and contribute to enhancing the global competitiveness of the medical device industry."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-15 09:24:00
  • Hyundai Motor Supports 500 Children with Disabilities with Special Strollers
    Hyundai Motor Supports 500 Children with Disabilities with Special Strollers Hyundai Motor Company is taking the lead in providing customized special strollers for children with severe disabilities. On September 14, Hyundai hosted a walking event at Seoul Children's Grand Park, inviting children with severe disabilities and their families, and announced that it would support 500 customized special strollers for these children. This initiative is part of Hyundai's special stroller support program, aimed at improving the mobility environment for children with severe disabilities who find it difficult to use regular strollers or wheelchairs due to their physical conditions and require medical equipment. Regular strollers pose challenges for children with severe disabilities who need to lie down or use medical equipment during hospital visits and daily outings. Existing assistive devices, such as stroller wheelchairs, are often expensive and lack portability, placing a significant burden on families with children who have severe disabilities. To address this, Hyundai is collaborating with domestic stroller manufacturer WHY-UP and the Milal Welfare Foundation to implement the special stroller support program. Hyundai will cover the full production costs for 500 special strollers. The Milal Welfare Foundation will handle the recruitment and selection of beneficiaries, while WHY-UP will be responsible for the design, development, and production of the strollers. The special strollers are designed with the physical conditions and medical needs of children with severe disabilities in mind. They feature a seat area that is approximately 50% larger than that of regular strollers and a reinforced frame capable of supporting a maximum load of 30 kg. A Hyundai representative stated, "We hope this will provide practical assistance to children with severe disabilities and their families during hospital visits and daily outings. As a mobility company, we will continue to engage in social contribution activities that enhance accessibility for those with mobility challenges." In addition to improving mobility rights for people with disabilities, Hyundai is also engaged in various social contribution activities aimed at supporting education, culture, and living conditions for children, youth, and vulnerable groups.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-15 09:20:00
  • Four Ministries Collaborate on Youth Policies in Military, Employment, and Housing
    Four Ministries Collaborate on Youth Policies in Military, Employment, and Housing The Youth Advisory Groups from the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission, the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Health and Welfare, and the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family joined forces to discuss youth policy development on 'Youth Day.'According to the Ministry of Justice, the four ministries held a '2030 Youth Advisory Group Policy Exchange Seminar' on September 14 at a café near Sookmyung Women's University in Yongsan, Seoul, to address the complex issues facing the youth generation and seek solutions.The seminar aimed to take an integrated approach to the various challenges young people face in areas such as military service, employment, housing, and asset formation. Approximately 60 participants, including youth advisors and officials from the relevant ministries, engaged in in-depth discussions.The seminar began with each ministry sharing its key youth policies to enhance inter-policy connectivity. The Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission then presented an analysis of over 410,000 youth complaints received through the National Complaint Center over the past year, categorized into five areas: military service, employment, asset formation, housing, and childbirth and childcare, conveying the real concerns and needs of young people.During the subsequent group discussions, youth advisors from the Ministry of Economy and Finance, the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of National Defense, the Ministry of Veterans Affairs, and the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy contributed to generating diverse ideas. The organizing ministries plan to carefully review the policy proposals drafted during the event for potential incorporation into future youth policies.Youth advisors attending the event stated, "The difficulties faced by young people cannot be resolved through a fragmented approach. We will continue to break down departmental barriers and maintain ongoing communication to gather the voices of youth."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-15 09:16:20
  • NCSOFT and Microsoft Strengthen Collaboration for Global Launch of Aion 2
    NCSOFT and Microsoft Strengthen Collaboration for Global Launch of Aion 2 NCSOFT is enhancing its collaboration with Microsoft Korea to ensure stable service operations for the upcoming global launch of 'Aion 2' in October. The partnership aims to leverage Microsoft Azure's global infrastructure to handle large simultaneous connections and regional traffic, while also improving Aion 2's global competitiveness through collaboration in technology, operations, and marketing.NCSOFT announced on the 15th that it is strengthening strategic cooperation with Microsoft Korea for the global service of 'Aion.'The two companies plan to collaborate across all areas of technology, operations, and marketing to prepare for the global launch and stable service operations of Aion 2, which is set for official release on October 5.On the 14th, they met at NCSOFT's R&D center in Pangyo, Seongnam, to discuss collaboration strategies utilizing each other's technologies. Key executives, including NCSOFT's Chief Business Officer Baek Seung-wook and Microsoft Korea CEO Cho Won-woo, attended the meeting.To effectively respond to the expected large simultaneous connections and regional traffic fluctuations associated with the global launch, the companies plan to actively utilize Azure's global infrastructure.Microsoft will deploy its global technical team alongside a dedicated team in Korea to support the entire process, from performance validation before launch to rapid issue resolution after service begins. Additionally, they plan to gradually expand their collaboration through joint marketing efforts with Microsoft's global gaming organization to broaden user engagement.Aion 2 is considered a key title for NCSOFT's global business expansion. Following its domestic launch in November 2025, it generated revenues of 136.8 billion won in the first quarter and 71.9 billion won in the second quarter of this year. The global version will be self-published through Steam and Purple, with regional servers established in North America, South America, Europe, and Japan, supporting ten languages.Meanwhile, the collaboration between the two companies extends to NCSOFT's overall digital work environment. NCSOFT has implemented Microsoft 365 E5 company-wide to create a secure and collaborative work environment. They are also considering utilizing Microsoft 365 Copilot to enhance employee productivity.Baek Seung-wook, NCSOFT's Chief Business Officer, stated, "Microsoft is a key partner in NCSOFT's global challenges. Choosing Azure was not just an infrastructure decision but a strategic choice based on trust in Microsoft." He added, "With this collaboration, we aim to further enhance NCSOFT's global gaming competitiveness."Cho Won-woo, CEO of Microsoft Korea, remarked, "Microsoft will support NCSOFT's service operations based on our cloud capabilities and engineering expertise, ensuring a stable gaming experience for players worldwide."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-15 09:16:10
  • Government Releases Videos Highlighting Youth Policies Ahead of Youth Day
    Government Releases Videos Highlighting Youth Policies Ahead of Youth Day On September 15, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism announced that it has created three videos highlighting key government policies aimed at assisting young people in their daily lives, in anticipation of Youth Day on the 19th.The videos cover topics such as the 'Youth Future Savings,' 'First Job Guarantee Program,' and 'Youth Housing Dream Subscription Savings and Youth Rent Support.' These policies were selected based on the economic and social challenges faced by job seekers, recent graduates, and young professionals.The campaign videos incorporate popular scenes from hit movies to engage viewers. The 'Youth Future Savings' segment references 'The King and the Clown,' while the 'First Job Guarantee Program' draws from 'Extreme Job,' and the 'Youth Housing Dream Subscription Savings and Youth Rent Support' features familiar scenes and dialogues from 'The Outlaws,' all presented in a meme format popular among young audiences to capture their interest.The three videos can be viewed on the government's official YouTube channel (@대한민국정부).The Ministry's Public Communication Office plans to continue producing and disseminating promotional content that reflects the 'content grammar' and media usage habits of the youth generation, aiming to alleviate their concerns and provide practical assistance through these policies.The Youth Future Savings program is a three-year policy financial product offering government contributions and tax benefits for individuals aged 19 to 34, with interest rates of up to 7-8% per year. The Youth Housing Dream Subscription Savings account is available to young individuals aged 19 to 34 with an annual income of less than 50 million won, offering an interest rate of up to 4.5%. The Youth Rent Support program provides up to 200,000 won per month in rent assistance to eligible young individuals who meet certain income criteria.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-15 09:16:10
  • Xi Jinpings Bodyguard Emerges as Key Military Figure
    Xi Jinping's Bodyguard Emerges as Key Military Figure The Director of the Central Security Bureau, responsible for the protection of Chinese President Xi Jinping, has gained attention as he appeared at a diplomatic summit, indicating a shift in his status. Zhou Hongxu, 55, was present at the meeting between President Xi and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on September 12.Typically, the Director of the Central Security Bureau accompanies Xi on foreign trips but does not appear at the summit table. However, state-run CCTV captured Zhou sitting between Deputy Foreign Minister Ma Chaoxu and Assistant Foreign Minister Hong Lei during the meeting.The Central Security Bureau is affiliated with the General Office of the Communist Party of China and the Joint Staff Department of the Central Military Commission, responsible for the safety of Xi and other top leaders, as well as the security of Zhongnanhai. The role of the bureau director requires not only specialized security skills but also the absolute trust of the top leader.If Zhou were solely responsible for security, he would not have been present at the summit. His appearance in a suit, rather than military uniform, alongside diplomatic officials suggests he may have taken on a role beyond that of a mere security chief. Speculation has arisen that he may also serve as Deputy Director of the General Office, although there has been no official announcement from Chinese state media confirming this.This incident indicates that Zhou's responsibilities extend beyond security to include diplomatic and security matters, reaffirming his significant trust from President Xi. Observers suggest that Zhou is emerging as a key military figure trusted by Xi, with potential for a move to a core military position within the Central Military Commission or other key military roles at the upcoming National Congress of the Communist Party of China next year.Notably, Zhou is not just a figure from the security line; he has a background in the field. Born in 1971, he holds a master's degree from the Army Artillery Academy and has served as the commander of the artillery regiment of the 40th Division of the 14th Group Army, head of the military training department of the Chengdu Military Region, and deputy chief of staff of the Northern Theater Command. He was appointed as the Director of the Central Security Bureau in 2021 and was elected as a delegate to the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China in 2022. He currently holds the rank of Major General.Currently, the Chinese military leadership is experiencing significant vacancies due to anti-corruption efforts. Former Vice Chairman of the Military Commission He Weidong was dismissed in October last year, and former Vice Chairman Zhang Youxia was removed in January. Of the seven members of the Central Military Commission, five have been dismissed, leaving only two remaining. According to a report by the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) released in February, only 11 of the 52 key military positions in China are currently filled.While it is premature to conclude that Zhou will immediately enter the Central Military Commission based solely on his attendance at the summit, his presence at such a high-profile diplomatic event alongside Xi is noteworthy. It may signal how Xi intends to elevate certain officers to key military positions ahead of next year's party congress.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-15 09:16:00
  • CJ to Early Pay 660 Billion Won to Partners Ahead of Chuseok
    CJ to Early Pay 660 Billion Won to Partners Ahead of Chuseok CJ Group will make early payments totaling 660 billion won to ease the financial burden on small and medium-sized partners ahead of the Chuseok holiday.On September 15, CJ announced that it will provide early payments to over 7,400 small and medium-sized suppliers through six major affiliates, including CJ CheilJedang, CJ Olive Young, CJ Logistics, CJ ENM's commerce division, CJ Freshway, and CJ Olive Networks. This year's total payment amount is more than double that of last year.The payments are scheduled to be completed in phases starting on September 18, before the Chuseok holiday. Partners will receive their payments at least two weeks to a month earlier than the usual payment dates. This initiative aims to support the liquidity of small partners facing temporary cash flow needs for raw material payments and employee bonuses during the holiday season.A CJ official stated, "We are implementing early holiday payments every year to promote coexistence with our partners. We hope this support will alleviate financial burdens before the holiday and contribute to a stable business environment."Meanwhile, CJ Group continues to operate growth programs tailored to the characteristics of each affiliate. CJ Olive Young runs the 'K-Super Rookie with Young' program to assist small indie brands in entering overseas markets. CJ CheilJedang introduced the 'Tomorrow Filling Fund' in 2017, the first of its kind among private companies, to ensure employment stability for partners, and has since established a coexistence fund to support their financial activities. CJ Logistics was the first in the industry to implement a system that pays freight drivers the full amount the next day.CJ ENM's commerce division supports small brands through the 'CJ On-Cubating' project and a 11 billion won K-lifestyle fund aimed at discovering and nurturing promising brands. CJ Freshway has been operating the 'Coexistence Cooperation Academy' for 11 years to enhance the quality management capabilities of its partners, while CJ Olive Networks contributes to the stability of partner management through initiatives like 'Partners Day' and the establishment of coexistence funds.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-15 09:16:00
  • KOSPI Declines Amid Concerns Over AI Development; Foreign and Institutional Investors Sell
    KOSPI Declines Amid Concerns Over AI Development; Foreign and Institutional Investors Sell The KOSPI index is declining despite individual investors making net purchases. Ongoing concerns about the weakening leadership of semiconductor stocks are leading to sector differentiation.According to the Korea Exchange, as of 9:03 a.m. on September 15, the KOSPI was down 15.29 points (0.23%) at 6,669.08. The index started lower and has maintained its downward trend. Individual investors bought a net 117.3 billion won, while foreign and institutional investors sold a net 98.9 billion won and 23.2 billion won, respectively.Among the top market capitalization stocks, Samsung Electronics rose 0.20%, and SK Hynix increased by 0.18%. Other gainers included Samsung Electronics Preferred (0.82%), SK Square (0.80%), and LG Energy Solution (0.14%). Conversely, Samsung Electro-Mechanics (-0.75%), Hyundai Motor (-0.67%), Samsung Biologics (-0.28%), KB Financial (-2.64%), and Samsung Life (-1.34%) saw declines.At the same time, the KOSDAQ index was trading at 809.85, up 3.06 points (0.38%) from the previous trading day. Individual investors net bought 10.6 billion won, while foreign and institutional investors sold a net 9.5 billion won and 1.6 billion won, respectively. Stocks such as Alteogen (2.31%), EcoPro (0.25%), EcoPro BM (0.48%), JUSUNG Engineering (0.49%), Rainbow Robotics (0.48%), IOTech (1.52%), and Roboteers (3.24%) experienced gains. In contrast, Wonik IPS (-1.18%) and Rino Technology (-0.31%) faced losses.Market analysts suggest that concerns over the pace of artificial intelligence (AI) development could increase volatility in the stock market this week, but they advise against panic selling.Han Ji-young, a researcher at Kiwoom Securities, stated, "Even if volatility increases due to the AI pace adjustment issue this week, the benefits of panic selling are likely to be minimal. It may be more prudent to maintain existing positions or diversify into sectors such as banking, insurance, and holding companies, which have relatively lower beta compared to the KOSPI and semiconductor stocks and offer defensive returns."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-15 09:08:20
  • Auto Insurance Reports First Loss in Six Years Amid Rising Costs
    Auto Insurance Reports First Loss in Six Years Amid Rising Costs 올해 상반기 자동차보험의 보험손익이 6년 만에 적자로 돌아섰다. 손해율과 사업비율이 함께 오르면서 보험손익이 악화됐다. 투자손익 증가에도 전체 이익도 지난해보다 크게 줄었다. 금융감독원이 15일 발표한 ‘2026년 상반기 자동차보험 사업실적(잠정)’에 따르면 올해 상반기 자동차보험 총손익은 2380억원으로 전년 동기 3820억원보다 37.7% 감소했다. 보험손익은 1848억원 적자를 기록했다. 손해율과 사업비율을 합한 합산비율이 101.9%로 손익분기점인 100%를 넘어선 영향이다. 자동차보험 보험손익이 상반기 기준 적자를 기록한 것은 6년 만이다. 손해율은 84.9%로 지난해 같은 기간보다 1.6%포인트 상승했다. 경과보험료가 723억원 늘어나는 데 그친 반면 발생손해액은 2182억원 증가하면서 손해율을 끌어올렸다. 사업비율도 17.0%로 전년 동기보다 0.6%포인트 올랐다. 보험손익이 적자로 돌아선 것과 달리 투자손익은 개선됐다. 상반기 투자손익은 4228억원으로 지난해 같은 기간보다 20.2%(710억원) 증가했다. 자동차보험 매출은 늘었다. 원수보험료는 자동차보험 시장 확대와 올해 초 보험료 1.3% 인상 등의 영향으로 10조6384억원을 기록했다. 전년 동기보다 4.2%(4269억원) 증가한 규모다. 시장 점유율은 대형사 중심의 과점 구조가 이어졌다. 삼성화재·DB손해보험·현대해상·KB손해보험 등 대형 4개사의 점유율은 84.8%로 전년보다 0.2%포인트 낮아졌지만 여전히 80%를 웃돌았다. 중소형사의 점유율은 확대됐다. 한화손해보험과 캐롯손해보험의 합병 등의 영향으로 한화·메리츠·흥국·롯데·예별 등 중소형사의 점유율은 11.0%로 1.6%포인트 상승했다. 반면 악사·하나·캐롯 등 비대면 전문사의 점유율은 4.2%로 1.4%포인트 하락했다. 금감원은 지난 10일부터 시행된 자동차보험 경상환자 대책과 관련해 선량한 소비자의 불편이 발생하지 않도록 관계기관과 공동 대응할 방침이다. 또 제도 개선에 따른 손해율 개선 효과가 향후 자동차보험료 인하로 이어질 수 있도록 감독하겠다고 밝혔다.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-15 09:08:00
  • Korea Investment & Securities Lowers Orions Target Price by 10% Amid Geopolitical Uncertainty
    Korea Investment & Securities Lowers Orion's Target Price by 10% Amid Geopolitical Uncertainty 한국투자증권은 15일 제과업체 오리온에 대해 지정학적 불확실성과 원화 강세(환율 하락)에 따른 수익성 둔화를 반영해 목표주가를 17만 5000원으로 기존 대비 10% 하향 조정했다. 다만 견고한 기초체력을 감안해 투자의견은 '매수'를 유지했다.최고운 한투증권 연구원은 "오리온의 8월 단순 합산 매출액은 전년 동월 대비 9% 증가한 3010억원, 영업이익은 5% 늘어난 505억원을 기록했다"며 "멀티트랙 채널에서의 성과가 부각되며 7~8월 합산 매출이 9% 이상 성장했다"고 말했다. 최근에는 해외 시장에서 성장세가 돋보였다. 8월 기준 러시아에서 전년 동월 대비 20%가 넘는 성장세를 보였고 중국에서는 5% 넘는 증가세를 기록했다. 베트남의 경우 7월 선출고의 영향으로 7% 감소했다. 하지만 올해 이익 컨센서스도 더 이상 올라가기 어렵다는 분석이다. 최 연구원은 "지정학적 불확실성과 환율 하락 영향을 감안하면 올해 이익 컨센서스가 더 이상 올라가긴 어려워 보인다"며 "연초 보여줬던 모멘텀이 단기적으로 소강상태라는 점을 감안해 오리온에 대한 목표주가를 17만5000원으로 기존 대비 10% 하향조정한다"고 밝혔다. 이어 "다만 제품력 기반의 전략적 성과는 변함없어 매수 의견을 유지한다"며 "중국 간식점 채널의 매출 증가세는 기존 유통망보다 가파르며 러시아에서는 계속해서 가동률이 100%를 초과할 정도로 수요가 확실하게 뒷받침되는 상황"이라고 설명했다. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-15 09:08:00