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  • Kia Sportage Ranks First in German SUV Comparison
    Kia Sportage Ranks First in German SUV Comparison Kia's compact sport utility vehicle (SUV) Sportage has secured the top spot in a comparison evaluation conducted by a leading German automotive magazine, surpassing its competitors.According to Kia, the Sportage achieved a total score of 541 points in the recent compact SUV comparison by Auto Motor und Sport, earning the overall first place.Auto Motor und Sport is considered one of Germany's top three automotive magazines, alongside Auto Bild and Auto Zeitung. This prestigious evaluation is influential in shaping European consumers' purchasing decisions.The assessment compared the Sportage with the Mazda CX-5, Ford Kuga, and Citroën C5 Aircross across seven categories: body, safety, convenience, powertrain, driving performance, environmental friendliness, and cost.The Sportage received the highest scores in four categories: body, convenience, powertrain, and driving performance, culminating in its overall score of 541 points. It outperformed the Mazda CX-5 and Ford Kuga, which both scored 535 points, and the Citroën C5 Aircross, which scored 533 points.Notably, in the body category, the Sportage was praised for its superior material quality, finish, spacious interior, and intuitive physical button controls, earning a top score of 96 points.In the powertrain category, the Sportage was recognized for its strong acceleration performance, achieving a time of 6.8 seconds to accelerate from 80 km/h to 120 km/h, earning the highest score of 83 points.For driving performance, the Sportage was commended for its stable body dynamics, comfortable ride quality, and agile cornering, receiving a score of 70 points, the highest in this category. Its braking performance was also impressive, with a stopping distance of 36 meters from 100 km/h, surpassing all competitors.A Kia representative stated, "The Sportage has been a beloved model in the European market, making this evaluation result even more significant." Meanwhile, the Sportage continues to enjoy steady popularity in the local market, with approximately 149,000 units sold in Europe last year, according to the European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA). Recently, Kia launched the 2026 model year Sportage, enhancing its appeal.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-23 09:16:00
  • U.S. and Saudi Arabia Sign Nuclear Cooperation Agreement Without Enrichment Ban
    U.S. and Saudi Arabia Sign Nuclear Cooperation Agreement Without Enrichment Ban The Trump administration has signed a so-called '123 Agreement' with Saudi Arabia, establishing a legal framework for nuclear cooperation. However, the agreement reportedly does not include provisions banning uranium enrichment and the reprocessing of spent nuclear fuel, raising concerns about nuclear nonproliferation.On July 22, the U.S. Department of Energy announced that Secretary Chris Wright and Saudi Energy Minister Abdulaziz bin Salman signed the 123 Agreement, which facilitates peaceful nuclear cooperation, along with a bilateral safeguards agreement.The 123 Agreement is necessary for the U.S. to transfer nuclear materials, equipment, and technology to other countries. Once in effect, it will allow U.S. companies to participate in Saudi Arabia's civilian nuclear sector.A key issue is the lack of a ban on uranium enrichment and spent fuel reprocessing. The agreement does not fundamentally prohibit Saudi Arabia from pursuing these activities. However, the signing of the agreement does not imply that the U.S. will provide related technology or facilities to Saudi Arabia.This contrasts with the United Arab Emirates (UAE), which agreed to forgo uranium enrichment and spent fuel reprocessing when it signed a nuclear agreement with the U.S. in 2009. Concerns have been raised that if Saudi Arabia develops its own enrichment capabilities, it could produce weapons-grade nuclear material.The U.S. Department of Energy stated that the agreement will expand U.S. companies' access to the Saudi nuclear market while adhering to high standards of nuclear safety, security, and nonproliferation.The agreement will undergo a review process by the U.S. Congress.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-23 09:16:00
  • KOSPI Opens with 2% Gain as Samsung and SK Hynix Rally
    KOSPI Opens with 2% Gain as Samsung and SK Hynix Rally The KOSPI index is showing a gain of over 2% in early trading. Expectations for increased semiconductor demand due to Alphabet's expansion in artificial intelligence (AI) investments are driving up shares of Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix. As of 9:04 a.m. on July 23, the KOSPI rose by 183.40 points (2.70%) to reach 6,981.10, briefly surpassing the 7,000 mark during the session. In the stock market, foreign investors have made a net purchase of 153.8 billion won, while individuals and institutions have sold a net 44.7 billion won and 108 billion won, respectively. Most of the top market capitalization stocks are on the rise. Samsung Electronics is trading at around 269,000 won, up over 3% from the previous trading day, while SK Hynix has increased by about 4%, surpassing 1.9 million won. Other stocks such as Samsung Electro-Mechanics, Hyundai Motor, and SK Square are also showing upward trends. In terms of sectors, semiconductor-related stocks are performing strongly. Companies like Samsung Electronics, SK Hynix, Techwing, and TL Engineering are contributing to the index's rise. Meanwhile, U.S. markets closed lower due to concerns over rising international oil prices and interest rates. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell by 0.01%, the S&P 500 dropped by 0.14%, and the Nasdaq Composite declined by 0.57%. However, Alphabet's announcement of an upward revision in its capital expenditure (CAPEX) forecast after the market close has bolstered investor sentiment in semiconductor stocks. The company raised its CAPEX guidance for the year from $185 billion to around $200 billion and plans to significantly increase investments next year. Han Ji-young, a researcher at Kiwoom Securities, stated, "Alphabet's strong performance and the upward revision of its CAPEX guidance have alleviated concerns regarding potential cuts in customer CAPEX and the peak of the memory cycle for domestic semiconductor stocks." The KOSDAQ index is also on the rise. At the same time, the KOSDAQ index has increased by 15.46 points (2.06%) to 766.55. Individuals are net buying 15.2 billion won, while foreign investors and institutions are net selling 12.2 billion won and 3 billion won, respectively. Among the top KOSDAQ stocks, Alteogen is up by over 1%, EcoPro has risen by about 3%, and EcoPro BM is up by over 1%. Rainbow Robotics has increased by over 5%, while Juseong Engineering has risen by around 4%. A researcher noted, "Today, the domestic market is expected to continue its volatility due to mixed factors, including concerns over rising oil prices and interest rates, as well as the strong performance of semiconductor stocks following Alphabet's upward CAPEX guidance. The market may shift to a differentiated performance based on the earnings results of Hyundai Motor, NH Investment & Securities, and KB Financial during the session."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-23 09:12:00
  • Democratic Party Faces Backlash Over Allegations of Shincheonji Involvement
    Democratic Party Faces Backlash Over Allegations of Shincheonji Involvement As allegations of Shincheonji involvement surface within the Democratic Party, former leader Jung Cheong-rae and his supporters are intensifying pressure on Kim Min-seok, a former Prime Minister who raised the suspicions.On July 23, Jung posted on Facebook, stating, "I will respond strongly to the baseless Shincheonji allegations," and added, "I will act with the intention of saving the party from actions that put it in danger. I will protect the party, so I ask party members to support me." Earlier, Jung appeared on the YouTube channel '2-Minute News' and asserted, "I have no connection to Shincheonji. This is 100% fake news," emphasizing that claims suggesting Shincheonji is trying to exert influence over the Democratic Party's convention are dangerous and could lead the party to be labeled unconstitutional. He challenged his accusers, saying, "If you have doubts, report me to the police and provide evidence. If you cannot, you should apologize." Assembly member Choi Min-hee, also running for a leadership position, expressed confusion, asking, "What exactly did Shincheonji do during our convention process? I apologize for not understanding." Choi, along with fellow candidates Lee Sung-yoon and Han Min-soo, held a press conference the previous day, urging Kim to present evidence immediately, stating, "If you cannot provide evidence, apologize to the Democratic Party and its members and resign as a candidate for party leader." Meanwhile, Kim addressed the allegations in a press conference, saying, "I only pointed out the issues regarding Shincheonji's political involvement and do not feel responsible for linking it to any specific candidate." In response, Shincheonji expressed deep regret over Kim's comments regarding the alleged interference in the convention, stating, "We have no interest in the convention and have not engaged in any such actions." * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-23 09:12:00
  • Seoul pitches AI partnership to ASEAN
    Seoul pitches AI partnership to ASEAN SEOUL, July 23 (AJP) - South Korea placed artificial intelligence at the center of its offer to Southeast Asia on Wednesday, unveiling a new initiative to help the region build AI ecosystems, train researchers and spread the technology safely, drawing on what Seoul calls its full-stack capability spanning chips, models and services. The pitch came as Foreign Minister Cho Hyun co-chaired the ASEAN Post-Ministerial Conference with the Republic of Korea in Manila, the 29th session of the annual talks that have brought Seoul together with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) every year since 1997. Thailand, the current coordinator of the relationship, shared the chair, with all 11 ASEAN members and the bloc's secretariat attending. The AI program, named the Korea-ASEAN AI Companion Initiative, aims to apply the technology to social problems across the region while building a sustainable AI ecosystem, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Demand for AI cooperation runs high among ASEAN members, the ministry said, and detailed projects will follow. South Korea is one of the few countries that produces the full chain of AI inputs, from the memory chips that train models to homegrown models and the services built on them, which is the capability Seoul is now marketing to a region of 680 million people caught between American and Chinese technology offerings. The initiative leads a wider package. Cho introduced a new program to sharpen the competitiveness of Korean and ASEAN cultural and creative industries in the digital era, and two security projects breaking new ground for the relationship. The first, a cooperation project against scam-related crime, is the first police and coast guard undertaking between the two sides. It will run working group meetings, discuss operations to rescue victims, visit national anti-scam centers, work toward a shared database of scam crimes and conduct training. Scam compounds across Southeast Asia have drawn global attention for detaining trafficked workers, including South Koreans, and defrauding victims worldwide. The second project, a maritime safety academy, will train regional officers in maritime law enforcement, search and rescue, and pollution response. All of it falls under the Korea-ASEAN CSP Vision, the roadmap Seoul drew up after the two sides upgraded ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership, ASEAN's highest tier of relationship, in 2024. The vision entered full implementation this year. Its three pillars carry the initials: contributor for dreams and hope, springboard for growth and innovation, and partner for peace and stability. The numbers attached are ambitious. Seoul wants two-way people exchanges to reach 15 million and annual trade to reach $300 billion, up from about $200 billion in recent years, helped by an upgrade of the Korea-ASEAN free trade agreement now under negotiation. Cho told the meeting the vision would move in step with ASEAN Community Vision 2045, the bloc's own 20-year strategy adopted in May last year, and said South Korea and ASEAN had become indispensable partners as global supply chains reorganize and technology shifts accelerate. ASEAN members welcomed the vision and noted expanding cooperation in the economy, trade, AI, digital affairs, cybersecurity and cultural industries under the five-year action plan adopted last year, the ministry said. They also expressed hope for close cooperation with South Korea as the vision is put into practice. Cho separately explained Seoul's efforts toward a Korean Peninsula where the two Koreas coexist peacefully and grow together, and asked for ASEAN's continued attention. The members reaffirmed support for the government's peninsula policy, the ministry said, and agreed that peace and stability on the peninsula matter for the region as a whole. Cho also asked ASEAN members to support holding a special summit in South Korea in 2029, marking 40 years since the two sides established dialogue relations. 2026-07-23 09:11:48
  • Ensuring Consistent Quality: Inside Twosome Places Awesome Pairing Plant
    Ensuring Consistent Quality: Inside Twosome Place's Awesome Pairing Plant On July 22, at the Twosome Place Awesome Pairing Plant (APP) in Eumseong, North Chungcheong Province, automated equipment was in full operation. Roasted coffee beans moved along rails installed on the ceiling, while yellow 'delta robots' continuously packed the beans into boxes. Only eight workers managed this expansive production line, showcasing a futuristic factory where most processes, from bean input to roasting, packaging, and loading, are automated.Opened in July 2022, APP is a 20,000-square-meter facility specializing in coffee and desserts, marking its fourth anniversary this year. It is the first coffee roasting and dessert production system established in a single location among domestic cafe franchises. The facility handles the entire process of coffee production, from bean storage to roasting, packaging, and shipping, supplying approximately 1,900 tons of beans annually to stores nationwide. This capacity translates to about 290,000 servings of regular-sized iced Americanos per day. Currently, the facility is equipped to produce up to 2,600 tons annually, allowing for increased supply as store expansion occurs.A key differentiator of APP is its 'fully automated process.' Human intervention is minimized from the initial input of raw beans. In the past, workers manually tore open 60-70 kg bags of raw beans, but at APP, automated equipment lifts and cuts the bags before sending them to the production line.Stringent quality control measures are in place to manage foreign substances that can affect bean quality. Raw beans undergo four stages of cleaning, including wind sorting, stone removal, metal detection, and color sorting, to eliminate impurities. Additionally, during the packaging stage, vision and X-ray inspections are conducted, resulting in a total of six rigorous quality checks before final shipment. This multi-step quality management system is established from the arrival of raw beans to the final product.The roasting area, a core process, is designed with a focus on maintaining quality. Raw beans imported from five countries—Colombia, Brazil, Guatemala, Ethiopia, and Papua New Guinea—are automatically blended according to product recipes and roasted in drum roasters for about 15 minutes. The burner room, which generates heat between 500 and 600 degrees, is separated from the roasting room to prevent heat from affecting bean quality, and the roasting room is built approximately 20 meters high to allow heat to escape upwards.Notably, the method of transferring beans is innovative. Instead of the conventional air pressure system, the 'Z-Bucket' system is employed to minimize breakage. Roasted beans, which can easily crack due to their fragile structure, are slowly transported in basket-like equipment to maintain quality. Kwak Kyung-dong, a manager in the Twosome Place coffee production team, explained, “While this method takes up more space and costs more, we adopted it to minimize bean breakage.”The packaging process is also led by robots. After beans are automatically filled into bags and pass inspection, delta robots, known as 'spider robots,' pack the products into boxes, while palletizing robots neatly stack them onto pallets. An industrial robot vacuum cleaner can also be seen managing fine dust around the production line.Twosome Place plans to use APP as a base to further enhance its coffee competitiveness. Last year, the company sold 49 million servings of Americanos, averaging about 140 servings sold per minute. The company first introduced 'dual sourcing' in 2014, followed by a rebranding in 2019 with 'Blackground' and 'Aroma Note,' completing a 'triple sourcing' system by adding decaffeinated beans. In line with the growing health trend, the company plans to expand consumer choices by introducing cold brew menus with varied caffeine levels and new concepts for Americanos and lattes in the second half of the year.Lee Sang-guk, head of the Twosome Place production division, emphasized, “Even as our stores rapidly increase nationwide, we are establishing consistent quality standards from the production stage so that customers can enjoy the same high-quality coffee and desserts at any location. The Awesome Pairing Plant is a key production hub supporting Twosome Place's coffee expertise and quality competitiveness.”* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-23 09:08:00
  • KB Securities Raises Samsung C&T Target Price Amid Discount Rate Expectations
    KB Securities Raises Samsung C&T Target Price Amid Discount Rate Expectations KB Securities has raised its target price for Samsung C&T from 400,000 won to 490,000 won, reflecting an increase in the value of its holdings and the potential for a reduced corporate value discount rate. The investment recommendation remains a 'buy.'Jang Mun-jun, a researcher at KB Securities, stated, "The target price was adjusted upward by changing the target net asset value (NAV) discount rate from 45% to 40% and reflecting the increase in the value of holdings. In the future, we can expect not only changes in the value of holdings but also a reduction in the discount rate."He added, "The year 2026 is expected to mark the resumption of simultaneous growth in scale and profits, and we anticipate significant business expansion in the nuclear power sector based on a differentiated track record."Jang projected that consolidated sales for the second quarter would reach 11.1 trillion won, with operating profit estimated at 858.3 billion won, aligning with market expectations. He noted that strong sales across all business divisions would drive favorable results.Furthermore, he mentioned, "We are steadily advancing the nuclear power business, which is a new growth driver for the construction sector. In the small modular reactor (SMR) field, we are pursuing projects with leading 3.5th generation SMR developers such as NuScale and GVH (GE Vernova-Hitachi)."He also stated, "Our strategy is to become a flexible design, procurement, and construction (EPC) company that can respond to the expanding SMR market, regardless of the model. If the large nuclear power market expands, we are likely to become a company that clients naturally seek out, leveraging our experience from the UAE Barakah project."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-23 09:08:00
  • Seoul, Washington inching closer to 1st investment project under bilateral trade deal
    Seoul, Washington 'inching closer to 1st investment project' under bilateral trade deal SEOUL, July 23 (AJP) - South Korea and the U.S. are discussing an energy-sector project that could become the first investment under their bilateral trade deal, with an announcement expected as early as late next month or in September. Trade, Industry and Energy Minister Kim Jung-kwan made the remarks after arriving in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday for a four-day visit to discuss investment and trade issues with U.S. officials including Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick. "We prefer projects that can generate stable cash flows," Kim told reporters. "From that perspective, energy-related projects appear to be more suitable, and our discussions with the U.S. are focused on those projects." Seoul and Washington have been discussing specific investment projects under the trade deal reached last fall, which includes Seoul's commitment to invest US$350 billion in the U.S., with an annual investment cap of $20 billion. "We are almost in the final stage," Kim said. "If we reach agreements on key issues, I think we may be able to make an announcement by late August or September." Kim added that the two countries have been in "very close" discussions to ensure the investment benefits both sides, stressing that commercial viability would be a key factor in selecting projects. "We will do our best to achieve a win-win outcome for South Korea and the U.S.," he said. During his stay in Washington, Kim is also scheduled to attend an opening ceremony on Thursday for a center established under the Korea-U.S. Shipbuilding Partnership Initiative (KUSPI). 2026-07-23 09:06:09
  • SK Magic Supplies Air Purifiers to Woori Bank Branches Nationwide
    SK Magic Supplies Air Purifiers to Woori Bank Branches Nationwide SK Magic has supplied air purifiers to Woori Bank branches across the country and will also provide regular maintenance services. The company is expanding its business-to-business (B2B) air management operations by combining product sales with installation, filter replacement, and parts inspection.On July 23, SK Intellix, the health platform brand of SK Magic, announced the completion of air purifier installations at Woori Bank branches nationwide.The installed product is the 'All Clean Air Purifier.' SK Magic assessed the size and internal structure of each branch beforehand to optimize the placement of the units for maximum air purification efficiency.The All Clean Air Purifier features a 360-degree design that allows it to draw in air from all directions, including near the floor, to quickly purify fine dust and contaminated air within the branches.The internal structure of the product allows for the disassembly and cleaning of key components, ensuring ongoing hygiene in bank branches that see a high volume of customers.SK Magic plans to utilize its nationwide service infrastructure to provide regular filter replacements and inspections of essential components, maintaining consistent performance of the air purifiers at each branch.This supply marks an addition to SK Magic's B2B air management business, providing both product installation and after-sales service to nationwide facilities.The All Clean Air Purifier has surpassed cumulative sales of 100,000 units within just one year of its launch. SK Magic aims to expand its supply to financial institutions and multi-use facilities by leveraging its sales experience and nationwide management network.An SK Intellix representative stated, "As banks are multi-use facilities frequented by many customers, maintaining a pleasant indoor environment is crucial. We will provide optimal air purification solutions based on our nationwide management infrastructure and systematic services."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-23 09:04:00
  • Qualcomm Expands Partnership with Samsung to Include New Galaxy Smartphones, Watches, and Intelligent Eyewear
    Qualcomm Expands Partnership with Samsung to Include New Galaxy Smartphones, Watches, and Intelligent Eyewear Qualcomm is expanding its collaboration with Samsung Electronics beyond smartphones to include smartwatches and intelligent eyewear. The strategy involves applying the next-generation Snapdragon platform across the Galaxy ecosystem to connect AI features across devices.At the Galaxy Unpacked event on July 23, Qualcomm announced that the Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra, Galaxy Z Fold8, and Galaxy Z Flip8 will be equipped with the 'Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5' for Galaxy.The Galaxy Watch9 and Galaxy Watch Ultra2 will feature the 'Snapdragon Wear Elite' platform, marking the first time this technology is used in Samsung smartwatches. The next-generation intelligent eyewear being developed by Samsung and Google will incorporate the 'Snapdragon AR1 Gen 1.'The Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 is a mobile platform that combines Qualcomm's Oryon CPU with next-generation graphics processing and neural processing units. Qualcomm stated that it has improved power efficiency while processing camera, gaming, and connectivity features in real-time on foldable smartphones.Snapdragon Wear Elite analyzes user activity and health status by combining signals from multiple sensors. This allows the Galaxy Watch to continuously monitor users' routines and provide personalized health information and behavioral guidance.The intelligent eyewear represents an extension of the collaboration between Samsung, Qualcomm, and Google's Android XR into smart glasses. Products designed in collaboration with Gentle Monster and Warby Parker are expected to be unveiled sequentially starting this fall.This partnership is significant as it broadens Qualcomm's semiconductor supply for Galaxy devices from a smartphone focus to include watches and smart glasses.Cristiano Amon, Qualcomm's CEO, stated, "We will implement on-device AI experiences that understand user contexts through the latest Galaxy smartphones, watches, and intelligent eyewear."Choi Won-jun, head of Samsung Electronics' MX Business Development and Chief Operating Officer, remarked, "We have optimized the Snapdragon platform for each Galaxy form factor, ensuring a consistent Galaxy experience across smartphones, watches, and smart glasses." 2026-07-23 09:00:00