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Samsung Bioepis Selects Two Companies for Open Innovation Program with Seoul Biohub Samsung Bioepis has selected two companies to participate in its open innovation program in collaboration with Seoul Biohub. The selected companies will enter into agreements to support the commercialization of next-generation biotechnologies.On July 22, Samsung Bioepis held a signing ceremony with the two participating companies at its headquarters in Songdo, Incheon. Attendees included representatives from Samsung Bioepis, the Seoul city government, Seoul Biohub, and the participating companies, who engaged in welcoming remarks, introductions of the companies and the program, and the signing of agreements.The open innovation program began recruiting promising domestic biotech firms in May. The final selections, Fraser Therapeutics and BionSite, possess innovative technologies. Fraser Therapeutics specializes in targeted protein degradation (TPD) technology that selectively removes disease-causing proteins, while BionSite is developing drug target discovery technology based on mass spectrometry and artificial intelligence (AI).This program, operated by Seoul Biohub and Samsung Bioepis, aims to expand collaboration opportunities between domestic biotech startups and global biotech companies, enhancing the commercialization potential of next-generation biotechnologies.To support the growth of the selected companies, Samsung Bioepis will provide advanced technology development, mentoring, and commercialization consulting. After the program concludes, a final evaluation will determine the feasibility of practical collaborations, including joint research, technology transfer, co-commercialization, and strategic investments.The company plans to accelerate the discovery of domestic biotech startups that can connect with its antibody and peptide-based therapeutic technologies and AI drug development platforms.Kim Kyung-ah, CEO of Samsung Bioepis, stated, "This program enables the discovery and early acquisition of next-generation biotechnologies. We will strive to expand collaboration opportunities with promising biotech firms and contribute to the continuous growth of the domestic biotech ecosystem."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-22 15:32:00 -
Hanyang Securities Launches Special Sale of 8% RP for Limited Accounts A new financial product offering an annual interest rate of 8% has been introduced, significantly higher than typical bank savings rates.Hanyang Securities announced on July 22 that it will sell its 'Third Special Sale of Structured Repurchase Agreements (RP)' with a pre-tax interest rate of 8.0%.This product is a limited-time offer, available from today until August 31, or until the first 1,000 accounts are filled. It is open to both existing customers using the Hanyang Securities MTS app and new clients.Customers can choose a contract period ranging from 28 to 91 days. The maximum purchase limit is set at 5 million won for the first transaction. Notably, the selling interest rate of 8.0% (pre-tax) is more than double the typical RP rates in the securities industry, which range from 2.4% to 2.6%, and also exceeds the highest rates offered by major banks for fixed-term savings, which are between 3.0% and 3.95%. However, if customers opt for early redemption, a lower interest rate of 2.0% (pre-tax) will apply.Recently, the securities industry has seen intensified competition as firms focus on attracting new customers through short-term investment products like RPs and issuance notes, leveraging MTS usage to enhance asset acquisition and diversify financial product offerings.A representative from Hanyang Securities stated, "This special sale RP provides customers with a competitive investment opportunity and is designed to promote the use of our MTS platform. We will continue to introduce various financial products and services that reflect customer investment demands." 2026-07-22 15:28:00
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Legislative Committee Advances Criminal Procedure Law Review, Confirms Abolition of Supplementary Investigation Rights 국회 법제사법위원회는 22일 여당 주도로 법안심사1소위원회를 열고 검찰의 보완수사권 폐지를 골자로 한 형사소송법 개정안 심사에 나섰다. 보완수사권 존치 법안이 거론됐지만 완전 폐지 입장을 재확인한 것으로 보인다. 법사위 여당 간사이자 1소위 위원장인 김승원 더불어민주당 의원은 이날 국회에서 회의를 마친 뒤 기자들과 만나 "홍기원·정점식·서영교 의원안 등 형사소송법 개정안 3건에 대한 심사를 마무리했다"며 "내일 법안 심사 소위를 개최해 병합 심사를 이어가고, 개정안별 쟁점을 정리해 대안 조문 마련에 중점을 두겠다"고 밝혔다. 홍기원 의원안은 수사·기소 분리 원칙에 따라 검사의 수사개시권과 보완수사권을 원칙적으로 폐지하되, 중대·긴급범죄에 한해 예외적으로 검사의 보완수사를 허용하는 내용을 담았다. 정점식 의원안은 검사의 직접수사권과 보완수사권을 폭넓게 유지하고, 공소 취소 조항을 삭제하는 내용을 담고 있다. 서영교 의원안은 피해자 보호를 강화했다. 구체적으로 피해자의 이의제기권과 형사소송 참가제도 신설, 국가수사인권보호관 설치 등을 통해 피해자 권리를 강화하는 내용이 포함됐다. 김 의원은 "국민을 위한 형사사법 체계 완성에 목표를 두고 △수사기록 전자화 △수사 품질 향상 △신속한 사건 처리 등을 중점적으로 사법 체계를 재설계하겠다"고 했다. 소위에 참석한 의원들은 보완수사권 존치 가능성에 대해 선을 그었다. 김용민 민주당 의원은 "검찰에 집중된 권한을 분산하고 상호 견제하도록 만드는 것이 검찰 개혁의 가장 바람직한 모습"이라며 "보완수사권도 수사권인 만큼 검찰에 남겨두지 않는다는 정부와 민주당의 입장은 분명하다"고 말했다. 이어 "피해자 보호는 검사에게 보완수사권을 주고 검사가 선의를 갖고 그 문제를 해결하기를 바라보는 관점으로 접근할 문제는 아니다"며 "피해자가 권리를 얼마나 보장받을 수 있는지에 대한 권리적 차원에서 접근해야 한다"고 강조했다. 박은정 조국혁신당 의원도 "현행 형사소송법에도 별건 수사가 금지돼 있지만 최근 민주당 돈봉투 사건과 카카오 김범수 의장 사건에서 별건 수사로 무죄가 선고됐다"며 "수사 당시에는 별건 수사에 대해 다툴 방법이 없고 수년 뒤 무죄를 받더라도 수사권 남용에 따른 피해는 회복되지 않는다"고 지적했다. 국민의힘 의원들이 법안 심사에 불참한 것에 대해선 "처음부터 법안 심사 소위 참여를 요청했지만 참여는 안 하고 법안을 내는 행동에 대해 규탄한다"며 "국민의힘이 뒤늦게 소위에 들어와서 (법안) 처리를 지연시키는 몽니를 부린다면 국민들이 굉장히 분노할 것"이라고 덧붙였다.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-22 15:28:00
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Investigation into Voting Ballot Shortage Leads to First Suspect Interrogation in Gwangjin District The joint investigation team probing the voting ballot shortage during the June 3 local elections has summoned an official from the Gwangjin District Election Commission as a suspect.On July 22, the team is questioning A, the head of the Gwangjin District Election Commission, on charges of violating the Public Official Election Act and neglecting duties. This marks the first suspect interrogation since the team was established 43 days ago on June 9.Gwangjin is one of five districts in Seoul, including Songpa, Gangnam, Seocho, and Dongjak, where a voting ballot shortage occurred on the main election day, July 3.Previously, on July 11, the investigation team conducted searches at the election commissions of the five districts, as well as the Central Election Commission in Gwacheon and the Seoul Election Commission, identifying over ten individuals, including former Central Election Commission Chairman Noh Tae-ak and former Secretary General Heo Cheol-hoon, as suspects in the search warrant.The investigation team is expected to examine when A became aware of the potential ballot shortage and the subsequent response process to determine if any illegal actions occurred.Meanwhile, the investigation team has been conducting raids at the Central Election Commission for three consecutive days since July 20, related to allegations of Noh's business trips for personal gain.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-22 15:28:00
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Affinit Launches Credit Card Brokerage Service in India Targeting Middle Class Fintech company Affinit has launched a credit card brokerage service aimed at India's middle class.On July 22, Affinit announced that it has introduced the credit card brokerage service through its Indian subsidiary, TrueBalance.The service allows users to apply for credit cards via the TrueBalance app, which connects them with partner banks for issuance support. Affinit has partnered with IDFC Bank to kick off the service and plans to expand collaborations with major banks such as SBI and HDFC in the future.Using its proprietary AI alternative credit scoring system and AI financial decision-making platform, Affinit analyzes applicants' suitability in advance. This approach aims to facilitate easier and faster credit card issuance for India's middle class, who may have limited financial transaction histories.The new credit card brokerage service expands TrueBalance's existing offerings of small loans and insurance brokerage into the credit card sector. Affinit envisions becoming a comprehensive financial platform that provides loan, insurance, and credit card services all in one place.Lee Cheol-won, CEO of Affinit, stated, "In India, only about 7% of the population currently uses credit cards. We aim to evolve into a platform that supports the overall financial lives of the Indian middle class."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-22 15:28:00
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Dongwha Pharmaceutical's 'Soda Hwal' Now Available at Lotteria Nationwide Dongwha Pharmaceutical's zero-sugar, zero-calorie carbonated drink, 'Soda Hwal,' is now available at Lotteria locations across the country. Customers can choose Soda Hwal as a substitute for the standard carbonated drink when ordering set menus.On July 22, Dongwha Pharmaceutical announced that Soda Hwal will be sold at all Lotteria outlets. This marks the company's first collaboration with a restaurant franchise brand. The partnership aims to allow consumers to enjoy the refreshing taste of Soda Hwal alongside their burgers through Lotteria's extensive distribution network.Launched in May, Soda Hwal is a zero-calorie carbonated beverage that combines Dongwha's 'Gas Hwal Core Concentrate' with a cooling flavor. It contains 10mg of Gas Hwal Core Concentrate, which is made from a blend of three ingredients: cinnamon, dried ginger, and cardamom, and is characterized by its refreshing sensation in the mouth and throat.Dongwha Pharmaceutical expects that Soda Hwal will complement Lotteria's menu by providing a refreshing drink option after consuming a burger. The company plans to expand opportunities for consumers to experience Soda Hwal alongside dining options and to broaden its reach among younger consumers.A representative from Dongwha Pharmaceutical stated, "This collaboration is significant as it offers a new beverage option that can be enjoyed with burgers. We hope that Soda Hwal will be a great choice for consumers looking for a drink that refreshes the palate after a meal."Meanwhile, Dongwha Pharmaceutical has been expanding its consumer engagement by launching its skin barrier care brand, Hushiderm, in Daiso stores and online marketplaces since May.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-22 15:24:00
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Coupang unit to fully compensate sellers for warehouse fire losses SEOUL, July 22 (AJP) - Coupang Fulfillment Services (CFS) announced Wednesday it will fully compensate third-party sellers for inventory destroyed in a fire at its logistics center in Incheon, moving to shield its merchant partners from mounting operational losses. The blaze, which broke out at the Seoknam-dong complex, gutted stock belonging to sellers enrolled in Rocket Growth, Coupang's fulfillment service in which merchants entrust goods to the company for storage and delivery. Compensation will extend beyond the area consumed by the flames to inventory left untouched by the fire, the company said, covering secondary damage such as delayed retrieval and dust contamination. As a result, stock held at the 31, 41, 42 and 43 centers — housed in the same building as the fire-hit No. 32 center, where inbound shipments had been suspended — also qualifies for reimbursement. The company said it will tally each seller's inventory and, from mid-August, individually notify merchants of their total compensation, expected payout dates and a pared-down set of requirements, waiving cumbersome documentation such as invoices and packaging footage. CFS added that it will run a dedicated Rocket Growth consultation channel offering one-on-one support, saying it would spare no effort to ensure its partners do not face managerial hardship because of the incident. 2026-07-22 15:21:45 -
Toss Establishes 'CEO Project Lead' Position to Accelerate Innovation Toss, operated by Viva Republica, has created a dedicated position to work alongside the CEO on key projects. This move comes as the company rapidly expands its business scope and organizational size, necessitating a separate leader for critical tasks that cannot be assigned to specific teams.According to reports from the fintech industry on July 22, Toss has recently established the 'CEO Project Lead' role. The CEO Project Lead will collaborate with CEO Lee Seung-gun to review major service and product strategies and drive essential projects across various departments.Toss is enhancing its competitiveness as a financial platform while quickly broadening its business reach. The company is advancing key services such as personalized financial recommendations using artificial intelligence (AI), a face payment service called FacePay, and document automatic recognition (OCR). It is also improving product development efficiency by implementing its own design system and AI-based user experience (UX) design tools.Additionally, Toss is launching new services, including Toss Pay and tax services, expanding its reach as a lifestyle-oriented platform. In line with this business expansion, the number of employees surged from 1,126 at the end of 2024 to 1,986 by the end of last year, marking a 76.4% increase in just one year.As both the business and organization grow, there is a need for a role that can coordinate projects across different teams. With increasing complexity in service interconnections and more collaborative tasks involving multiple departments, it appears that the company has appointed a dedicated person to work closely with the CEO.The inaugural CEO Project Lead is Hyun-min Cho, who has experience in product growth and platform strategy. Cho studied political economy at UC Berkeley and has worked at global tech companies and startups, including Google, Turnitin, Hyperconnect, and Grip Labs, focusing on product growth, data business, and global strategy.Cho joined Toss Bank last year, where he led the newly established Growth organization, the first of its kind in the banking sector. He oversaw customer expansion strategies and service growth, managing Toss Bank's platform expansion efforts.A fintech industry insider noted, 'Toss operates a structure where various services are organically connected within a single app, leading to an inevitable increase in projects requiring inter-departmental coordination. Given that CEO Lee Seung-gun is deeply involved in the service development process, the CEO Project Lead will also play a crucial role in advancing key service initiatives alongside the CEO.'* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-22 15:20:00
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Chinese Man Fakes Death to Escape DUI Charges A Chinese man facing charges for drunk driving staged his own death with the help of his family and then fled to another region, only to be apprehended by police.The South China Morning Post reported that the prosecutor's office in Anyang, Henan province, disclosed the incident to local media on July 22.The man, identified by the surname Xi, was arrested in January of last year for drunk driving. Police investigations revealed he had a history of two prior offenses for driving without a license while intoxicated. Xi was released on bail during the investigation.Fearing a prison sentence, Xi decided to fake his own death. He later stated during police questioning that he felt anxious about the possibility of a guilty verdict due to mounting debts and his criminal record, which he believed would make it difficult to restart his life.In June of last year, Xi purchased a coffin and scattered empty pill bottles around his home. He then held his breath and used cooling equipment to lower his body temperature, making it appear as though he had died from a drug overdose.His family participated in the plan. Xi's mother and grandmother covered his face with a cloth, claiming it was disfigured from drugs, and hurriedly buried the coffin before sunset. Xi then fled to Yunnan province in southwestern China, claiming he was looking for a job.When police responded to the death report, they were unable to verify the body as the coffin had already been buried. However, they found it suspicious that the family had prepared the coffin without attempting any emergency measures.Investigations revealed that there were no death certificates, cremation records, or documents for canceling his household registration. Relatives and villagers also stated that only Xi's mother and grandmother had seen his face directly.After reviewing CCTV footage, bank transactions, and call records, police concluded that Xi was alive and began tracking him down.Xi was captured in April. The court sentenced him to five months in prison and fined him 20,000 yuan (approximately $3,900) the following month. Police also launched an investigation into Xi's mother and grandmother for concealing a criminal.The prosecutor handling the case stated, "Faking one's death to evade the law is not only futile but can lead to more severe criminal liability."The incident has garnered over 10 million views on Chinese social media, sparking widespread discussion. One user remarked, "Is it really that hard to avoid drunk driving? He tried every trick to escape punishment but ultimately got caught."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-22 15:20:00
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Cha Women's Medical Institute Expands Seoul Station Center on 10th Anniversary Cha Women's Medical Institute at Seoul Station has completed its center expansion and has begun full-scale medical services to mark its 10th anniversary. The institute has enhanced its infertility treatment capabilities by optimizing patient flow, strengthening its collaborative treatment system, and upgrading its infection control infrastructure.On July 22, the institute announced that it has officially started medical services following the completion of the expansion.The key changes from the expansion include optimized patient flow and a strengthened collaborative treatment system. To comprehensively identify and treat infertility causes, the internal medicine and urology departments have been relocated and expanded, enhancing interdepartmental collaboration. Additional obstetrics and gynecology examination rooms have also been added to provide more detailed management of patients' underlying conditions and pregnancy preparation processes.Improvements have also been made to facility safety and infection control systems. The research facility's culture room has been renovated, and a new central supply room, comparable to that of a university hospital, has been established to ensure the sterilization and management of instruments and equipment used in procedures.As it celebrates its 10th anniversary this year, Cha Women's Medical Institute at Seoul Station plans to strengthen its medical capabilities by utilizing the expanded infrastructure, led by Director Yoon Tae-ki and Deputy Directors Kim Yoo-shin and Kim Hye-ok, who specialize in infertility treatment.Director Yoon Tae-ki stated, "With our newly revamped infrastructure and AI-based smart medical environment, we are embarking on a leap forward for the next decade. We aim to bring the joy of healthy pregnancies to infertility patients worldwide and to become a leading center for global infertility treatment."Cha Women's Medical Institute at Seoul Station, which opened in 2016, is the largest infertility center in Asia. It operates a 30-egg bank for women's fertility preservation and offers customized reproductive health management programs for infertility patients.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-22 15:20:00