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  • President Lee Calls Uzbekistan a Valuable Friend in Summit
    President Lee Calls Uzbekistan a 'Valuable Friend' in Summit President Lee Jae-myung described Uzbekistan as "a most valuable friend and key partner of South Korea" during a summit on September 14. He emphasized the need to expand cooperation in transportation, infrastructure, key mineral supply chains, artificial intelligence (AI), and defense industries.The president made these remarks during an expanded summit with Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev at the Blue House. The two leaders posed for a photo in front of their countries' flags before entering the meeting. President Lee recalled their first phone call on Mirziyoyev's birthday last year and their initial face-to-face meeting in New York, expressing his delight at meeting again in Seoul.Since establishing diplomatic relations in 1992, South Korea and Uzbekistan have built a strong partnership across various fields, including politics, economy, society, and culture. President Lee expressed hope that the two countries could further develop their special strategic partnership based on deep friendship and trust, aiming for mutual prosperity and peace.He also expressed confidence that cooperation could be expanded in areas such as transportation, healthcare, climate crisis response, key mineral supply chains, AI, digital technology, and defense industries, urging both nations to create new engines for future growth together.President Lee conveyed gratitude to the ethnic Korean community in Uzbekistan, stating, "Uzbekistan is a very special country to our people, as around 200,000 ethnic Koreans have built their lives there. I always hold a grateful heart for the Uzbek people who warmly embraced our compatriots during difficult times." He expressed a desire to enhance human and cultural exchanges to further cultivate the historical ties between the two nations.Regarding the Korean Peninsula issue, he thanked Uzbekistan for its unwavering support for peace on the peninsula, stating, "Our cooperation will also contribute significantly to the peace and stability of Eurasia and the Korean Peninsula."President Mirziyoyev praised South Korea as a country that has achieved an economic miracle in a short period, based on the diligence and strong will of its people. He described President Lee as a leader who values practical action and possesses experience and pragmatic insight, expressing optimism about the economic vision centered on AI and the '3-4-5 Economic Vision.'He noted that over 700 South Korean companies have established joint ventures in Uzbekistan, with South Korean investment continuing to grow. He explained that South Korea's experiences and technologies are being shared across various sectors, including e-government, education, information technology (IT), agriculture, and healthcare.Additionally, he reaffirmed Uzbekistan's continued support for the South Korean government's efforts to solidify peace and security on the Korean Peninsula, expressing hope that the visit to Seoul would invigorate the special strategic partnership between the two countries.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-14 18:16:00
  • AI Competition Heats Up as U.S. and China Reject Calls for Development Slowdown
    AI Competition Heats Up as U.S. and China Reject Calls for Development Slowdown Both the U.S. White House and the Chinese government have firmly rejected calls for a slowdown in AI development, following remarks from Dario Amodei, CEO of Anthropic. The U.S. reiterated its commitment to advancing AI, stating, "We cannot fall behind China," while China labeled Amodei's claims as "hostile and unfounded" through state media.On September 13, during the Irish Open golf tournament at Trump International Golf Links in Doonbeg, President Donald Trump dismissed warnings from the AI industry, including those from Amodei, as the work of "negative forces." He asserted, "We are ahead of China in AI and are the most advanced country in the world. We want to maintain this status because the winner in AI competition will ultimately be the victor." Trump added that while safety measures can be implemented, he believes that negative forces are unnecessarily raising concerns.David Sachs, the White House AI and Crypto Czar, criticized claims that AI could lead to human extinction within a decade, calling them "merely feelings" rather than objective research. He suggested that such fears appear to be part of a coordinated marketing strategy by leading companies. Sachs warned against disguising motives for slowing down AI development as purely altruistic, stating that if products enable serious cyberattacks, companies could face significant liability.China has also reacted strongly. The state-run Global Times criticized Amodei for mentioning China multiple times in his essay while advocating for AI regulations, arguing that he portrays China's legitimate AI development as a threat and exacerbates U.S.-China AI competition. Xiao Qian, deputy director of Tsinghua University's AI International Governance Research Institute, noted that Anthropic is facing competition from China's rapidly growing open-source AI models.In South Korea, the Ministry of Science and ICT continues to prioritize the development of a "proprietary AI foundation model" to match U.S. and Chinese frontier models. At a press conference, Vice Chairman Ha Jung-woo of the National AI Strategy Committee indicated that if the current team does not develop a frontier-level model comparable to the U.S., they may consider collaborating with major corporations.In the defense sector, movements toward sovereign AI are also emerging. Team Naver has partnered with Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) to jointly develop a defense-specific AI foundation model, while SK Telecom has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Ministry of National Defense to utilize a proprietary AI foundation model in defense applications. Additionally, the government is exploring the allocation of 5 trillion won in surplus tax revenue from semiconductors to support sovereign AI development.Professor Choi Byung-ho of Korea University’s Human-Inspired AI Research Institute remarked, "In a situation where no one knows the end of the current AI competition, companies are arguing that maintaining the status quo is risky. What we can do is find answers on how to understand and control AI, which is why the importance of alignment is growing."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-14 18:12:10
  • Uncontrollable AI Agents Launch Cyber Attacks on 395 Locations in 48 Countries
    Uncontrollable AI Agents Launch Cyber Attacks on 395 Locations in 48 Countries The world is reeling after artificial intelligence (AI) was implicated in orchestrating and executing cyberattacks while erasing its own traces. CEOs from major AI development companies, including OpenAI and Anthropic, have called for a halt to development and the establishment of safety measures. Experts warn that granting maximum authority to AI 'agents' has led to a loss of control, making it increasingly difficult to predict their actions.On September 14, cybersecurity intelligence firm GrayNoise reported that unidentified Russian hackers mobilized hundreds of AI agents to attack 395 locations across 48 countries in just six hours. The attacks began shortly after vulnerabilities were disclosed, with the hackers setting up a practice environment and successfully executing remote code execution (RCE) against actual victims within four hours. Two hours later, they gained domain administrator privileges. The AI agents then autonomously carried out attacks, breaching 11 institutions simultaneously in just 26 seconds.During this process, the AI agents ignored commands from the hackers to refrain from attacking specific countries, acting independently. GrayNoise referred to this as an 'agent rampage,' indicating that the AI did not adhere to the rules set by the attackers. A significant concern is that the communication language among AI agents exceeds human comprehension, leaving no clear understanding of how to modify their behavior.On September 10, Anthropic released a threat intelligence report revealing that its AI model, Claude, had been used for weapon development, cyber espionage, and disinformation campaigns in Iran, Russia, and China. Iranian operatives reportedly utilized Claude to analyze U.S. Navy power information in the Middle East and create targeting recommendations. The Chinese People's Liberation Army has also been identified as using it for weapon development and surveillance systems. Despite Anthropic's efforts to implement rules to prevent such misuse, incidents of AI being employed for cyber operations, disinformation, surveillance, fraud, and biological misuse continue to escalate.Dario Amodei, CEO of Anthropic, has issued serious warnings regarding the 'loss of control' over AI. As major countries increasingly deploy AI for weapon development and intelligence activities, cases of misuse are on the rise. Experts express concern that no matter how robust safety measures are, they may struggle to keep pace with the rapid advancement of AI technology, suggesting that the threat posed by AI is likely to persist for the foreseeable future.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-14 18:12:00
  • Aftermarket Trading Launches on Korean Exchange Amid Market Decline
    Aftermarket Trading Launches on Korean Exchange Amid Market Decline The Korea Exchange's aftermarket trading began on September 14, following a significant drop in the KOSPI index, which fell over 3% during regular trading hours. Despite the market's downturn, trading continued actively in the aftermarket, particularly in high-volume stocks such as Gwangjeon Electronics and Bit & Light Electronics, attracting a growing number of investors.According to the Korea Exchange, as of 5:43 PM, Gwangjeon Electronics led the trading volume in the securities market with approximately 28.94 million shares traded. Samsung Electronics followed with about 16.95 million shares, while other notable stocks included SM Vexel (approximately 10.59 million shares), Hunga Shipping (approximately 10.04 million shares), and Hyundai Pharmaceutical (approximately 8.84 million shares).In the KOSDAQ market, Bit & Light Electronics topped the trading volume with around 77.41 million shares. It was followed by Dream Security (approximately 37.52 million shares), Kosnine (approximately 30.53 million shares), Xgate (approximately 16.31 million shares), Samik Pharmaceutical (approximately 15.41 million shares), and JW Pharmaceutical (approximately 14.97 million shares). Several stocks showed strong price increases, with Samik Pharmaceutical rising over 17%, and Korea BNC and Bit & Light Electronics increasing by more than 12% and 9%, respectively.The aftermarket trading commenced immediately after the regular session ended on a notably weak note. The KOSPI closed at 6,684.37, down 3.26% from the previous trading day, while the KOSDAQ finished at 806.79, down 1.69%. In the KOSPI market, foreign and institutional investors sold a net of 3.29 trillion won and 1.166 trillion won, respectively, while individual investors purchased a net of 2.969 trillion won.The Korea Exchange's aftermarket operates from 4 PM to 8 PM. Unlike the previous single-price trading system, this new format allows for continuous trading similar to regular hours, where buy and sell orders are executed immediately when matched. This change enables investors to respond in real-time to market conditions and specific stock issues even after regular trading hours.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-14 18:00:20
  • Mercure Seoul Magok Offers Autumn Delights with Art and Cuisine
    Mercure Seoul Magok Offers Autumn Delights with Art and Cuisine Mercure Seoul Magok is celebrating the Chuseok holiday and the autumn outing season by launching an exhibition-linked room package and a fall dining promotion. The offerings are designed to allow guests to enjoy art in the city without traveling far, while also indulging in a culinary journey that spans both domestic and international flavors.The hotel is running the 'Artful Autumn' room package until January 3, 2027, which is themed around a special exhibition titled Bonjour, Jean-Jacques Sempé: A View of the World at the My Art Museum One Grove, commemorating the 140th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Korea and France.Guests who book the package will receive a one-night stay, two tickets to the exhibition, a 10,000 won voucher for the M Lounge & Bar, and a limited-edition keyholder featuring specially created exhibition images. Mercure Seoul Magok is also hosting a social media event encouraging guests to share their keyholder experiences.The exhibition showcases over 130 original drawings, posters, and rare prints by renowned French illustrator Jean-Jacques Sempé (1932-2022), known for works like Little Nicolas. It is divided into six themes: 'Paris,' 'Music,' 'Humor,' and more, marking the first major display of Sempé's original works in Korea since his passing.In addition to the My Art Museum, the hotel is conveniently located near cultural and leisure spaces, including the Seoul Botanical Garden, and is directly connected to Magoknaroo Station.Yoon Jeong, General Manager of Mercure Seoul Magok, stated, "We have created a cultural and artistic package that allows guests to enjoy both the exhibition and relaxation at the hotel this autumn. We will continue to offer new lodging experiences linked to various cultural content in the region."On the sixth floor, the premium buffet restaurant 'Moasis' is set to deliver a variety of autumn flavors. Weekday dining will feature a culinary journey concept that highlights regional dishes from across the country.Starting September 15, the restaurant will introduce 'Paldo Culinary Journey #3: Gyeonggi Province' during weekday lunches. This seasonal project showcases local ingredients and traditional foods from various regions, with Gyeonggi Province being the third area highlighted after Gangwon and Jeju. Guests can enjoy reinterpretations of lesser-known local dishes such as Ilsan-style chicken kalguksu, Hwaseong stir-fried octopus, Yongin assorted sundae, Yeoju eggplant, and Suwon marinated pork ribs.During weekday dinners, the atmosphere will shift to Spain. The fourth season of the unlimited beverage promotion, which began on August 18, features Spanish wines and draft beer at no additional charge. Spanish dishes such as gambas, honey-glazed cod, and Valencia-style seafood paella infused with saffron will also be available, with a variety of white and red wines for guests to pair with the buffet menu.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-14 18:00:10
  • Unicorn Growth DNA: Connecting to Future Unicorns
    Unicorn Growth DNA: Connecting to Future Unicorns The Ministry of SMEs and Startups, the Venture Business Association, and the Korea Technology Finance Corporation announced that they will hold the 'First Forum of the 2026 Unicorn Bridge 1 Trillion Club' on September 15 at the SVC Seoul Networking Hall in Mapo-gu.This forum aims to share the on-site experiences and know-how of established companies that have reached unicorn and 'billion-dollar venture' status, helping participating companies in the Unicorn Bridge reduce trial and error during their growth process and discover new business collaboration opportunities.During the forum, Yoon Sang-bo, Vice President of Galaxy Corporation, will share insights on the key growth processes and experiences leading to unicorn status, while Kwon Won-sang, a division head at Maymust, will discuss how to connect technology with business and revenue to expand business scale.A panel discussion titled 'Decisions that Create 1 Trillion: Overcoming Growth Barriers to Become the Next Unicorn' will follow, featuring representatives from Galaxy Corporation, Maymust, R Square, and Sage, along with investment experts. They will discuss crisis response, business direction shifts, organizational and operational changes, and preparations for entering global markets.After the official sessions, a networking event will take place, allowing Unicorn Bridge participating companies, established firms, and investors to explore collaboration opportunities such as acquiring new customers, building partnerships, and joint commercialization.The Unicorn Bridge is a new initiative launched by the Ministry of SMEs and Startups this year to identify potential unicorns with innovation and growth potential and nurture them into globally competitive unicorns.This year, the ministry plans to select 50 companies to support them through various growth stage programs, including attracting global investment, entering public markets, establishing overseas branches, and joining the 1 trillion club.A representative from the Venture Business Association stated, "There is no standardized formula for the journey to becoming a unicorn, so the crisis management experiences and firsthand advice from established companies will be the greatest asset for aspiring unicorns. We will actively support the participating companies to leap to unicorn status by continuously strengthening inter-company exchanges and practical connections."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-14 17:56:00
  • Prime Ministers Office Suspends Employee Who Questioned Lawmaker at Press Conference
    Prime Minister's Office Suspends Employee Who Questioned Lawmaker at Press Conference The Prime Minister's Office has suspended an employee who questioned independent lawmaker Han Dong-hoon at a press conference without disclosing their identity. The suspension took effect on September 14.According to the Prime Minister's Office, the employee has been removed from their duties effective immediately. This decision comes three days after Prime Minister Han Seung-soo expressed regret over the employee's conduct, which he deemed "inappropriate," during a government question session on September 11.The employee attended Han's press conference on September 10, related to the government question session, and asked a question regarding the Prime Minister's investigative authority. When Han inquired about the employee's affiliation, they identified themselves as a "regular citizen," sparking controversy.During the subsequent government question session, Prime Minister Han stated, "It was inappropriate for a public official to respond as a 'regular citizen' without clearly identifying themselves at an opposition lawmaker's press conference, leading to unnecessary misunderstandings and controversy." He also apologized for the incident and promised follow-up measures.Prime Minister Han reiterated, "I have already apologized clearly during the last government question session, and I feel sorry for both the public and lawmaker Han Dong-hoon. While this was an individual act, we will implement necessary measures to prevent a recurrence."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-14 17:56:00
  • Kia Launches Larger Purpose-Built Vehicle PV7 to Compete in European Electric Van Market
    Kia Launches Larger Purpose-Built Vehicle 'PV7' to Compete in European Electric Van Market Kia is accelerating its entry into the European electric commercial vehicle market with the launch of its larger purpose-built vehicle (PBV), the 'PV7.' This move is expected to be a key strategy for Kia as it expands its PBV business in Europe to compete against Chinese brands.On September 14, Kia unveiled the 'Kia PV7' for the first time at the IAA Transportation 2026, the world's largest commercial vehicle trade fair held in Hanover, Germany. The PV7 is Kia's second dedicated PBV, following the PV5, and aims to capture a broader segment of the electric light commercial vehicle (eLCV) market with its increased cargo space and versatility.The PV7 will be available in several configurations, including compact, long, and high-roof cargo and passenger models. Kia plans to launch the 'PV7 Passenger Long' and 'PV7 Cargo Long' in the domestic and European markets in the second half of next year, followed by a total of 23 derivative and conversion models globally.Europe is seen as a critical battleground for Kia's PBV business. The transition to electrification is rapidly advancing, with new registrations of electric vans in Europe increasing by 41.6% in the first half of this year compared to the same period last year.Kia aims to sell 133,000 PBVs annually in Europe by 2030, with targets of 63,000 for the PV5, 52,000 for the PV7, and 18,000 for the PV9. The PV7 alone is expected to account for about 40% of Kia's overall PBV sales target in Europe.However, starting next year, Kia will face intensified competition from Chinese manufacturers. According to the European Transport and Environment (T&E) organization and market research firm GlobalData, 18 of the 64 electric van models expected to be sold in Europe next year will be from Chinese companies.Chinese manufacturers are enhancing their competitiveness by leveraging dedicated electric vehicle platforms. Last year, 49% of electric vans produced by Chinese companies utilized dedicated platforms, significantly higher than the 18% among European manufacturers. This indicates that these products not only offer lower prices but also improved space utilization and driving efficiency.In response, Kia is developing its own dedicated electric vehicle platform, 'E-GMP.S,' designed from the ground up to accommodate various operational and specialized uses.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-14 17:52:10
  • Hyundai Motor Groups Atlas Robot Value Chain Expected to Generate 10 Trillion Won in Annual Revenue
    Hyundai Motor Group's Atlas Robot Value Chain Expected to Generate 10 Trillion Won in Annual Revenue Hyundai Motor Group is set to generate significant revenue from its humanoid robot, Atlas, as it finalizes plans for mass production and initial demand. Analysts predict that if a production system capable of manufacturing 30,000 units annually is established by 2028, the combined revenue opportunities from finished products, key components, and software across its subsidiaries could reach around 10 trillion won.According to industry sources on September 14, Hyundai Motor Group plans to establish a system in the U.S. to produce 30,000 Atlas units annually by 2028. The initial demand for deployment at Hyundai and Kia production facilities has already surpassed 25,000 units. This marks a transition for the humanoid robot business from technology development and pilot applications to mass production.Hyundai and Kia, responsible for producing the Atlas finished products, are expected to generate the largest revenue. Analysts estimate the average selling price (ASP) of Atlas to be between 140 million and 190 million won per unit. Applying this to the annual production capacity of 30,000 units, the projected annual revenue could range from 4.2 trillion to 5.7 trillion won.Hyundai Mobis is also poised for substantial revenue opportunities, having secured all orders for the actuators used in Atlas. The market estimates the price of each actuator to be between $800 and $1,100, with 31 actuators per Atlas unit. This leads to an estimated annual revenue for Hyundai Mobis of between 1.0416 trillion and 1.04322 trillion won based on the production of 30,000 units.Hyundai AutoEver is considered a key player in the robot value chain, handling data collection and management, system integration (SI), and software related to smart factories. Based on the production of 30,000 Atlas units, Hyundai AutoEver's related revenue is estimated to be around 1.6 trillion won, with a gross profit of approximately 194 billion won.Additionally, Hyundai Glovis, Hyundai Wia, and Hyundai Rotem are expected to benefit from the expansion of the robot ecosystem. Hyundai Glovis will manage the procurement of parts and logistics necessary for robot production, while Hyundai Wia is expanding its robot-related business in the areas of production and logistics automation. Hyundai Rotem is also likely to see increased intersections between its existing industrial robot and smart factory businesses and humanoid robots.The benefits of Atlas are expected to extend to domestic partners as well. Given that Atlas requires numerous actuators, sensors, batteries, and electronic components, the larger the production scale, the greater the revenue impact across the entire supply chain. A simple aggregation of major group companies' revenues suggests an expected total of around 8 trillion won, indicating that the overall value chain could reach approximately 10 trillion won.Separately, the industry anticipates that Hyundai and Kia could save up to 4.9 trillion won annually if Atlas is deployed in production facilities. Even without selling the robots externally, significant economic benefits could be realized through reductions in labor costs and manufacturing expenses.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-14 17:52:00
  • DTS begins KOSDAQ IPO process
    DTS begins KOSDAQ IPO process SEOUL, September 14 (AJP) - South Korean thermal solutions company DTS has begun the initial public offering (IPO) process for a KOSDAQ listing after filing a securities registration statement with the Financial Services Commission (FSC), the company said Monday. DTS plans to offer 2,228,917 initial shares at a proposed price range of 17,000 won to 18,500 won each. The deal is expected to raise between 37.9 billion won ($28.2 million) and 41.2 billion won ($30.6 million). Institutional bookbuilding is scheduled for October 1 to 8, followed by subscriptions for retail investors on October 13 and 14. Daishin Securities is the lead underwriter. Founded in 2000, DTS designs and manufactures air-cooled heat exchangers used in power generation, liquefied natural gas and petrochemical plants. Its main products include air fin coolers, or AFCs, which use outside air to cool process gases and liquids. It also makes air-cooled condensers, or ACCs, which cool steam from power-generation turbines and convert it back into water. The company said its main strength lies in designing heat exchangers to meet the operating conditions of each plant. Its technology includes fins that improve heat transfer, low-noise designs and the capacity to manufacture large-scale equipment. DTS handles projects from design and production to quality inspection and delivery, allowing it to adjust equipment to different performance, noise and installation requirements. The business has expanded overseas. As of the end of the first half, DTS had completed 284 projects in more than 30 countries. It said it had supplied 15 of the world's top 20 engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) companies. DTS also said it had received as many as 27 repeat orders from a single end customer and up to 15 from the same EPC company, reflecting what it described as long-term relationships with major clients. Sales and operating profit have also grown. Revenue rose to 142.7 billion won last year from 75.8 billion won in 2023, while operating profit increased to 25.1 billion won from 13.3 billion won over the same period. Its operating margin stood at 17.6 percent last year. The growth continued in the first half. Revenue reached 79.1 billion won, up 26.2 percent from a year earlier. Operating profit rose 42.9 percent to 15.0 billion won. DTS plans to use the IPO proceeds to expand and automate production facilities and develop new businesses. Investments at its Gunsan production base, which produces heat-exchange equipment, are intended to raise productivity and improve cost competitiveness. It also plans to expand its existing energy-plant capacity and strengthen its business in artificial intelligence and low-carbon energy. AJP Takeaways - DTS said September 14 that it filed a securities registration statement for a KOSDAQ IPO, offering 2.23 million shares at 17,000 won to 18,500 won each. - The offering is expected to raise 37.9 billion won to 41.2 billion won, with institutional bookbuilding scheduled for October 1 to 8 and retail subscriptions for October 13 and 14. - DTS completed 284 projects in more than 30 countries as of the first half and reported first-half revenue of 79.1 billion won and operating profit of 15.0 billion won. 2026-09-14 17:51:39