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South Korea to Host National Real Estate Forum on July 23 이재명 대통령이 오는 23일 부동산 정책 국민 대토론회를 열고 주택 공급과 금융, 세제 전반에 대한 국민 의견을 직접 듣는다. 학계와 시장 전문가뿐만 아니라 맘카페 운영진과 공인중개사 등 부동산 현장의 목소리를 대변할 인사들도 참석한다.21일 청와대에 따르면 토론회는 오는 23일 오전 10시부터 100분간 진행될 예정이다. 이 대통령의 모두발언을 시작으로 사전 의견 수렴 결과 발표, 분야별 전문가 발제, 자유토론, 대통령 마무리 발언 순으로 이어진다.전문가 발제는 공급·금융·세제 등 3개 분야로 나뉜다. 공급 분야는 진미윤 명지대 부동산대학원 주임교수가, 금융 분야는 김영도 금융연구원 연구위원이, 세제 분야는 강성훈 한양대 정책학과 교수가 각각 맡는다.행사에는 정부와 학계, 연구기관, 시장 전문가, 언론, 업계, 시민단체, 일반 국민 등 140명이 참석한다.정부에서는 재정경제부와 국토교통부, 금융위원회, 행정안전부 관계자 등이 자리하며, 전문가 그룹에는 국토연구원과 조세재정연구원, 금융연구원, 부동산 R114 관계자 등이 포함됐다. 언론사에서도 현직 논설위원과 부동산 부장 등이 참석한다.국민 참석자도 대거 참여한다. 우선 대한주택건설협회, 금융협회, 건설사, 금융기관 등을 비롯해 부동산 유튜버 및 온라인 커뮤니티 운영진, 공인중개사, 시민·청년단체, 일반 국민 등 75명이 토론에 나선다.청와대는 이번 토론회를 통해 부동산 정책의 주요 쟁점을 국민과 공유하고, 현장 의견을 수렴해 향후 정책 수립 과정에 반영한다는 방침이다. 보유세와 거래세 등 부동산 세제도 이날 토론회를 거쳐 이르면 7월 말, 늦어도 8월 초에 확정될 전망이다.이 대통령도 이날 청와대 국무회의에서 "(오는) 23일 부동산 국민 대토론회가 진행된다"며 "망국적인 부동산 공화국에서 벗어나 국민 주거 안정과 생산적인 경제 발전으로 나아가기 위해 우리 국민들의 목소리를 겸허하게 경청하고, 또 그 속에서 실현 가능한 대안, 대책들을 만들어내 보겠다"고 말했다.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-21 16:44:00 -
Korea's Small and Medium Business Administration Launches AI Ethics Charter The Small and Medium Business Administration announced the establishment and launch of its 'AI Ethics Charter' on July 21.The AI Ethics Charter includes principles such as: △human-centered AI use △ensuring fairness and preventing discrimination △transparent operations and sufficient explanations △protection of personal information and data △ensuring safety and reliability △enhancing accountability in AI use.In line with its commitment to expanding AI transformation (AX), the administration has been gradually establishing an ethical management system to prevent risks such as personal data breaches and security threats.Along with the charter's establishment, the agency also received the 'AI Ethics Compliance Organization' certification mark from the National Information Society Agency (NIA). This certification, introduced by the NIA in 2024, aims to enhance institutional and corporate accountability for the ethical development and use of AI and to encourage voluntary participation.The Small and Medium Business Administration was recognized for its efforts in promoting AI ethics, including the establishment of the charter, employee training, and the development of implementation systems, and received the certification mark on July 13.Lee Byung-cheol, Deputy Director of the Small and Medium Business Administration, stated, "When ethical principles such as fairness, transparency, and safety are integrated into all aspects of our work, AX can gain public trust. We will use the establishment of the ethics charter as an opportunity to internalize ethical standards throughout the entire process of AI services and to foster a culture of responsible AI use in small and medium enterprises."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-21 16:44:00
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Director Na Hong-jin's 'Hope' Delivers Real Action Without CGI Every film has numerous perspectives. Although the director and actors share the same space and time, their experiences may differ. 'B-Cut by Choi Song-hee' focuses on the vivid behind-the-scenes moments that go beyond the 'A-Cut' captured on screen. It reconstructs the intense 'B-Cut' moments that were even more passionate than the completed frames through interviews with the director and actors. The film 'Hope' begins with the story of Bamseok (played by Hwang Jung-min), the head of a local office in the Demilitarized Zone, who learns from local youths about a tiger sighting, triggering a state of emergency in the village. After a decade since his last film 'The Wailing,' director Na Hong-jin presents a narrative that explores the differences between humans and aliens, as well as the incidents caused by ignorance, all delivered with intense action and genre rhythm.'Hope' captivates audiences with its stunning action sequences, including chases, car chases, and gunfights. Director Na credited the actors for their ability to perform such high-intensity action."Our actors agreed to everything, which made it possible. But I felt it was more than just agreement. To achieve this kind of coordination, a lot of preparation is necessary. For action to happen continuously, at least 50 people need to be perfectly in sync. The actors had to work hard to achieve that coordination. If they had to ride horses, they needed to become familiar with the horses and learn horseback riding. They put in tremendous effort," said Na Hong-jin.The high-intensity action sequences, which might seem like they were created with computer graphics (CG), were actually performed by the actors themselves."There were things that everyone thought had to be done with CG, but the actors miraculously accomplished them. Actions like dismounting from a horse and moving their legs are not something an average person can do. But they did it. In the case of Seong-ae, she performed action scenes while actually driving a car. Everyone was amazing. I am truly grateful," Na added.Jo In-sung, who played Seong-ki, surprised audiences with his intense action."Action has both instinctive and calculated elements, but I believe the acting aspect of character building is essential. The director kept directing us via radio to maintain tension. While viewers might think we were walking easily, we had to keep the tension while walking," Jo In-sung explained.Filming the scene where they ride horses on the road was fraught with challenges. There were days when they set up but could not shoot due to waiting for favorable weather."I remember we went in expecting to shoot for a month but ended up taking a month and a half. It snowed in between. When it snows, the asphalt freezes, and the horses can't run. The shoes are made of iron, so they just slide. Even if we switched to rubber, we couldn't ride on dry asphalt. We had to wait for it to melt. We called it 'roll call,' where we set everything up in the morning and waited for the weather to clear or for conditions to be right for shooting. There were many days we set up but couldn't shoot and had to come back," Jo In-sung recounted.He described that scene as one where "if an accident happens, it could be fatal." Everything had to align perfectly: the horse, the car, the road, and the weather."It was our responsibility to shoot it well. It was technically difficult, and since it was a scene where an accident could be fatal, we were even more tense. The set was chaotic. The director wanted us to be tense while filming, and we had to be tense because there were no safety personnel. The director must have felt anxious and burdened too," Jo added.Jung Ho-yeon, who played Seong-ae, was a police officer at the Hopohang station who did her job under any circumstances. She prepared for the gun action and driving scenes well in advance, as the gun weighed about 5 kg."There was a six-month preparation process. The gun weighs around 5 kg, and the director is known for taking many takes. To do twenty-some takes, weight training was essential. I also gained 4 kg. I worked hard on cardio for basic fitness. Besides practicing with the gun, I obtained a manual driver's license because there were many driving scenes. I originally only had a second-class license, but after getting it, I learned from a racing expert," Jung Ho-yeon said.Jung prioritized safety over enjoyment in action scenes. While preparing for the gun action, she also considered how to react when encountering an unknown entity."I believe safety is the number one priority in action acting. So rather than trying to enjoy the action too much, I focused on doing it safely. I thought about how I might never get to experience something like this again. I also watched 'Alien' before this project. I wanted to see how to react when encountering an unknown life form, not just in simple gun action," she explained.The car chase scenes were similarly intense. Filming took place in an actual town, with art settings designed to make it look like a past era, and any accidents could damage real buildings."In an actual town, if buildings exist, we set up facades to make it look like a past era. If I caused an accident, it would damage the buildings. I tried not to let my guard down. I didn't think I was reckless, but I realized I was quite bold. I enjoy driving, but I’m not sure if I’m good at it. Through training, they set up the course and designated areas for drifting, so I think the director had a clear concept of the cuts," Jung Ho-yeon noted.The actors' actions were not the only memorable aspects of the set. Jo In-sung recalled a moment featuring Im Hyun-sik. In a scene where a spaceship is falling, Im's character opens a door in a health center and looks outside."There are great shots and moments of focus, like when Bamseok looks out the window. Personally, I really like the scene where Im Hyun-sik opens the door in a health center and looks outside when the spaceship falls. I think that shows his experience. It seems like nothing, but that feeling was great," Jo In-sung said.For director Na Hong-jin, working with Im Hyun-sik left a lasting impression. Im played the character Haesul's uncle and had to deliver long lines, which Na recalled with a smile as a challenging editing experience."Im Hyun-sik played Haesul's uncle, and it was so much fun. However, I didn't expect he would struggle with the long lines. He really worked hard on them, and I thought I was going to die while editing. I had to place the prompter behind him, but if it was slightly off to the side, his gaze would drift, and then it would be unusable. But he did so well and worked hard," Na Hong-jin said.For Jung Ho-yeon, acting alongside Im Hyun-sik was special in itself. He noted that Im's presence made the scene comedic."Acting with Im Hyun-sik was like watching TV; it was so comedic. His immersion was incredible, and he himself was so charming. I remember admiring him. He is a legendary figure to me. It was an honor to share the screen with him," Jung Ho-yeon concluded.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-21 16:40:00
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Ohayo Dairy Launches 'Brulee Milk' Ice Cream in South Korea Ohayo Dairy's 'Brulee Milk,' a convenience store ice cream that has gained popularity among tourists in Japan, has officially launched in South Korea.On July 21, Ohayo Dairy held a media briefing at Community House Masil in Jung-gu, Seoul, to announce the launch of its premium ice cream 'Brulee Milk.' The product will be available at Seven-Eleven stores nationwide starting July 22, priced at 6,500 won. This marks the company's expansion into the premium dessert segment, two years after introducing its Jersey milk pudding through Seven-Eleven in 2024.'Brulee Milk' is a cup dessert that captures the texture and flavor of crème brûlée in ice cream form. It features a caramelized layer created by actually torching the surface, combined with rich milk ice cream. Ohayo Dairy invested approximately seven years in research and development to simultaneously achieve the cold ice cream and the heated brulee process.Tasting the Brulee Milk evokes the experience of enjoying the French dessert crème brûlée. When lightly tapped with a spoon, the thin caramel layer cracks with a satisfying 'pop,' revealing the creamy milk ice cream beneath. The combination of the broken caramel and ice cream creates a delightful crunch reminiscent of eating dalgona and white chocolate, delivering a rich milk flavor that appeals to a wide audience.Keisuke Ogawa, director of Ohayo Dairy, stated, "Our manufacturing philosophy is to keep the ingredients simple while putting great care into the production process. What we aim to provide with Brulee Milk is not just a taste but an experience that satisfies all five senses."Ohayo Dairy chose to enter the South Korean market due to its established brand recognition and high demand for desserts. The company noted that many South Korean tourists seek out Brulee Milk in Japanese convenience stores, and the product has gained traction on social media, confirming domestic demand. Additionally, South Korea's strong market for premium desserts and developed café culture played a significant role in this decision.Ohayo Dairy plans to cultivate South Korea as a key market for its international expansion. Starting with Brulee Milk and Jersey milk pudding, the company aims to introduce a variety of premium dessert products and solidify its presence in the South Korean market before expanding to other countries. Ogawa added, "If we succeed in South Korea, we expect to confidently expand our business to other nations."Seven-Eleven, responsible for domestic distribution, is also strengthening its dessert category with the launch of Brulee Milk. The previously released Ohayo Jersey milk pudding ranked first in sales within the dessert category at Seven-Eleven last year and continues to hold that position this year. The dessert category has seen approximately 30% growth last year and around 60% growth this year, marking the highest growth rate among all product categories.Su-kyung Cho, head of the product division at Korea Seven, noted, "While the main customer base for convenience stores is still male, over 60% of dessert category buyers are women, and we see significant interest from women in their 20s and 30s. We believe this market can attract high-quality female customers who have previously shown little interest in convenience stores, which is why we invested effort into the launch of Brulee Milk."Atsushi Fujimoto, chairman of Ohayo Dairy, expressed his excitement about officially launching Brulee Milk in the South Korean market, stating, "We are thrilled to bring Brulee Milk, which has been loved not only in Japan but also by Korean consumers visiting Japan, to South Korea. Through our partnership with Korea Seven, we aim to share the appeal of Ohayo Brulee Milk with more Korean consumers and grow it into a beloved brand."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-21 16:40:00
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U.S. Big Tech Earnings Season Begins: Focus on AI Investment Outcomes As U.S. big tech companies prepare to announce their earnings, market attention is shifting from earnings per share (EPS) to the tangible results of artificial intelligence (AI) investments.On July 20, Danish investment bank Saxo Bank highlighted five key indicators for investors to watch as Alphabet, Microsoft, Meta, Apple, and Amazon prepare to report their earnings this week: revenue growth, capital investment, profit margins, free cash flow, and future earnings outlook.Alphabet is set to release its earnings on July 22, followed by Microsoft and Meta on July 29, and Apple and Amazon on July 30.Saxo Bank noted that simply exceeding market expectations for EPS may not be sufficient for a positive assessment. Even if net income surpasses forecasts, a decline in cash flow, lower profit margins, or an increase in capital investment plans could lead to negative market reactions.The bank emphasized the need to first confirm whether AI demand is translating into actual revenue growth. Key metrics include the growth rates of Microsoft’s Azure, Amazon Web Services (AWS), and Google Cloud. For Meta, the focus is on the increase in advertising revenue, while Apple’s performance will hinge on whether AI can boost device sales and service revenue.In terms of capital investment, Saxo Bank advised that the focus should not solely be on the scale of investment but rather on the rate of spending increases compared to actual demand and revenue growth. If companies raise capital investment plans without increasing revenue forecasts, concerns about investment burdens may grow.Profit margins and free cash flow were also highlighted as critical indicators. It is essential to assess whether companies can maintain profit margins amid rising costs in semiconductors, memory, data centers, and depreciation. The stability of free cash flow, which reflects the cash remaining after AI infrastructure investments, is also crucial.Saxo Bank pointed out that while big tech has been viewed as companies with low asset burdens and high cash generation, the expansion of AI investments is gradually making their business structures more capital-intensive. Therefore, even if accounting profits increase, a continued decline in free cash flow could highlight investment burdens.Looking ahead, Saxo Bank stressed the importance of demonstrating whether the number of paying customers for AI products is increasing, whether infrastructure shortages in data centers are easing, and whether the pace of investment growth is slowing or efficiency is improving.The bank concluded that big tech could receive positive evaluations this earnings season if they can prove improvements in revenue, profit margins, and cash flow, regardless of whether they reduce AI investments. The focus will be on how effectively they can leverage their established AI infrastructure to generate stable profits.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-21 16:36:00
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Vietnam's Bac Ninh Province Expands Citizen Surveillance on Roads In Bac Ninh Province, Vietnam, a network of citizen surveillance is expanding beyond police oversight, utilizing smartphones and automated cameras. Reports of illegal parking, unlicensed driving, and reckless behavior are being identified through citizen submissions, with 541 speeding violations recorded by automated enforcement in just the past week. The perception that "it's okay if the police aren't around" among drivers is changing.According to the Bac Ninh Provincial Traffic Police Department, as of July 20, officers have been actively verifying traffic violation photos and videos submitted by citizens this year. When citizens send violation footage via Facebook, Zalo, or other social media platforms, the relevant department categorizes the submissions and forwards them to the appropriate teams for fact-checking.These citizen reports are leading to actual administrative actions. Since the beginning of the year, the Bac Ninh Provincial Traffic Police Department has received approximately 800 photos and videos from citizens. After verification, about 250 cases have resulted in violation reports, with fines estimated at around 12 billion dong (approximately $673,000).On July 16, a resident of Bac Ninh, identified as A, appeared before the traffic police department after a citizen-submitted video confirmed that he had parked improperly on Nguyen Van Men Road. A acknowledged the violation and signed the report.Reckless and unlicensed driving have also come under scrutiny from vigilant citizens. Earlier this month, two men were identified by the traffic police and public security after photos of them riding a motorcycle without a license plate and without helmets were posted on social media. A driver who was seen lifting the front wheel of his motorcycle on National Route 1 was also identified by the traffic police team, resulting in a fine of 4 million dong (about $22,450) and the confiscation of the vehicle.Notably, citizens are motivated to report violations not out of personal grievances but due to safety concerns. B, who reported a dangerous overtaking maneuver by a passenger transport vehicle on a road passing through the Quang Chau Industrial Park, explained, "I sent the report not because of dissatisfaction with the driver or personal conflict, but because the risk of an accident was very high." He added, "Having seen similar situations multiple times, I hoped that sending the photos would help ensure drivers follow the rules." This reflects a shared understanding that the goal is not punishment but creating safer roads.However, police do not use all reports as grounds for punishment. A representative from the traffic police department noted that over 180 of the citizen-submitted materials did not indicate any violations, and about 100 cases were difficult to verify. Limitations arise when videos are reshared by others, or when the time and location are unclear, or if the violation occurred outside Bac Ninh Province. This indicates a careful verification process.The legal framework for utilizing citizen-submitted materials is also in place. Dao Xuan Huong, deputy head of the Bac Ninh Provincial Traffic Police Department, stated that the receipt and use of videos and photos are conducted in accordance with a government decree issued on February 13. He emphasized, "When citizens voluntarily provide traffic violation photos, the enforcement effect is significantly enhanced, as it creates an awareness that violations can be detected and addressed even in the absence of traffic police on the roads."Parallel Automated Enforcement SystemLocal authorities are also implementing an automated enforcement system. From July 6 to 12, the Bac Ninh Provincial Traffic Police Department detected 541 speeding violations through surveillance cameras and technical equipment. These vehicles have been placed on a list for fines, and police are advising owners to verify the violations and follow the necessary procedures.Penalties for speeding increase progressively based on the severity of the violation. According to the government decree, if a vehicle exceeds the speed limit by 5 to 10 km/h, fines range from 800,000 to 1 million dong (approximately $45 to $56). For exceeding the limit by 10 to 20 km/h, fines range from 4 million to 6 million dong (about $224 to $336), along with a deduction of 2 points from the driver's license.For exceeding the limit by 20 to 35 km/h, fines range from 6 million to 8 million dong and a deduction of 4 points, while exceeding 35 km/h can result in fines of 12 million to 14 million dong and a deduction of 6 points. Causing an accident due to speeding can lead to fines of 20 million to 22 million dong and a deduction of 10 points.Motorcycle riders are not exempt from these penalties. Exceeding the speed limit by 5 to 10 km/h incurs fines of 400,000 to 600,000 dong, while exceeding by 10 to 20 km/h results in fines of 800,000 to 1 million dong, and exceeding by more than 20 km/h leads to fines of 6 million to 8 million dong.Meanwhile, police are urging vehicle owners to promptly check for any fines. Vehicle owners can verify fines by entering their license plate and required information on the traffic police department's website or through the VNeTraffic application.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-21 16:32:00
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National Assembly to Hold Hearing on Football Association Issues A National Assembly hearing to address the controversy surrounding the appointment of the national team coach and operational issues within the Korea Football Association (KFA) is scheduled for July 30. The hearing has been postponed by about a week from its original date, and key figures such as Chung Mong-kyu, former KFA president, and Hong Myung-bo, former national team coach, are expected to testify.On July 21, the National Assembly's Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee approved changes to the hearing schedule and the list of witnesses and reference persons. The meeting took place amid difficulties in negotiations over the committee's composition, with members of the ruling People Power Party absent.Lee Jae-jung, chair of the committee from the Democratic Party, expressed relief that negotiations were progressing, stating, "I hope all committee members can work together to clarify public concerns and help normalize the KFA to contribute to the development of Korean football."The hearing is expected to focus on the appropriateness of the national team coach selection process and the overall transparency of the KFA's operations. To this end, the committee has selected a total of 15 witnesses, including Chung Mong-kyu and Hong Myung-bo, as well as Lee Im-sang, former technical director, and Jung Hae-sung, former head of the national team reinforcement committee, among others who held administrative responsibilities.Reference persons include Park Ji-sung, co-chair of the K-Football Innovation Committee, Yoo Seung-min, president of the Korean Sports Council, and commentators Lee Young-pyo and Lee Joo-ho.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-21 16:32:00
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China and Philippines Foreign Ministers Meet Amid South China Sea Tensions As tensions escalate between China and the Philippines following physical clashes in the South China Sea, the foreign ministers of both countries are set to meet for the first time in two years, aiming to prevent further conflict.The Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs announced that Wang Yi, head of the Central Foreign Affairs Commission of the Communist Party of China and Foreign Minister, will meet with Philippine Foreign Minister Teresa Lazaro during the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Manila from July 21 to 23.This meeting marks the first encounter between the two foreign ministers since the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Vientiane, Laos, in July 2024.Philippine Foreign Affairs spokesperson Dominic Imperial stated, "This meeting will discuss not only bilateral relations but also the impact of regional dynamics on ASEAN. We consider it very important and have high expectations." The Chinese Foreign Ministry had previously confirmed Wang's attendance at the China-ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting.With recent tensions between China and the Philippines on the rise, there is keen interest in what solutions may emerge from this meeting.Just a day before the talks, on July 20, both nations publicly condemned each other following a clash near the Second Thomas Shoal (known as Ren'ai Jiao in China and Ayungin in the Philippines). The Philippine Coast Guard claimed that a rubber boat carrying eight Chinese coast guard members approached a grounded Philippine vessel to take photos. When the Philippines attempted to drive them away, the Chinese allegedly assaulted Philippine sailors with wooden batons, resulting in one injury and damage to a rubber boat.Conversely, China accused the Philippines of initiating provocation and aggression. The Chinese coast guard stated, "The Philippines is distorting the facts and slandering China," asserting that they maintained stable control of the situation and responded in a restrained manner. On the same day, the Chinese Foreign Ministry summoned the Philippine ambassador to lodge a strong protest regarding the South China Sea incident.Recent tensions over the South China Sea have intensified. On July 12, both countries clashed over the 10th anniversary of the Permanent Court of Arbitration's ruling on the South China Sea. The Philippines, alongside the United States, Japan, Australia, and the United Kingdom, issued a joint statement reaffirming the PCA's ruling, declaring China's claims in the South China Sea as baseless. In contrast, China dismissed the PCA ruling as illegal and void, calling it a mere scrap of paper. Additionally, recent claims from Chinese academia asserting that the Philippines' Bataan Peninsula falls within China's sovereignty have drawn strong protests from the Philippines.Earlier in late May, when Japan and the Philippines began negotiations to delineate the continental shelf boundaries in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) between eastern Taiwan and northern Philippines, China expressed opposition, claiming it could infringe on its interests.China has been wary of the Philippines' recent strengthening of military and security cooperation with the United States and Japan, viewing it as a move to counter China.These issues are expected to be central topics during the upcoming foreign ministers' meeting.Jupeng, a professor of international relations at Nanjing University, noted, "The willingness of the foreign ministers of China and the Philippines to meet is a positive signal, indicating that both sides hope to reduce the risk of conflict through diplomatic channels."Rai Liang Puk, a senior researcher at the ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute in Singapore, stated, "During this meeting, China is likely to express concerns about the Philippines strengthening its cooperation with the U.S. and Japan. As the ASEAN chair, it is also crucial for the Philippines to maintain communication with China to achieve results at this year's ASEAN meeting."However, there are predictions that reaching an agreement on the Code of Conduct (COC) in the South China Sea may be challenging this year. The COC is a joint framework being developed by China and ASEAN to prevent accidental clashes in the South China Sea, and the Philippines has been striving for its conclusion as the ASEAN chair this year.Rai noted, "Given the Philippines' ongoing deepening of security cooperation with the U.S. and Japan, China's motivation to finalize the COC this year may be limited." He added, "In the short term, managing differences and preventing the escalation of maritime clashes may be a more realistic goal, as both sides may still find it difficult to avoid friction in the South China Sea."Meanwhile, there are also suggestions that Wang Yi may meet with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Manila. Professor Jupeng remarked, "Both China and the U.S. do not want regional tensions to escalate further, and enhancing diplomatic communication to manage potential conflicts serves the interests of both sides." 2026-07-21 16:28:00
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Samsung creates CEO-led robotics office to speed humanoid push SEOUL, July 21 (AJP) - Samsung Electronics on Tuesday unveiled a new robotics unit reporting directly to Chief Executive No Tae-moon, centralizing development and business operations as it steps up efforts to expand its robotics business. The new RX (Robotics eXperience) Business Office, reporting directly to Vice Chairman and DX chief No Tae-moon, will oversee the company's robotics strategy, core technology development and commercialization under a unified structure. Samsung said it will consolidate robotics personnel at its Seoul R&D Campus in southern Seoul and build a data factory at its Gumi plant to strengthen robot data collection and deployment. It also plans to establish research hubs in the United States, China and Japan to expand its technology ecosystem and recruit global talent. Former Hyundai Motor Group executive Lee Dong-geon, who previously led robotics strategy at Boston Dynamics, was appointed head of the robotics strategy team. The company also said robotics experts Kim Hyun-jin of Seoul National University and Kim Eui-gyeom of Ajou University will join the new organization. The move follows Samsung's acquisition of Rainbow Robotics in late 2024 and is aimed at accelerating its humanoid robotics business while advancing its goal of converting all of its domestic and overseas manufacturing sites into AI-powered autonomous factories by 2030. 2026-07-21 16:26:05 -
BOK to plug 24-hour won settlement gap in latest MSCI push SEOUL, July 21 (AJP) - South Korea will pilot a round-the-clock international won payment network in September, seeking to fill a key settlement gap in its newly opened 24-hour foreign exchange market and strengthen its bid for developed-market status from MSCI. The Bank of Korea said Tuesday it had formally named the planned offshore settlement system the Bank of Korea Won International Wire Network, or BOK-WireInt. The network will allow foreign investors and financial institutions to complete won payments during their own business hours, regardless of the time difference with Seoul. KB Kookmin Bank, Woori Bank, Hana Bank and Shinhan Bank will participate in the initial trial, with the central bank and the four lenders currently conducting system tests. The BOK plans to complete the introduction and revision of related payment-system regulations by August. BOK-WireInt will run for 24 hours on business days, from 9 a.m. to 9 a.m. the following day, excluding weekends and public holidays. The system is intended to give overseas investors continuous access not only to won trading but also to the infrastructure needed to settle and manage the funds. South Korea moved its domestic foreign exchange market to 24-hour trading on July 6 as part of a broader drive to improve overseas access to the won. The change enabled investors to trade spot won-dollar and foreign exchange swap products during London and New York hours, but the expansion also increased the need for a payment network capable of supporting transactions beyond conventional domestic operating hours. The new network is designed to provide that missing link, allowing foreign institutions to complete won settlements during their local market hours rather than waiting for systems in Seoul to reopen. The BOK said the change should improve the convenience of using and managing won funds and widen foreign access to the country’s settlement infrastructure. The central bank also expects the project to contribute positively to South Korea’s efforts to join MSCI’s developed-market index. Restrictions surrounding offshore won trading and settlement have long been among the market-access issues facing South Korea, which remains classified as an emerging market by the global index provider. The September pilot will test whether the new network can support stable 24-hour settlements before participation is expanded more broadly. The won strengthened 5.0 won to close at 1,473.4 per dollar at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday - supported by the Bank of Korea’s July 16 rate increase and expectations that proceeds from SK Hynix’s U.S. ADR offering will add to dollar supply in the domestic foreign exchange market. 2026-07-21 16:23:21