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Interest Rate Hike Pushes Credit Card Companies to Issue Bonds at 4.5% 한국은행이 3년 6개월 만에 기준금리를 인상하면서 카드업계의 자금조달 부담이 커지고 있다. 수신 기능이 없는 카드사는 운영자금을 채권 발행으로 조달하는 만큼 기준금리 인상이 곧 조달 비용 증가로 이어지기 때문이다. 19일 금융권에 따르면 신용등급 AA+ 3년 만기 여신전문금융회사채권(여전채) 평균 금리는 기준금리 인상을 이틀 앞둔 지난 14일 연 4.5%를 기록했다. 여전채 금리가 연 4.5%에 도달한 건 여전채 AA+ 3년물 금리가 연 4.517%를 기록했던 2022년 6월 17일 이후 4년 1개월 만이다. 1년 전 같은 기간(2.821%)과 비교하면 1.679%포인트 올랐다. 카드사는 은행처럼 예·적금을 통해 자금을 조달할 수 없어 여전채를 발행해 필요한 자금을 확보한다. 여전채는 카드사가 투자자에게 발행하는 회사채의 일종으로, 일정 기간 이자를 지급한 뒤 원금을 상환하는 구조다. 시장금리가 오를수록 여전채 발행 금리도 함께 높아져 차환 발행 과정에서 카드사의 자금조달 부담이 커진다. 문제는 조달 비용은 높아지는데 수익 기반 확대는 어렵다는 점이다. 카드사의 주요 수익원 중 하나는 카드론 등 대출성 자산이다. 하지만 현재 금융당국에서 카드론에도 총부채원리금상환비율(DSR)을 적용하고 있어 공급 규모를 늘리는 데 한계가 있다. 금융당국의 상생금융 기조에 맞춰야 해 카드론 금리 인상도 쉽지 않다. 실제로 올해 1분기 카드론 취급액은 10조9671억원으로 전년 동기 대비 2.8% 증가했지만 수익은 같은 기간 157억원 감소한 1조3078억원을 기록했다. 카드사들은 연내 추가 금리 인상이 전망되는 만큼 선제적으로 여전채를 발행하며 자금 확보에 나서고 있다. 금융투자협회 채권정보센터에 따르면 카드사들은 지난 14~15일 이틀간 여전채를 6300억원 발행했다. 우리카드는 2년 만기 여전채 2000억원을 연 4.410%에 발행했다. 현대카드는 1~3년물을 중심으로 1500억원을 연 4.014~4.432%에 발행했고, 신한카드는 2년물 1000억원을 연 4.385%에 조달했다. 삼성카드는 총 1800억원을 조달했는데 5년물을 연 4.478%에 발행하며 장기물까지 조달에 나섰다. 김대종 세종대 경영학부 교수는 "여전채 금리는 추가적인 상방 압력을 받으며 당분간 고공 행진을 이어갈 가능성이 높다"며 "포용금융이라는 정책적 목표도 달성해야 하는 만큼 카드사들은 소비자 혜택이 좋은 이른바 '혜자카드'를 단종하는 등 긴축 경영에 나설 것"이라고 말했다.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-19 16:04:00 -
CJ CheilJedang Launches Premium Distilled Spirit Brand 'jari' CJ CheilJedang has unveiled its premium distilled spirit brand 'jari,' marking its entry into the global liquor market. The brand aims to promote the cultural value and identity of traditional Korean alcohol through a 'K-Distilled Spirit Platform' in collaboration with local breweries.On July 15, CJ CheilJedang held a launch event for 'jari' at the Korea Furniture Museum in Seongbuk-gu, Seoul. The event was attended by Lee Sun-ho, head of CJ Group's Future Planning Group, along with company officials and representatives from the domestic food and beverage and cultural industries.The name 'jari' is inspired by the Korean culture of gathering to share food and drink, symbolizing the connection between people, food, and culture through alcohol.The newly launched products include 'jari Munbaeju 24' and 'jari Gamuchu 24,' both with an alcohol content of 24%, designed to be easily enjoyed by global consumers new to traditional liquor. The packaging is shaped like traditional Korean earthenware, visually emphasizing its Korean heritage.To enhance product quality, CJ CheilJedang partnered with renowned traditional liquor makers Munbaeju Brewery and Danong Bio. In January of last year, they established a dedicated aging facility in Nonsan, South Chungcheong Province, where the original spirits from each brewery are aged in earthenware to create premium products.'jari Munbaeju 24' is crafted using the traditional brewing method of the nationally recognized Munbaeju, undergoing seasonal aging to achieve a smooth finish and pear aroma. 'jari Gamuchu 24' reinterprets traditional rice soju in a modern way, aging the Gamuchu soju base in earthenware to highlight its subtle sweetness and tropical fruit notes.The launch event also featured a pairing dining program showcasing the harmony between 'jari' and K-food. Bartender Hong Du-yi from brand ambassador Pine&Co collaborated with Chef Kim Hee-eun from the Michelin-starred restaurant Soul to present unique cocktails and a Korean course menu using 'jari.'CJ CheilJedang plans to initially introduce 'jari' in premium restaurants and fine dining channels in South Korea, with plans to expand into the global liquor market, starting in New York this fall, to leverage synergies with K-food.A representative from CJ CheilJedang stated, "'jari' is a brand developed in collaboration with local breweries to convey not only the taste and aroma of traditional Korean distilled spirits but also the culture and emotions they embody. We aim to broaden our reach with global consumers and showcase new possibilities for Korean food culture through synergies with K-food."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-19 16:04:00
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Seoul National University Bundang Hospital Launches Full-Stack Medical AI Initiative Seoul National University Bundang Hospital is embarking on a project to develop a 'full-stack medical AI' model that connects the entire patient journey through artificial intelligence (AI). The hospital is participating in the Ministry of Science and ICT's 'AX-Ready pilot project,' which aims to integrate AI across various aspects of healthcare, from clinical support to regional collaboration and hospital automation.On July 16, the hospital held a kickoff meeting for the AX-Ready pilot project in its main conference room, officially launching the 'AICON (AI Connected Care Operating Network),' a comprehensive medical AI operational network based on the entire patient journey.This initiative arises from the recognition that, despite the rapid growth of medical AI in South Korea, its application in hospital settings remains limited. As of the first quarter of 2026, the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety has approved a total of 549 medical AI products. However, varying levels of information technology capabilities and implementation conditions across hospitals have led to concerns about the high costs and trial-and-error burdens associated with piecemeal solutions.The AX-Ready pilot project aims to overcome these limitations by creating a model for the strategic national use of medical AI. The focus is on seamlessly integrating AI into the entire patient care process while addressing regional healthcare and essential medical crises.The AICON consortium includes 21 organizations, such as Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seoul National University Hospital, the National Medical Center, the Central Veterans Hospital, Seongnam Medical Center, local clinics, and various medical IT and AI companies like EasyCareTech, Kakao Healthcare, Bit Computer, Acryl, and Puzzle AI, as well as academic institutions like Seoul National University. This diverse collaboration encompasses the entire healthcare system, from advanced general hospitals to local medical facilities and technology firms.The pilot will be implemented in three packages. The first package involves clinical support AI that connects ten commercially available medical AI products approved by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety for diagnosis, management, and prognosis prediction. The second package includes a collaborative platform that supports referrals and returns between local medical institutions, featuring a patient-facing 'CareNavi' and a healthcare provider-oriented 'CarePilot,' along with an AI collaboration agent. The third package focuses on hospital automation systems that implement smart wards through nine solutions, including voice-based medical record automation, fall detection, and emergency room AI agents.Another notable aspect of this project is its emphasis on standardization. By establishing a common platform based on the KR-Core FHIR healthcare data standard and the MCP AI integration standard, the initiative aims to create a structure where multiple institutions can share a single AI system, rather than developing separate systems for each hospital. This approach is expected to significantly reduce barriers to implementation and costs compared to the previous method of customizing solutions for different environments.The project will also produce standardized assets, including a six-step onboarding manual, an AI utilization maturity assessment framework, and a security and ethics governance system, all of which will be made publicly available. Seoul National University Bundang Hospital aims to establish a practical diffusion model that any hospital can utilize, laying the groundwork for the nationwide expansion of AI-specialized hospitals.Jeon Young-tae, the president of Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, stated, "While existing medical AI technologies have focused on interpreting specific diseases, AX-Ready represents a full-stack medical AI integration model that connects the entire patient journey. We aim to demonstrate that AI is not just a technology for its own sake, but one that leads to patient safety and improved treatment outcomes."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-19 16:00:00
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Starbucks Korea Workers Form First Union in Domestic Franchise Coffee Industry Workers at Starbucks Korea have formed a union, establishing the Starbucks branch of the Korean Food Workers' Union, marking the first union in the domestic franchise coffee industry.According to the Korean Food Workers' Union on July 19, Starbucks Korea employees declared the establishment of the Starbucks branch on July 16 and announced its official launch. The branch aims to include all workers at stores and the headquarters.In their declaration, the branch stated, "Despite our previous demands for improvements through truck protests and wreath protests, the company limited communication to a 'sympathy meeting' and focused on suppressing immediate issues rather than providing direct solutions." They further explained that the union was formed in response to the company's unilateral implementation of increasingly burdensome events and operational policies, disregarding workers' demands.The union identified key issues such as staffing shortages during peak hours, increased workload due to frequent promotions and events, low wage levels, challenging schedules that make it difficult to take on additional jobs, and difficulties in applying for industrial accident claims related to musculoskeletal disorders. They expressed their commitment to improving workplace issues as a unified voice.Starbucks Korea workers previously engaged in collective actions in 2021 and 2024, advocating for reduced work intensity, increased staffing, and improved treatment through anonymous community platforms.Currently, Starbucks Korea directly employs all staff at its nationwide stores, with approximately 23,000 employees.Starbucks Korea stated, "We will communicate sincerely with the union in accordance with relevant laws."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-19 15:40:00
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Ruling Party to Discuss Controversial Youth Deposit Fees on July 21 As concerns arise within the Democratic Party of Korea regarding excessive deposit fees, the party's central election management committee announced it will hold a full meeting on July 21 to revisit the issue.According to Yonhap News, a committee official stated on July 19, "There are worries that the deposit fees for youth candidates are too high," adding, "We plan to hold another committee meeting to decide on our policy." Previously, the committee set the deposit fees at 100 million won for party leader candidates and 50 million won for candidates for the Supreme Council, with a 50% reduction for youth candidates outside the National Assembly.In relation to this, Jeong Min-cheol, a candidate for the Supreme Council and vice chair of the policy committee, shed tears while discussing the deposit issue during a live broadcast on his YouTube channel, 'Is It True, Jeong Min-cheol?' on July 18. He revealed that he had shared his personal bank account to raise funds for the deposit, but acknowledged that this could violate political funding laws and expressed his intention to return the funds, indicating he had not conducted proper legal reviews. Jeong is considered a candidate aligned with the pro-Lee Jae-myung faction.In response, Kim Min-seok, a former Prime Minister and a candidate for party leadership, and Song Young-gil, a member of the National Assembly, criticized the election committee. Kim argued, "If we are worried about candidate proliferation, we should consider qualifications other than money," while Song pointed out, "How can a party that raises youth deposit fees claim to be a youth party?"President Lee Jae-myung also weighed in, stating, "Current lawmakers, especially conservatives, have less burden with political funding, but for those outside the Assembly, particularly the youth, the burden is significant. Since the party is not facing financial difficulties, and considering the challenges youth face, it might be worth considering reverting the deposit fees to previous levels." During President Lee's tenure, the deposit fees for the party convention were reportedly set at 40 million won for party leader candidates and 15 million won for Supreme Council candidates. 2026-07-19 15:40:00
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Policy chief rules out delisting single-stock leveraged ETFs despite volatility concerns SEOUL, July 19 (AJP) - Senior presidential secretary for policy Kim Yong-bum on Sunday ruled out delisting single-stock leveraged exchange-traded funds (ETFs), which have come under scrutiny for fueling market volatility, saying doing so would deliver a significant shock to financial markets. Appearing on a KBS program, Kim said it was "hard to imagine" delisting them because investors have already poured substantial funds into them. "If they were delisted, that in itself would deliver a huge shock to the market," he said, adding that assets in the products had already exceeded 10 trillion won (US$7.2 billion). His remarks came after financial authorities including last week announced measures to curb excessive speculation in those ETFs, which have fueled concerns about market volatility. Under the tightened rules announced by a government-led committee comprising the Financial Services Commission (FSC) and the Financial Supervisory Service (FSS), the minimum cash deposit required to trade those products will be raised to 30 million won from 10 million won starting early next month, while the minimum trading unit will increase to 20 shares in November. The measures also require investors to complete three hours of training before trading these ETFs, up from the current two hours. Financial authorities will also temporarily halt new listings until market conditions stabilize and ban advertising and marketing of existing products. Kim said these measures, which followed extensive consultations with brokerages, asset managers and industry officials, should address many of the concerns surrounding the products. "Most of the concerns should be addressed once the new rules take effect," he said. Kim, nevertheless, admitted that these ETFs can amplify market swings during sharp declines, vowing that regulators, financial authorities, and other relevant parties would continue discussing additional measures to curb volatility. Separately, Kim apologized for the recent surge in home prices, saying a shortage of housing supply has made the situation especially difficult. He said the government would prioritize measures to boost housing supply in the near term. Kim also said the government plans to apply different tax rules depending on how many homes a person owns and whether the property is owner-occupied. 2026-07-19 15:32:31 -
Surge in Life Insurance Surrender Benefits Reaches 15% in One Year The scale of life insurance surrender benefits is increasing. The rise in benefits, particularly for savings and variable insurance products, suggests a trend of funds moving from insurance to other financial products, commonly referred to as a 'money move.'According to the Financial Statistics Information System (FISIS) on July 19, the surrender benefits of 22 life insurance companies in the first quarter of this year totaled 20.5259 trillion won, marking a 15% increase (2.6789 trillion won) compared to the same period last year (17.8469 trillion won).In the general account, surrender benefits from savings insurance rose to 7.6494 trillion won, up 7.1% (508.9 billion won) from the previous year. Savings insurance products, which are often linked to interest rates, tend to react sensitively to changes in market interest rates and the yields of other financial products.The insurance industry believes that the recent flow of funds has contributed to the increase in surrenders. With the domestic stock market performing well, interest in investment opportunities has grown, leading to a rise in demand for moving funds from relatively low-yielding savings insurance to riskier assets like stocks.In the past, many policyholders utilized savings insurance as a long-term asset management tool due to stable interest rates and tax benefits. However, there is now a growing demand for direct investments in various products such as stocks, bonds, and funds, which has diminished the appeal of insurance products. In fact, the number of new contracts for savings insurance in the first quarter of this year was 98,652, a 17.6% decrease from the same period last year (119,761 contracts).The increase in surrender benefits from special accounts was even more pronounced. In the first quarter of this year, surrender benefits from special accounts reached 5.3149 trillion won, a 44.9% increase (1.6469 trillion won) compared to the same period last year. Among these, surrender benefits from variable insurance amounted to 3.9057 trillion won, over 1 trillion won higher than a year ago. Variable insurance, which invests a portion of premiums in funds, combines both protection and investment features. During this period, surrender benefits from retirement savings also surged by 71.9% (454.2 billion won) to 1.0862 trillion won, indicating a growing demand for the termination of investment and savings-oriented products.Even protection-oriented insurance, which primarily aims to cover risks from illness and injury, is seeing an increase in surrender benefits. In the first quarter, surrender benefits from protection insurance reached 7.5614 trillion won, up 7.4% (522.9 billion won) from the same period last year (7.0738 trillion won).An industry official stated, "The recent increase in surrender benefits can be seen as a reflection of changes in living conditions and the money move resulting from a strong stock market. In particular, savings and variable insurance products have a strong investment nature, leading to a relatively high demand for reallocating funds to other investment opportunities based on market conditions."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-19 15:32:00
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Director Na Hong-jin's 'Hope' Surpasses 2 Million Viewers in Just 5 Days 나홍진 감독의 신작 '호프'가 200만 관객을 돌파했다. 19일 영화진흥위원회 영화관입장권 통합전산망에 따르면 '호프'는 개봉 5일째인 이날 오후 1시께 누적 관객 수 200만명을 넘어섰다. 이는 올해 개봉작 가운데 최단 기록이다. '호프'는 앞서 개봉 3일 만에 100만 관객을 돌파하며 2026년 최단 기록을 세운 데 이어, 개봉 첫 주말 200만 고지도 넘어서며 흥행세를 이어가고 있다. 특히 개봉 5일째 저녁 200만 관객을 돌파한 '군체'보다 빠른 속도로 200만 관객을 달성했다. '호프'는 개봉 전부터 높은 예매량으로 주목받았다. 개봉 당일 예매량 60만장을 넘어섰고, 개봉 이후에도 관객 수를 빠르게 쌓으며 여름 극장가 흥행작으로 자리 잡았다. 관객 반응도 이어지고 있다. 긴장감 있는 전개와 예상 밖의 유머, 액션 장면, 크리처 비주얼, 결말을 둘러싼 다양한 해석 등이 온라인에서 화제를 모으며 관람 열기를 더하고 있다. '호프'는 비무장지대에 위치한 호포항 출장소장 범석이 동네 청년들로부터 호랑이가 출현했다는 소식을 전해 듣고, 온 마을에 비상이 걸린 가운데 믿기 어려운 현실을 마주하며 시작되는 이야기를 그린 영화다. '곡성' 이후 10년 만에 돌아온 나홍진 감독의 신작이자 제79회 칸국제영화제 경쟁 부문 초청작으로 관심을 모았다. 황정민, 조인성, 정호연을 비롯해 마이클 패스벤더, 알리시아 비칸데르, 테일러 러셀, 카메론 브리튼 등이 출연한다. '호프'는 전국 극장에서 상영 중이다.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-19 15:16:00
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Interview: Jo In-sung on Director Na Hong-jin's Ambitious New Film 'Hope' Actor Jo In-sung, known for his strong presence in films like 'The Outlaws,' 'Mogadishu,' and 'Smuggling,' showcases his talents in director Na Hong-jin's new film 'Hope.' Utilizing his physicality, Jo delivers impressive action sequences, establishing his unique style in the film. "I didn’t place great significance on the action itself. The script was interesting, and there have been ups and downs in Korean sci-fi films, which motivated me to take on this challenge. As an actor, it’s my responsibility to bring the script to life. Rather than having a grand mindset, I see it as a process of embodying what’s in the script," Jo said. Deciding to participate was not straightforward for Jo, who had undergone knee surgery due to an injury. He grappled with the allure of the project versus his physical condition. "Initially, I was given the script to read. I thought, 'The director is now reaching for the stars.' Considering his previous works, I anticipated a challenging shoot, and the script reinforced that notion. I asked myself many questions: 'Should I do this? Can I take on this challenge? Is my body up for it? Am I willing to throw myself into this project?' I realized that my desire to participate and my physical state could differ. I couldn’t answer immediately and spent a lot of time contemplating on the train back from the countryside. I made my decision on the way back," he explained. In the film, Jo plays a young man who spends his time hunting and fishing. He believes that establishing the relationship between his character and his friends is crucial for conveying the fear and loss his character experiences later. "I wanted my character to appear playful and innocent when he’s with his friends. Among them, he is the most vulnerable. There are brief scenes where he sniffs around and laughs, which I think illustrate our relationship. Later, it becomes like a war zone. When comrades die in battle, it’s said that one loses their mind. The fear and the desire to survive lead to a desperate struggle for life, and I couldn’t overlook that aspect," Jo said. Jo emphasized that in the action scenes, emotion is more important than mere movement. He believes that as the relationships between his character and others deteriorate, the fear manifests in his expressions in the latter part of the film. "Those scenes are actually the most important. The scene where my character first appears is crucial. It needed to convey relationships without providing any information to the audience. Therefore, I spent a lot of time with the group in the film. As relationships developed, it built confidence when brought into the character's internal world. The relationships between my character and his group, as well as with another character, Beom-seok, are intertwined with senior-junior dynamics, reflecting the film's relationship structure. I believe that as those details accumulate and relationships fade, the fear and horror culminate in the final expressions of dread," he said. Director Na Hong-jin's direction was focused on maintaining tension. Even scenes that appeared simple, like walking, required the actors to hold onto that tension throughout. "Action can be instinctive or calculated, but I believe the acting aspect of character building must be mastered. The director constantly directed us via radio to 'maintain tension.' While it may seem easy to walk, we had to keep that tension while doing so," Jo noted. In the latter part of the film, Jo's character faces multiple near-death experiences. He interprets his character's survival not through scientific explanation but as a manifestation of a superhuman desire to live. "There are exaggerated elements, but it raises the question of whether he should have died or been severely injured. I believe it should be viewed as a miraculous human strength. Miracles can happen or not, but often those who have suffered greatly find the strength to rise after prayer. That kind of miracle seems to stem from a desperate desire to survive. There’s also the superhuman strength that emerges when a parent tries to protect their child. I think it’s about running away despite the pain because of the will to live," he explained. One particularly challenging action scene involved riding a horse, which Jo found to be a significant test. There were moments when he thought it would be impossible to execute the scene. "Riding a horse to cross over to the police station felt like perfectionism. Typically, if a scenario seems impossible, one would give up. Compromise is natural. If something can’t be done, it can’t be done. But it worked out. I didn’t think it would be possible. When I asked the stunt team if they had done something like this before, they said they hadn’t. When I asked if they could do it, they said they couldn’t because they hadn’t tried it. I just went for it without knowing if it would work, and what I thought was impossible turned out to be miraculous," he said. The scene of galloping down the road became even more challenging due to weather and safety issues. Snowfall led to icy asphalt, making it difficult for the horse to run. "I remember we planned for a month but ended up taking a month and a half. It snowed in between. When it snows, the asphalt freezes, and the horse can’t run. The shoes are made of metal, so they just slide. Even if we switched to rubber, it wouldn’t work on dry asphalt. We had to wait for it to melt. We couldn’t clear the snow that piled up behind us. We called it 'roll call,' setting everything up in the morning and being ready to shoot whenever the weather allowed. There were many days we set up but couldn’t shoot and had to leave," he said. He described this scene as one where "if an accident happens, it could be fatal." It was a tense environment for both the actors and the crew. "It wasn’t that I disliked it. It was our responsibility to get it right. It was technically difficult, and if an accident happened, it could be deadly. That made it even more tense. It was chaotic. The director wanted the staff to be more tense than anyone else, and we had to be tense. There was no substitute for us, so the director must have felt anxious and burdened," he said. 'Hope' represents a challenge for Jo as he ventures into a new genre. Aware of the ups and downs of the sci-fi and creature genres in Korean cinema, he expressed a desire not to shy away from it. "The challenge lies in the difficulty of this genre. There have been fluctuations in the sci-fi genre in Korean cinema, and it’s inherently prone to ups and downs. Overcoming that is a task we must face. Personally, I had to decide whether to play it safe or take a risk. I don’t want my activities to become boring. I didn’t want to stay stagnant, even if the chances of a negative outcome were high. When we were working on 'Moving,' people looked at the flying scenes with skepticism, but it still left a good memory. That made me want to try again," he said. As Korean cinema navigates a challenging period, expectations for 'Hope' are high. Jo likened it to the hibiscus flower that blooms amid the monsoon and typhoon. "There’s a flower called hibiscus that blooms during the monsoon and typhoon. Despite the challenges, it still blooms. I hope 'Hope' can flourish in the audience's embrace, overcoming the difficulties and challenges faced by our film industry, as well as the hurdles of being a creature, sci-fi, and fantasy film. If those challenges are like the monsoon and typhoon, I hope the film can bloom beautifully in the audience's hearts. That’s my hope," he concluded. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-19 15:12:00
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Majority of South Koreans Support Stricter Penalties for Key Technology Leaks Nine out of ten South Koreans believe that the country should establish a legal framework to impose severe penalties for the overseas leakage of key technologies, such as semiconductors, from an economic security perspective.The Korea Employers Federation (KEF) revealed this finding on July 19 from a national survey conducted with 1,000 respondents aged 19 and older regarding public awareness of measures against key technology leaks.According to the survey, 92.5% of respondents indicated that the negative impact of key technology leaks on the economy is 'serious.'Specifically, 62.6% rated the severity as 'very serious' (9-10 points), while 29.9% rated it as 'serious' (6-8 points), and 7.5% rated it as 'below average' (0-5 points). The average score was 8.6 out of 10.Furthermore, 91.4% of respondents stated that South Korea should respond by establishing a legal framework for economic security similar to that of the United States and China. Only 7.8% believed the current measures were sufficient.This suggests a demand for more effective penalties for crimes involving the overseas leakage of key technologies, in addition to the existing laws aimed at protecting and fostering technology.Regarding the level of punishment for key technology leaks, 90.7% of respondents said that penalties should be strengthened. Only 5.3% supported maintaining the current level, while 3.2% favored a reduction.Among those who rated the negative impact on the economy as 'very serious,' the demand for stronger penalties reached 97%. The KEF explained that the greater the perceived severity, the higher the demand for increased penalties.Additionally, 90.6% of respondents agreed that the economic disadvantages imposed should exceed the profits gained from the crime through fines and confiscation. Only 5.0% opposed this due to concerns about excessive or double penalties, while 4.4% were unsure.The most concerning potential damage from the overseas leakage of key technologies included 'weakened national competitiveness due to reduced technological gaps with rival countries' (53.0%), 'threats to national security and supply chain stability' (19.5%), 'decreased sales due to a drop in global market share' (16.4%), and 'job losses and tax revenue impacts due to the decline of key industries' (10.0%).According to the KEF, the number of detected cases of overseas leakage of key technologies in South Korea surged from nine in 2021 to 33 in 2025. Since 2020, the estimated economic damage caused by these leaks has reached 23 trillion won.Particularly in South Korea, where the proportion of advanced industries is high compared to major countries, the impact of key technology leaks on national competitiveness is significant. The Inter-American Development Bank reported that in 2024, the share of high-tech manufacturing exports in South Korea's total manufacturing exports is 36.3%, which is 1.8 times higher than the G7 average of 20.2%. This figure surpasses that of the United Kingdom (29.7%), the United States (24.3%), and France (23.1%).The economic damage from the overseas leakage of key technologies from major companies such as Samsung Electronics, Hyundai Motor, and Hanwha Ocean amounts to tens of trillions of won. Samsung's 18-nanometer DRAM process technology, a national key technology that cost 1.6 trillion won to develop, was leaked to China's Changxin Memory in 2016, allowing China to catch up with South Korea's semiconductor technology. In the case of Hyundai Motor, key hydrogen fuel cell technology was leaked by a former employee to a Chinese automotive company, resulting in significant losses. Hanwha Ocean also suffered substantial damage when former employees leaked key submarine design plans to Taiwan.Despite these damages, the business community points out that penalties remain weak. While countries like the United States and China have legal frameworks focused on deterring key technology leaks, South Korea's laws emphasize technology protection and development.For instance, the U.S. Economic Espionage Act strictly punishes the leakage of technology that benefits foreign entities as economic espionage, while China's Anti-Espionage Law classifies the leakage of technologies related to national security as espionage. In fact, the U.S. has sentenced individuals to 20 years in prison for leaking aircraft engine technology, and China has imposed the death penalty in a case where an engineer sold state secrets to foreign intelligence agencies. In contrast, South Korea's Industrial Technology Protection Act focuses on industrial protection, resulting in a maximum sentence of only 6 years and 4 months for key technology leaks.Ha Sang-woo, a director at the KEF, stated, "A majority of the public views the overseas leakage of key technologies not just as a corporate issue but as a matter that threatens national competitiveness and economic security. Given that South Korea's export-driven economy, based on advanced manufacturing, is more susceptible to the negative ripple effects of key technology leaks than other countries, there is a need for a robust legal framework for penalties as part of economic security measures."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-19 15:08:00