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U.S. Congress Urges Ban on Purchases from Chinese Semiconductor Firms CXMT and YMTC U.S. lawmakers are calling for strong government regulations to reduce dependence on Chinese AI semiconductors.On July 16, John Molena, the Republican chairman of the House China Special Committee, and Democratic Representative George Whitesides urged Commerce Secretary Howard Rutnik to block American companies from purchasing products from Chinese semiconductor firms Changxin Memory Technologies (CXMT) and Yangtze Memory Technologies (YMTC).In a letter, the lawmakers warned that "reliance on Chinese memory semiconductors poses a serious threat to U.S. national, economic, and supply chain security."Molena specifically expressed concern over recent moves by major U.S. technology companies, including Apple, to source Chinese memory amid a global DRAM supply shortage.He criticized, "Chinese memory companies are closely linked to the Chinese military," adding that purchases by U.S. firms ultimately support the development of key technologies for the People's Liberation Army.Earlier, the Financial Times reported that Apple has been lobbying the Trump administration to allow the use of CXMT products in its devices.Currently, the U.S. Department of Defense has designated CXMT as a "Chinese military enterprise," but this designation does not impose direct restrictions on transactions with U.S. companies.In response, the lawmakers are demanding practical regulatory measures that would completely ban the purchase of products from Chinese companies listed on the Defense Department's military enterprise list or the Commerce Department's export control blacklist (Entity List). They advocate for adding CXMT to the Entity List and increasing sanctions on the already listed YMTC.The lawmakers also emphasized the need for collaboration with allies such as South Korea, Japan, and the European Union to establish a united front against Chinese companies that may exploit global supply chain shortages. 2026-07-17 16:04:00 -
Ruling Party Grants Exception for Candidates Song Young-gil and Kim Yong The Democratic Party of Korea on July 17 granted exceptional candidate qualifications to Song Young-gil, a lawmaker, and Kim Yong, former deputy head of the Democratic Research Institute, who declared their candidacies for party leader and supreme council member, respectively. The party held a series of meetings, including a Supreme Council meeting and a Party Affairs Committee meeting, to finalize the decision.Kang Jun-hyun, the party's chief spokesperson, told reporters at the National Assembly, "The party rules specify that the eligibility of candidates for party leader and supreme council members can be determined differently through a decision by the Party Affairs Committee," adding, "We have decided to apply exceptions for the two candidates, Song and Kim."According to the party's regulations, eligibility to run for office is granted only to party members who have been members for at least six months prior to the eligibility exercise date and have paid party dues at least six times within the year preceding that date.Song, who left the party in 2023 amid allegations of distributing money envelopes, returned to the party in February after a court acquitted him. However, he has not yet completed six months since his return. Kim, on the other hand, reportedly failed to meet the party dues requirement due to a prison sentence related to charges of receiving money from private developers during the Daejang-dong development scandal.The Democratic Party's rules allow for exceptions to be recognized by the Party Affairs Committee if significant reasons are acknowledged through a Supreme Council decision. Following the Supreme Council's recognition of Song and Kim's candidacies, some members aligned with the pro-Cheongrae faction expressed their discontent, calling it "excessive benefits." In contrast, supporters of Song stated that the Party Affairs Committee's decision upheld the members' right to choose, asserting, "Today's decision is neither a privilege nor a favor. It was handled according to the party's constitution and regulations."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-17 15:28:00
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Ruling Party Grants Exception for Candidates Song Young-gil and Kim Yong The Democratic Party of Korea on July 17 granted exceptional candidate qualifications to Song Young-gil, a lawmaker, and Kim Yong, former deputy head of the Democratic Research Institute, who announced their candidacies for party leader and supreme council member, respectively. The party held a series of meetings, including a supreme council meeting and a party affairs committee meeting, to finalize the decision.Kang Jun-hyun, the party's chief spokesperson, told reporters at the National Assembly, "The party rules specify that the eligibility for candidates for party leader and supreme council members can be determined differently through a decision by the party affairs committee," adding that the committee approved the exception for the two candidates.According to the party's regulations, eligibility to run for office is granted only to party members who have joined at least six months prior to the exercise of their rights and have paid party dues at least six times within the year preceding that date.Song, who left the party in 2023 amid allegations of distributing money envelopes, returned to the party in February after a court acquitted him, but he has not yet completed six months since his reinstatement.Kim, on the other hand, reportedly failed to meet the party dues requirement due to account freezes while serving a prison sentence for receiving money from private developers involved in the Daejang-dong development scandal.The Democratic Party's rules allow for exceptions to be recognized by the party affairs committee following a decision by the supreme council if significant reasons are acknowledged.Following the supreme council's decision to recognize the candidacies of Song and Kim, members of the pro-Cheongrae faction expressed their discontent, calling it "excessive benefits."In contrast, Song's camp stated after the party affairs committee's decision that "the rights of party members have been upheld," asserting that "today's decision is neither a privilege nor a favor, but a process handled according to party rules." 2026-07-17 15:28:00
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KIC China Hosts 'Korean Innovation Pavilion' at WAIC in Shanghai to Promote AI Cooperation KIC China is operating the 'Korean Innovation Pavilion' at the World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC 2026) in Shanghai from July 17 to 20, marking the first time a Korean institution has done so. The pavilion aims to support the entry of domestic artificial intelligence (AI) innovation companies into the Chinese market.WAIC, which has been held annually in Shanghai since its inception in 2018, is a leading international event in the global AI sector. This year, Chinese President Xi Jinping is attending for the first time. The theme of this year's event is 'AI Partnership for a Brighter Future,' featuring participation from over 1,100 companies worldwide and showcasing more than 3,000 AI technologies and products.KIC China is collaborating with the Korea-China Torch Innovation Center, under the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology of China, to operate the Korean Innovation Pavilion, introducing the excellent technologies and products of Korean AI innovation companies to the Chinese AI industry ecosystem.The 'Korean Innovation Pavilion' features eight participating companies, including ▲ Dynamic Solution (AI-based robotics and intelligent automation solutions) ▲ AI Works (AI-based industrial solutions and AI technology platform) ▲ Aslon (AI technology for digital transformation in industrial sites) ▲ SECA (innovative services based on AI and digital technology) ▲ Hypernology (advanced technology in AI and robotics) ▲ Neurocle (deep learning-based industrial vision AI solutions) ▲ Stepath (enterprise AI platform).KIC China is implementing various linkage programs to expand practical cooperation opportunities between Korean innovation companies and the Chinese industrial ecosystem.These programs include business consultation meetings and technology exchange programs with Chinese AI companies, investment institutions, and industry stakeholders, as well as visits to the 'AI Town' industrial site in Shanghai to observe the current state of the Chinese AI industry ecosystem.On July 18, KIC China, the Korea-China Torch Innovation Center, and the WAIC organizing body will sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to enhance cooperation in AI, digital technology, and future industries between the two countries. This agreement aims to strengthen technology exchange, corporate collaboration, industrial linkage, and the joint utilization of innovative resources.Kim Jong-moon, director of KIC China, stated, "The Korean Innovation Pavilion will serve as a platform for Korean companies to connect directly with the Chinese AI industry ecosystem and discover collaboration opportunities with local companies, investment institutions, and research organizations. We will continue to expand Korea-China innovation cooperation in future industries such as AI, robotics, and physical AI."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-17 15:24:00
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KIC China Launches 'Korean Innovation Hall' at WAIC in Shanghai to Promote AI Cooperation KIC China is operating the 'Korean Innovation Hall' at the World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC 2026) in Shanghai from July 17 to 20, marking the first time a Korean institution has established such a presence to support domestic AI innovation companies entering the Chinese market.Since its inception in 2018, WAIC has become a leading international event in the global AI sector, with this year's theme being 'AI Partnership for a Brighter Future.' Chinese President Xi Jinping is attending the event for the first time, which features over 1,100 companies showcasing more than 3,000 AI technologies and products.KIC China is collaborating with the Korea-China Torch Innovation Center, under the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology of China, to introduce the advanced technologies and products of Korean AI innovation companies to the Chinese AI industry ecosystem.The 'Korean Innovation Hall' includes eight participating companies: ▲ Dynamic Solution (AI-based robotics and intelligent automation solutions) ▲ AI Works (AI-based industrial solutions and AI technology platform) ▲ Aslon (AI technology for digital transformation in industrial sites) ▲ SECA (innovative services based on AI and digital technology) ▲ Hypernology (advanced technology in AI and robotics) ▲ Neurocle (deep learning-based industrial vision AI solutions) ▲ Stepath (enterprise AI platform).To expand practical cooperation opportunities between Korean innovation companies and the Chinese industrial ecosystem, KIC China is running various linkage programs.These include business consultation meetings and technology exchange programs with Chinese AI companies, investment institutions, and industry stakeholders, as well as visits to Shanghai's 'AI Town' to observe the current state of the Chinese AI industry ecosystem.On July 18, KIC China, the Korea-China Torch Innovation Center, and the WAIC organizing body will sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to enhance cooperation in AI, digital technology, and future industries between the two countries. This agreement aims to strengthen technology exchange, corporate collaboration, industrial linkage, and the joint utilization of innovative resources.Kim Jong-moon, director of KIC China, stated, "The Korean Innovation Hall will serve as a platform for Korean companies to connect directly with the Chinese AI industry ecosystem and discover collaboration opportunities with local companies, investment institutions, and research organizations. We will continue to expand Korea-China innovation cooperation in future industries such as AI, robotics, and physical AI."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-17 15:24:00
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TSMC lifts forecasts as AI demand cools peak fears SEOUL, July 17 (AJP) - TSMC reported record second-quarter earnings and raised its annual revenue and capital spending forecasts, signaling confidence that artificial intelligence demand will keep powering the chip industry and tempering fears that the AI boom is nearing a peak. The world's largest contract chipmaker said Thursday that net profit for the April to June quarter jumped 77.4 percent from a year earlier to NT$706.56 billion ($22 billion), comfortably beating the NT$632.6 billion mean estimate of analysts polled by LSEG and marking a fifth straight record quarter. Revenue climbed 36.0 percent to NT$1.27 trillion, while operating profit rose 65.4 percent to NT$766.6 billion. The operating margin widened 10.7 percentage points to 60.3 percent, crossing the 60 percent threshold for the first time as high-performance computing sales, which include AI chips, surged 20 percent from the previous quarter. Guidance impressed investors more than the results themselves. TSMC projected third-quarter revenue of $44.6 billion to $45.8 billion, above market expectations, and raised its full-year dollar revenue growth forecast to slightly above 40 percent from a prior view of more than 30 percent, betting that resilient AI demand will offset softening smartphone and other consumer sales. The Taiwanese firm also lifted planned 2026 capital spending to between $60 billion and $64 billion, from $52 billion to $56 billion, earmarking 70 percent to 80 percent for advanced nodes and the rest for cutting-edge packaging and testing. The expansion targets capacity that will come on stream from the second half of 2027, underscoring longer-term confidence. To meet that demand, TSMC will pour an additional $100 billion into its operations in Arizona. The upbeat outlook did little to steady South Korean chip shares on Thursday, however, as Samsung Electronics tumbled 8.77 percent to 255,000 won and SK Hynix slid 11.53 percent to 1.842 million won, dragged down by an overnight sell-off in U.S. memory names amid worries over rising Chinese supply and cooling data-center spending. 2026-07-17 15:18:39 -
FIFA to Award First-Ever 'Champion Rings' at 2026 North American World Cup The International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) will award the winning team of the 2026 North American World Cup with a 'champion ring' for the first time in the tournament's history. FIFA announced on its official website on July 17 that it has decided to present a specially crafted 'champion ring' to the winning team, marking a historic first for FIFA-sanctioned tournaments. The victorious nation will receive this new symbol of triumph alongside the traditional World Cup trophy and gold medals. The organization noted, "This is the first time a hallmark of victory from American sports will be introduced to the global soccer stage." A total of 2026 champion rings will be produced, commemorating the year of the tournament. Each ring will be assigned a unique number. Of these, 30 rings will be awarded to the winning team's players, while the remaining 1996 will be designated as official licensed merchandise and sold to soccer fans worldwide. The ring presentation will occur sequentially after the final match. During the awards ceremony immediately following the final, temporary rings will be presented to the winning team's coach and captain. Subsequently, custom-made rings tailored to the physical specifications of the 30 players will be produced and delivered at a later date. 2026-07-17 15:12:00
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Na Hong-jin's 'Hope' Surpasses 1 Million Viewers in Just Three Days Na Hong-jin's film 'Hope' surpassed 1 million viewers on July 17, just three days after its release. This marks the fastest achievement for a film released this year.Distributor Plus M Entertainment announced on the afternoon of July 17 that 'Hope' had exceeded 1 million viewers.This achievement came a day earlier than the previous record set by director Yeon Sang-ho's film 'Train to Busan', which reached 1 million viewers on its fourth day. Director Jang Hang-jun's 'The King’s Affection' achieved the milestone on its fifth day.'Hope', which premiered on July 15, is a science fiction film that tells the story of an unknown alien life form arriving in a fictional village near the Demilitarized Zone called Hopohang.This is Na's first new film in ten years since 'The Wailing' (2016), featuring a star-studded cast that includes Hwang Jung-min, Jo In-sung, and Jung Ho-yeon, along with Hollywood actors Michael Fassbender, Alicia Vikander, and Taylor Russell, generating significant anticipation prior to its release.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-17 14:44:00
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Chey urges patience on SK hynix as AI demand set to surge SEOUL, July 17 (AJP) - Chey Tae-won, chairman of the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), said that investors in SK hynix would be wiser to hold their shares than to trade them, arguing that memory chips remain indispensable to the artificial intelligence boom. "I don't know where the stock will be next month either, but the best way to preserve your wealth is to sit tight rather than buy and sell," Chey said Friday during an AI dialogue at the KCCI summer forum on the resort island of Jeju. The remarks came a day after the benchmark KOSPI tumbled 6.37 percent to close at 6,820.60, slipping back below the 7,000 mark, as SK hynix plunged 11.5 percent amid a broad selloff in semiconductor shares triggered by the Bank of Korea's first rate hike in three and a half years. Chey brushed aside the volatility, likening AI to a four-year-old child that would inevitably lean on memory as it matured. Demand, he said, was bound to climb at an exponential pace, a dynamic he credited for the tenfold surge in chip valuations. Turning to strategy, the chairman cast the AI race as a matter of national security rather than mere industry, describing a widening rift between an American push for quality and a Chinese drive for price. South Korea, he warned, could hope to beat neither on those terms alone. Instead, Chey urged Seoul to carve out a niche by laying its own infrastructure and building applications atop it, courting the neutral nations caught between the two superpowers. The country should sell computing capacity and large language models, he said, not memory chips alone. "In the future, we must shift our strategy toward exporting intelligence rather than products," Chey said, adding that Korea's edge would lie in offering something safer, or otherwise distinct, than what Washington or Beijing could provide. 2026-07-17 12:53:52 -
Yuhan-Kimberly Rebrands Clean Beauty Line as 'Forest Seoul' Yuhan-Kimberly announced on July 17 that it is rebranding its clean beauty line, Forest, to Forest Seoul.Forest Seoul combines the healing power of nature with the vibrant energy of Seoul, reflecting a brand philosophy aimed at providing skin with 'breath' and 'rest' through the strength of the forest in a bustling city.The brand identity has also been revamped. The tranquil image of the forest has been enhanced with the dynamic mood of Seoul, emphasizing a trendy aesthetic. Product packaging has been renewed with a modern and sophisticated design to strengthen its identity as a K-clean beauty brand.Makeup artist Min Kim has been chosen as the brand persona, and a variety of products will be launched in collaboration with her. Min Kim is a globally recognized makeup artist based in Paris, who has nearly 20 years of experience and won the final competition on Coupang Play's makeup contest program, 'Just Makeup,' under the name 'Paris Geumsun.'The brand representative stated, "This rebranding aims to diversify our portfolio from a more mainstream perspective and target the global market." They added, "We will strengthen the unique brand positioning of Forest Seoul, chosen by experts, to establish a foothold as a global K-clean beauty brand."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-17 12:24:00