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  • NH Bank Launches NH Credit On Alliance to Support Alternative Credit Assessment
    NH Bank Launches 'NH Credit On' Alliance to Support Alternative Credit Assessment NH Nonghyup Bank announced the establishment of 'NH Credit On' on July 16. This initiative is an alternative credit assessment alliance aimed at supporting financially marginalized groups, involving NH Nonghyup Bank, NH Nonghyup Capital, Agile Soda, Honest AI, Kakao Pay, Korea Credit Bureau, Crepas Solution, and Korea Evaluation Information, among others. The participants plan to jointly explore ways to enhance alternative credit assessments for those lacking financial information, including young people and small business owners. Key areas of collaboration include sharing alternative data such as platform usage, consumption history, and information based on the National Tax Service, quantifying unstructured data using generative artificial intelligence (AI), and developing and pre-validating a joint alternative credit assessment model. In particular, NH Bank aims to develop an AI-based credit assessment report agent that will also suggest ways to improve credit scores. The bank plans to actively align with the financial authorities' guidelines for 'improving the credit assessment system' as part of a broader shift toward inclusive finance and will continue practical discussions on the matter. Kang Tae-young, president of NH Nonghyup Bank, stated, "We will combine the competitive edge of alternative information, modeling capabilities, and innovative AI technology to establish a fair and differentiated alternative credit assessment system. We are committed to ensuring that no customer is marginalized due to a lack of financial history, thereby realizing true inclusive finance."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-16 08:56:00
  • Boston Dynamics Reveals Behind-the-Scenes Training of Atlas for World Cup Performance
    Boston Dynamics Reveals Behind-the-Scenes Training of Atlas for World Cup Performance Boston Dynamics, a robotics subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Group, has released behind-the-scenes footage of its humanoid robot Atlas in preparation for the FIFA World Cup 2026 halftime performance.On July 15, Boston Dynamics shared videos and content detailing the development process and technical significance of Atlas's World Cup halftime show through its official social media channels and technology blog.The company explained that it applied various technologies to respond to the unpredictable environment of the stadium.Seth Davis, senior program manager at Boston Dynamics, stated, "To deploy a robot from the lab to a real stadium, we had to consider not only the robot's performance but also the communication environment, ground conditions, and interactions with surrounding people."Previously, on July 5, Atlas showcased a performance during the halftime of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16, reenacting goal celebrations of world-class soccer players and delivering a soccer ball to the referee. The performance was praised for demonstrating stable movements in a real stadium environment, proving its potential for practical use.In a stadium filled with tens of thousands of fans, stable control was challenging with existing Wi-Fi-based communication, prompting the establishment of a dedicated communication channel. The control system and software were also improved to ensure reliable operation in strong sunlight and high outdoor temperatures.Adapting to the grass environment was another major challenge. While the original Atlas had been trained on flat indoor surfaces, the unevenness and variability of soccer field grass increased the risk of slipping or tripping.To address this, Boston Dynamics added technology to model the interaction between the robot's feet and the grass, conducting repeated training in a local park's soccer field.Additionally, to naturally execute goal celebration and ball delivery movements, the company combined retargeting technology, which adapts human movements to the robot's structure, with reinforcement learning and full-body control techniques to enhance response speed and balance control performance.Boston Dynamics emphasized that this demonstration is not just a performance but a process to validate core technologies required in manufacturing environments. The full-body control, balance maintenance, and environmental adaptation skills necessary for kicking or delivering a ball could be applied in various industrial settings, including material handling, component manipulation, and production tasks.Seth Davis noted, "The most important aspect of developing Atlas is to enable the robot to perform virtually any task. Our goal is to intuitively show what robots can do for people and what roles they will play in the future."Meanwhile, Boston Dynamics plans to continue advancing related technologies to develop Atlas as a key element in actual manufacturing environments. 2026-07-16 08:56:00
  • Market Preview: U.S. Stocks Rise on Easing Inflation, KOSPI Faces Semiconductor Volatility
    Market Preview: U.S. Stocks Rise on Easing Inflation, KOSPI Faces Semiconductor Volatility The U.S. stock market closed higher, buoyed by a decline in the Producer Price Index (PPI) and strong performances from major tech companies. However, with U.S. semiconductor stocks showing weakness and a sharp drop in SK Hynix's American Depositary Receipts (ADRs), domestic markets are expected to experience continued volatility, particularly in semiconductor shares.On July 15, the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose by 150.37 points (0.29%) to close at 52,658.64. The S&P 500 gained 28.81 points (0.38%) to finish at 7,572.40, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite increased by 162.22 points (0.62%) to end at 26,269.23.The U.S. PPI for June fell by 0.3% compared to the previous month, falling short of market expectations and easing concerns about interest rate hikes. Strong earnings from major financial firms like BlackRock and Morgan Stanley also supported investor sentiment. Tech giants such as Apple (up 4.01%), Alphabet (up 3.60%), and Amazon (up 3.02%) contributed to the market's gains.In contrast, semiconductor stocks faced declines. The Philadelphia Semiconductor Index dropped by 2.08%, and SK Hynix's ADR fell sharply by 9% after a previous surge. International oil prices also rose amid ongoing tensions between the U.S. and Iran, with West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil increasing by 0.33% to $79.60 per barrel, and Brent crude rising by 0.26% to $84.95 per barrel.Despite the rise in U.S. markets, domestic stocks are expected to be influenced by the adjustments in semiconductor shares.As of 8:40 a.m., in the NXT pre-market, Samsung Electronics was down 5.5%, and SK Hynix fell 7.9%. SK Square (-8.4%) and Samsung Electro-Mechanics (-7.1%) also showed weakness, while HLB (up 12.3%) and Hanwha Ocean (up 6.4%) performed well.Market analysts note that while the macro environment has improved due to easing inflation in the U.S., the supply-demand fluctuations and earnings events surrounding semiconductors will remain key variables for the market in the near term.Han Ji-young, a researcher at Kiwoom Securities, stated, "The decline in the U.S. June inflation indicators has alleviated inflationary pressures, and the surge in SK Hynix's ADR along with forecasts of memory supply shortages signal positive trends for the semiconductor industry. However, variables such as ASML and TSMC's earnings and the normalization of leveraged supply must be confirmed, indicating that short-term supply volatility may continue."He added, "Given that the domestic market has undergone significant adjustments beyond the financial crisis, the valuation burden has been greatly reduced. Therefore, rather than focusing on further corrections, it is essential to consider the potential for recovery. A strategy of gradually increasing positions in semiconductor and AI infrastructure-related stocks, which have seen the largest corrections, is advisable."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-16 08:52:00
  • Barun Law Firm Hosts Seminar on Survival Strategies for Listed Companies Amid Regulatory Changes
    Barun Law Firm Hosts Seminar on Survival Strategies for Listed Companies Amid Regulatory Changes Barun Law LLC (led by attorneys Lee Dong-hoon, Lee Young-hee, and Kim Do-hyung) announced on July 16 that it held a seminar on July 15 at its auditorium on the 15th floor of the Barun Building in Gangnam, Seoul. The seminar focused on 'Survival Strategies for Listed Companies Amid Regulatory Changes – Legal Risks and Practical Responses Following the Delisting System Reform.'The event attracted numerous employees and practical staff from listed companies, reflecting a strong interest in the enhanced delisting regulations.The seminar aimed to analyze the legal risks that listed companies may face and to propose strategies for maintaining listings and enhancing corporate value based on practical case studies. The revised listing regulations have been in effect since July 1.Since February, the exchange has designated a concentrated management period from now until June 2027 and has activated a 'Delisting Concentrated Management Team' led by the exchange's vice president. The KOSDAQ review process has been strengthened with four teams comprising 20 members, and the maximum improvement period for substantial reviews has been reduced by one year. The Barun Delisting Response Team analyzed that as the speed and density of reviews have increased, planning based on past processing speeds could lead to significant risks.Attorney Choi Seung-hwan (39th Judicial Research and Training Institute) presented on 'Legal Response Strategies for Listed Companies Following the Implementation of the Delisting System for Stocks Below 1,000 Won,' dissecting the practical application of the delisting criteria that took effect on July 1.Choi emphasized the need to clearly distinguish between the price and trading days that determine the closing price, as well as the criteria for designating and lifting management items. He particularly noted the limitations of responses through stock consolidation and capital reduction. The revised regulations define repeated consolidations and consolidations exceeding a 10-to-1 ratio as separate grounds for delisting, indicating that attempts to formally evade these rules could actually lead to delisting.He advised that even after stock consolidation, the reasons for delisting related to stock price, market capitalization, and distribution structure remain, urging legal teams to manage articles of incorporation, par value, and total issued shares, while disclosure and stock affairs teams should monitor closing prices and continuous shortfall days. The planning and finance teams should manage theoretical prices based on consolidation ratios and post-consolidation market capitalization, establishing a collaborative response system across departments. He stressed that stock consolidation should not be viewed as an isolated price adjustment task but as a comprehensive decision-making process that addresses listing maintenance, finance, audit, and disclosure risks.Attorney Lee Hyung-jin discussed 'Enterprise-wide Risk Management to Prevent Delisting,' categorizing the risks associated with delisting into legal and management risks. He explained that legal risks could include damage claims from minority shareholders, securities-related class actions, investigations by financial authorities due to false disclosures, and potential criminal penalties and administrative sanctions against executives, including fines and recommendations for dismissal.The management implications are even broader. Lee noted that capital market funding through rights offerings and corporate bonds could be effectively blocked, leading to credit rating downgrades, increased interest rates, and refusals to extend maturities. He warned that there could be reluctance to maintain or extend contracts with business partners, disadvantages in international partnerships and bidding qualifications, and even the loss of talented employees. He emphasized that preventing delisting should be treated as an enterprise-wide risk management task.Advisor Yoon Gi-jun (former head of the KOSDAQ market listing department at the Korea Exchange) highlighted in his presentation on 'Changes and Significance of the Delisting System' that the key takeaway for listed companies from this reform is the emphasis on 'early warning' rather than 'strengthened standards.' Yoon pointed out that the requirement for stock price and market capitalization to recover for 45 consecutive trading days makes short-term reactive measures difficult, and the periods for recovery and improvement are not lengthy.He proposed establishing a 'CFO Dashboard' that encompasses market (daily stock price, market capitalization, trading days), finance (monthly self-capital and potential complete capital erosion), cash flow, funding plans, and pre-consultation on audit issues. He suggested using a weekly management situation board to check stock price and disclosure issues, reporting capital, cash, and audit issues in monthly risk meetings, and bringing matters to the board for approval of capital transactions and disclosure actions when approaching critical thresholds.Yoon stated, 'What is needed now is not post-explanation and damage control, but early warning and proactive response for each company,' adding, 'Listing maintenance risks should be managed as ongoing management indicators, not just year-end tasks.'Attorney Lee Dong-hoon remarked, 'The recent reform aimed at the swift exit of failing companies has significantly increased the legal risks faced by listed companies.' He added, 'The Barun Delisting Response Team will support the establishment of an integrated response system encompassing finance, disclosure, investor relations, and compliance to help companies achieve the dual goals of maintaining their listings and enhancing corporate value.'The Barun Delisting Response Team is a specialized organization composed of experts with practical experience in financial regulatory agencies such as the Financial Services Commission, the Financial Supervisory Service, and the Korea Exchange, providing comprehensive advice on legal risks and practical responses related to the enhanced delisting system, including the delisting of stocks below 1,000 won.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-16 08:48:00
  • IBK Securities Projects Record Annual Performance for Samsung Electro-Mechanics, Raises Target Price by 66.7%
    IBK Securities Projects Record Annual Performance for Samsung Electro-Mechanics, Raises Target Price by 66.7% IBK Investment & Securities announced on July 16 that it expects Samsung Electro-Mechanics to achieve record annual performance in 2026, driven by growth in flip-chip ball grid array (FC-BGA) substrates for artificial intelligence (AI) semiconductors and multilayer ceramic capacitors (MLCC). The firm raised its target price for Samsung Electro-Mechanics from 1,050,000 won to 1,750,000 won, an increase of 66.7%, while maintaining a 'buy' rating.Kim Un-ho, a researcher at IBK Investment & Securities, analyzed that the recent buying trend from foreign investors reflects Samsung Electro-Mechanics' growth potential. He stated, "Even as AI-related companies reduce their shareholdings, Samsung Electro-Mechanics continues to see sustained buying interest, indicating a strong outlook for FC-BGA and MLCC growth."IBK Investment & Securities anticipates that large-scale facility investments to meet the growing demand for AI semiconductors will begin in earnest. It also expects that the ongoing supply shortage of high-performance MLCC products will lead to improved performance. Consequently, the firm projects operating profit to rise to 1.8 trillion won in 2026 and 2.9 trillion won in 2027.This year, operating profit is expected to increase by 93% compared to 2025, reaching an all-time high. The package division is anticipated to lead this growth. Estimated operating profits by segment include 463.2 billion won for the package division, more than triple the amount from 2025, 1.1423 trillion won for the components division, an increase of 84.6%, and 158.5 billion won for the optical division, a 5.6% rise.In particular, the expansion of server applications is expected to drive growth in MLCC, while the package division will benefit from increased orders for server and application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs). The package division's operating profit is projected to reach 1.7 trillion won by 2028. Kim noted, "The improvement in operating profit is expected to continue from 2023, which is seen as a low point, reaching 4.8 trillion won by 2028."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-16 08:48:00
  • GS Caltex Completes Major Maintenance at Yeosu Plant with AI Integration
    GS Caltex Completes Major Maintenance at Yeosu Plant with AI Integration GS Caltex announced on July 16 that it has completed its major maintenance work (TA) at the Yeosu plant for the first half of 2026.TA involves halting operations at refining and petrochemical plants to inspect key production facilities and replace aging parts and consumables as part of regular maintenance.From May, GS Caltex conducted major maintenance on nine processes over approximately 60 days, investing around 200 billion won and involving an average of 3,000 workers daily.This maintenance utilized digital and artificial intelligence (AI) technologies for work planning, site operations, and safety management.To manage the location and inspection status of electric valves (MOV) installed throughout the plant, GS Caltex developed the 'MOVision' application based on Google Earth and 3D modeling. The app displays valve locations and details, with completed inspections indicated by a color change.For heater tubes, which are difficult to clean internally, the company deployed cleaning robots. These robots removed foreign substances from areas previously inaccessible to existing equipment, and the company plans to monitor changes in thermal efficiency and fuel consumption in the future.AI-equipped closed-circuit television (CCTV) was also implemented at the work site. This system detects various hazards in real-time, such as whether protective gear and safety harnesses are worn and the proximity of heavy machinery, managing high-risk work areas.In addition to the major maintenance period, GS Caltex operates a company-wide safety, health, and environment council known as SLC. Safety culture programs and leadership practice guidelines are applied at the Yeosu plant, logistics center, technology research institute, and domestic and international subsidiaries.Heo Se-hong, Vice Chairman of GS Caltex, stated, "We applied on-site experience along with digital and AI technologies in this major maintenance. We will continue to expand the practical use of related technologies in the field."Meanwhile, Heo Tae-soo, Chairman of GS Group, is promoting DAX (Digital and AI Transformation) as a future breakthrough and is expanding investments in the physical AI and robotics sector at the group level.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-16 08:44:00
  • Hanwha Solutions Sells U.S. Venture Fund for 125.5 Billion Won
    Hanwha Solutions Sells U.S. Venture Fund for 125.5 Billion Won Hanwha Solutions has secured approximately 125.5 billion won by selling a U.S. venture investment fund. This move aims to supplement funds needed for debt repayment following a reduction in the scale of a capital increase.On July 16, Hanwha Solutions announced the sale of the venture fund, which invests in innovative U.S. companies, for $84.3 million, equivalent to about 125.5 billion won.The proceeds from the sale will be used to replenish funds reduced by the smaller capital increase and to improve the company's financial structure. Previously, Hanwha Solutions raised 300 billion won by issuing redeemable convertible preferred shares (RCPS).Since 2022, Hanwha Solutions has invested in this fund through its subsidiaries to monitor technological trends in energy transition, circular economy, and carbon utilization in the U.S., while seeking collaboration opportunities with related companies.Initially, the company excluded the fund from the sale due to its long-term investment nature. However, the need for additional funding arose with the reduction in the capital increase, prompting the decision to sell. The company stated that the impact of the fund's disposal on medium- to long-term business profitability would be limited.Hanwha Solutions also plans to pursue the liquidation of investment assets worth 300 billion won, as indicated during the capital increase correction process.Credit rating agencies have maintained Hanwha Solutions' credit rating and outlook at their current levels. Korea Ratings assigned an 'AA-(Negative)' rating, while NICE Investors Service also rated it 'AA-(Negative)'.The agencies reflected the potential for recovery in the renewable energy sector alongside the financial structure improvement measures, including the capital increase and asset sales.Korea Ratings highlighted factors contributing to performance recovery, such as improvements in production systems due to the operation of the solar plant in Cartersville, Georgia, and the market position of the residential energy business, as well as the expansion of long-term contracts in engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC).Lee Jae-bin, Chief Financial Officer of Hanwha Solutions, stated, "Once the capital increase is completed, we plan to proceed with our investment and financial structure improvement plans. We will leverage the vertical integration of our U.S. solar business to enhance performance in the renewable energy sector."Meanwhile, last month, Hanwha Solutions issued 300 billion won in redeemable convertible preferred shares (RCPS) through its U.S. EPC subsidiary to secure funds for the capital increase.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-16 08:44:00
  • KB Financial Group Establishes 100 Billion Won AX Digital Asset Fund
    KB Financial Group Establishes 100 Billion Won AX Digital Asset Fund KB Financial Group has created a dedicated fund to secure a leading position in future digital finance.On July 16, KB Financial announced the establishment of the 'KB AX Digital Asset Fund,' a strategic investment fund worth 100 billion won, aimed at advancing its digital asset business and accelerating AI transformation (AX).Participating as limited partners (LPs) are KB Kookmin Bank, KB Securities, KB Insurance, KB Kookmin Card, and KB Life Insurance, while KB Investment will manage the fund as the general partner (GP).The fund plans to proactively invest in key companies in the early stages of the domestic digital asset market, fostering a KB-centered digital asset ecosystem. It will also invest in promising technology firms in AI models, application services, data inference, and analysis.This fund focuses on identifying companies that can be linked to the group's digital strategy, going beyond mere financial investment to connect them with real business opportunities. The goal is to establish a virtuous cycle of 'investment-business linkage-cooperative growth,' enhancing KB Financial's future digital competitiveness while promoting the sustainable growth of the invested companies.A KB Financial representative stated, "This strategic investment aims to proactively discover companies aligned with the group's future strategies in digital assets and AI, connecting them to new growth opportunities, and we will work together to build a digital financial ecosystem with our investment partners."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-16 08:40:00
  • VC Firms Compete for 100 Billion Won Policy Fund
    VC Firms Compete for 100 Billion Won Policy Fund ◆Aju Economic Major News▷Six firms shortlisted for management of 1.05 trillion won VC fund- The Korea Development Bank's Southeast Investment Finance Center is nearing the selection of general partners (GP) for the '2026 Southern Region Growth Support Fund,' with six firms including Daedeok Venture Partners, Reinvestment, MW&Company, Wonik Investment Partners, E&Investment, and Coolidge Corner Investment making the shortlist.- The bank plans to select three of these firms to establish a total of 1.05 trillion won in VC funds, aimed at investing in small and venture businesses in the southern region and revitalizing the local venture ecosystem.- The evaluation will focus on the ability to enhance the value of invested companies and support their growth, rather than just past return rates.- The candidate firms are competing by highlighting their strengths, such as regional networks, connections with large corporations, and support for early-stage startups through TIPS.- E&Investment is considered a strong candidate due to its high matching fund acquisition rate and excellent recovery performance, which could enable early fund establishment and swift investment execution if selected.◆Major Reports▷Increased Securities Issuance by Credit Heavyweights - The government plans to finalize a restructuring plan for power generation public enterprises, including the integration of five thermal power subsidiaries under Korea Electric Power Corporation, by the end of the year, aiming for a transition to renewable energy and a stable power supply system.- Even with the integration of the five subsidiaries, it is expected that their existing corporate bond status will be maintained, limiting the impact on the bond market.- The government is also considering a dual structure plan to separate the land and housing development functions from the debt and rental housing asset management functions of the Korea Land and Housing Corporation (LH), with specific reform proposals expected after the new president's inauguration.- Recently, SK Hynix has begun purchasing high-quality credit bonds, including corporate bonds, bank bonds, and company bonds, raising expectations for improved supply and demand in the credit bond market.- The market believes that SK Hynix's purchases of high-quality credit bonds will help alleviate the worsened supply and demand in the credit bond market due to capital movement and redemptions in the stock market.◆Major Announcements After Market Close (15th)▷Kangstem Biotech introduces '3D Skin Assembloid' technology from Seoul National University▷Speco changes its largest shareholder to Nexa Korea, acquiring a 33.55% stake▷LS Electric provides employee stock compensation, distributing 6.1 billion won in treasury shares▷SI Resources suspends the effectiveness of temporary general meeting resolutions, halting the duties of the representative and outside directors▷NP appoints Jo Jae-deok as the new CEO following the merger with WYS Studio◆Fund Trends (as of 14th, excluding ETFs)▷Domestic equity: +13.5 billion won▷Overseas equity: +1 billion won◆Key Schedule for Today (16th)▷UK: Import and Export Trends (May), Industrial Production (May)▷Eurozone: Import and Export Trends (May)▷US: Retail Sales (June), Philadelphia Fed Index (July), Housing Market Index (July)* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-16 08:40:00
  • SK Intellixs NAMUHX Wins Two Red Dot Design Awards
    SK Intellix's NAMUHX Wins Two Red Dot Design Awards SK Intellix's AI wellness robot NAMUHX has won a prestigious award in the brand and communication design category at the 2026 Red Dot Design Awards, one of the world's top three design competitions.On July 16, SK Intellix announced that NAMUHX received this award following its earlier recognition in April for product design, highlighting the company's design competitiveness.The Red Dot Design Awards are considered alongside Germany's iF Design Awards and the American IDEA Awards as the leading design accolades globally. They evaluate product design, brand, and design concepts based on innovation, functionality, and aesthetics.This latest award acknowledges SK Intellix's design strength not only in product design but also across brand identity, packaging, advertising, and digital content.NAMUHX is a robot that offers personalized wellness experiences based on AI and robotics technology, receiving high marks for integrating product usability with brand experience.Industry experts note that as AI capabilities become central to product competitiveness, there is a growing trend to differentiate not only hardware performance but also user experience and brand design.With this award, SK Intellix plans to strengthen its wellness platform business based on AI and robotics and accelerate its efforts to penetrate global markets.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-16 08:40:00