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Choi Hee-dae's Decision on Supreme Court Nominee Delayed Again Choi Hee-dae, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, is facing delays in deciding on the nomination of a Supreme Court justice. Despite repeated calls from the Blue House for a swift nomination process due to the prolonged vacancy, it appears that a conclusion may not be reached this week.According to legal sources on the 14th, Chief Justice Choi has been deliberating since the Blue House requested the nomination of Song Bong-ki, a senior judge at the Daegu District Court, as the successor to former Justice Noh Tae-ack on August 28.On August 18, Choi nominated Song from a list of four candidates recommended by the Supreme Court Justice Candidate Recommendation Committee to succeed Noh. However, ten days later, the Blue House requested a re-nomination, stating that the initial nomination was a "unilateral written recommendation without substantial consultation." Choi had previously told reporters on his way home that he would make an official statement the following week, but the announcement was postponed due to a family bereavement, and he has remained silent since then. On his first day back to work after the Blue House's renewed calls for a swift re-nomination, he did not provide any further comments.On September 11, the Blue House stated, "We hope the Chief Justice will respect the recommendations of the committee and proceed with the re-nomination process as quickly as possible to ensure that the public's right to a fair trial is not compromised due to the long vacancy of Supreme Court justices." This comes as the vacancies of two justices have persisted for a week since the retirement of former Justice Lee Heung-gu on September 7, following Noh's departure in March.Chief Justice Choi has the option to either nominate another candidate from the existing list of four or to reconstitute the recommendation committee to restart the nomination process. There is a prevailing belief within the judiciary and legal circles that a new committee may be formed, as the current law requires the Chief Justice to establish a committee for each nomination.However, either choice carries significant implications. Nominating another candidate from the existing list could effectively limit the Chief Justice's authority to nominate, while forming a new committee could heighten tensions with the Blue House. Analysts suggest that Choi's ongoing deliberation, which includes reviewing constitutional and legal considerations and consulting external experts, is influenced by these pressures.This week's schedule also complicates the timing of a decision. A confirmation hearing for Kim Sung-soo, the nominee to succeed Lee, is set for today, and the 20th Asia-Pacific Chief Justices' Conference will take place in Seoul from September 16 to 19. As this is the third time Korea has hosted this international event, there is added pressure to avoid making politically charged statements during the conference.As a result, there is speculation that Chief Justice Choi may delay his decision until after the Asia-Pacific Chief Justices' Conference concludes.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-14 14:00:00 -
SHD Shares Plummet Below 10 Billion Won Amid Delisting Concerns Shinhwa Dynamics (SHD) is experiencing a significant decline as concerns grow over its potential delisting due to failing to meet market capitalization requirements. As of 1:48 PM on September 14, SHD's shares were trading at 7,990 won, down 13.62%. The stock has fallen for six consecutive trading days since September 7, dropping 45.2% from 14,590 won. Its market capitalization has also fallen to approximately 9.7 billion won, dipping below the 10 billion won threshold. On September 8, the Korea Exchange warned SHD about the risk of delisting due to its insufficient market capitalization. The company was designated as a management issue on June 26 after failing to meet the market capitalization criteria for 30 consecutive days. According to the exchange, to avoid delisting, SHD must maintain a market capitalization above the threshold for at least 10 days within a 90-day period following its designation. However, as of September 8, SHD had not recorded a single day above the required amount since being designated, despite 50 days having passed. Notably, the market capitalization threshold for the KOSPI market was raised from 20 billion won to 30 billion won on July 1. The exchange indicated that if SHD's market capitalization remains below the threshold for 61 days, it will initiate delisting procedures due to the inability to meet the criteria for more than 30 days.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-14 13:56:20
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SHD Shares Plummet Below 10 Billion Won Amid Delisting Concerns Shinhwa Dynamics (SHD) is experiencing a significant decline as concerns grow over its potential delisting due to failing to meet market capitalization requirements. As of 1:48 PM on September 14, SHD shares were trading at 7,990 won, down 13.62%. The stock has fallen for six consecutive trading days since September 7, dropping 45.2% from 14,590 won to its current price. Its market capitalization has also fallen to approximately 9.7 billion won, dipping below the 10 billion won threshold. On September 8, the Korea Exchange warned SHD about the risk of delisting due to its insufficient market capitalization. The company was designated as a management issue on June 26 after failing to meet the market capitalization criteria for 30 consecutive days. According to the exchange, to avoid delisting, SHD must maintain a market capitalization above the threshold for at least 10 days during the 90 days following its designation. However, as of September 8, SHD had not recorded a day above the threshold since being designated a management issue 50 days prior. Notably, the market capitalization threshold for the KOSPI market was raised from 20 billion won to 30 billion won on July 1. The exchange indicated that if SHD's market capitalization remains below the threshold for 61 days, it will initiate delisting procedures due to the inability to meet the criteria for 30 days or more.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-14 13:56:10
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Com2us Platform Hosts 'Hive Tech Summit 2026,' Unveils AI-Specialized 'Hive Axyl' Com2us Platform held its first offline technology seminar, the 'Hive Tech Summit,' sharing expertise in game development and operations. The summit featured the unveiling of 'Hive Axyl,' a next-generation backend platform specialized in AI game development. This platform aims to enhance development efficiency by reducing backend setup and operational burdens through natural language processing, while also strengthening support for global services by game companies.Com2us Holdings' subsidiary, Com2us Platform, announced on the 14th that it successfully concluded the 'Hive Tech Summit 2026' on September 10 at the Jam Lounge in Gangnam, Seoul.The event was designed to share technical knowledge and practical know-how in game development and service operations with industry professionals. Key representatives from major gaming companies attended, with Tencent Cloud, Exola, and Airbridge serving as sponsors.During the summit, presentations covered a range of topics, including AI-based task automation, game security, Hive Remote Play, and data analytics, addressing various aspects of game development and operations. Com2us Platform and its partners showcased real-world applications and strategies for leveraging technology to drive innovation in the gaming industry.Notably, Com2us Platform introduced 'Hive Axyl,' an AI-specialized next-generation backend platform set to launch on the 30th. Hive Axyl is characterized by its ability to quickly integrate complex backend settings and functions through natural language prompts, significantly reducing the burden of backend infrastructure setup and management, allowing developers to focus solely on game content creation.The Hive Platform offers a unified SDK and management page that integrates essential functions for game development and operations, including authentication, billing, analytics, web stores, and security. It has been implemented in over 250 games to date.Hive Axyl was previewed at the 'OpenAI Game Builders Seoul' event at the end of August. Developers can easily apply essential features such as authentication, payment, inbox, and push notifications using the SDK, while managing user analytics and settings through a console interface. It will be available in SDK and console formats on the official website.Choi Seok-won, CEO of Com2us Platform, stated, “The Hive Tech Summit was organized to share the challenges faced in game development and service operations and to seek solutions together. Com2us Platform will continue to support game developers' successful global services with next-generation technologies, including Hive Axyl.”* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-14 13:56:00
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NH Bank Donates 5,100 Bags of Rice to Support Low-Income Families Ahead of Chuseok Minjok's largest holiday, Chuseok, is approaching, and rice donations for vulnerable groups in Seongnam are ongoing. On September 14, NH Nonghyup Bank's Seongnam branch donated 5,000 bags of new rice to the city, while a local volunteer organization contributed an additional 100 bags to support neighbors in need. According to NH Nonghyup Bank's Seongnam branch, the donation consists of 5,000 bags of 10 kg new rice, valued at approximately 210 million won, based on a price of 42,000 won per bag. The city held the 'NH Nonghyup Love's Gyeonggi Rice Donation Event' in the city hall plaza that morning. Attendees included Seongnam Mayor Shin Sang-jin, NH Nonghyup Bank Seongnam branch head Yang Heung-sik, Pangyo Naksaeng Agricultural Cooperative Chairman Jeong Jae-young, and Gyeonggi Community Chest Secretary General Kim Hyo-jin. The donated rice will be distributed across 50 districts in Seongnam. Each district will provide one bag to households in need, including those receiving basic living assistance and low-income families. This initiative aims not only to support essential needs but also to promote rice consumption and reflect on the value of local agriculture and rural communities. It is part of the 'Nongsim Cheonsim Movement' promoted by NH Nonghyup, which aims to create a sharing platform involving producers, consumers, and the local community. In the afternoon, the local volunteer organization 'Hope Light' also donated 100 bags of rice valued at 4 million won to Seongnam. In total, 5,100 bags of rice were delivered in one day. This support is expected to provide practical help to neighbors facing economic difficulties ahead of Chuseok. Notably, the direct distribution of this donation to households in need across 50 districts in Seongnam adds significance to the effort. As public and private cooperation continues to look out for neighbors, it is expected to alleviate the burdens of vulnerable groups ahead of the holiday. Citizens have expressed positive feedback, noting that the provision of essential goods before the holiday can lead to tangible assistance. Rice, being a staple food with high utility in households, is seen as a more impactful form of support compared to one-time donations. Meanwhile, Mayor Shin Sang-jin stated, “I thank the NH Nonghyup officials for coming together to support our neighbors in need ahead of Chuseok,” adding, “We will strengthen public-private cooperation to ensure that necessary sharing in the community continues.”* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-14 13:56:00
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Samsung Heavy Industries Secures $1.6 Billion Contract for Six Vessels Samsung Heavy Industries has secured contracts for six vessels worth a total of 1.6476 trillion won ($1.2 billion).According to industry sources on September 14, Samsung Heavy Industries signed contracts with a shipowner in the Oceania region for four large liquefied natural gas (LNG) carriers at $1 billion, and two oil tankers for $200 million, bringing the total to six vessels valued at $1.2 billion.Clarkson Research, a UK-based maritime market analysis firm, reported that global new ship orders in the first half of this year increased by 66% compared to the same period last year, measured in compensated gross tonnage (CGT). This surge is attributed to efforts to diversify supply chains for stable energy procurement and geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.In this context, Samsung Heavy Industries is increasing its orders in the LNG carrier market, having secured a total of 18 vessels this year. Notably, the four large LNG carriers ordered this time are 200,000 cubic meters in capacity, larger than the standard model of 174,000 cubic meters, which allows for fewer voyages while maintaining the same cargo volume, thereby enhancing operational efficiency per transport unit.A Samsung Heavy Industries official stated, "This order for large LNG carriers is a proactive response to the shipowner's long-distance transport needs. We will continue to focus on selective orders that meet customer needs and convenience while prioritizing profitability."In the commercial ship sector, Samsung Heavy Industries has secured $7.3 billion in orders this year, exceeding its annual target of $5.7 billion by 28%. This includes 18 LNG carriers among a total of 42 vessels ordered. In the offshore sector, the company has secured two floating LNG (FLNG) units worth $4.4 billion. The combined order performance for shipbuilding and offshore projects stands at $11.7 billion, achieving 84% of its annual target of $13.9 billion.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-14 13:44:00
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BH Sees 7% Surge Amid Expectations for Apple Foldable Phone Benefits BH is experiencing a surge of over 7% due to expectations of benefits from the expansion of the market following the unveiling of Apple's first foldable phone. Analysts predict that new revenues from foldable phones and robotics will begin to materialize next year.As of 1:23 PM on the Korea Exchange, BH shares were trading at 20,400 won, up 1,380 won (7.26%) from the previous trading day.On September 9, Apple introduced its first foldable iPhone, the 'iPhone Duo.' With Apple entering the foldable product market for the first time since the launch of the original iPhone in 2007, expectations are growing for accelerated growth in the global foldable phone market.BH manufactures flexible printed circuit boards (FPCBs) for organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs). The company counts Samsung Electronics and Apple among its major customers in the foldable phone manufacturing sector, positioning it to benefit from the market's expansion.Park Kang-ho, an analyst at Daishin Securities, noted that BH has secured two new growth pillars in robotics and foldable phones by 2027. He maintained a 'buy' rating and a target price of 41,000 won.Daishin Securities estimates that BH has recently been selected as a new supplier for a major U.S. humanoid robotics company. Park stated, 'Following the supply of Atlas to Boston Dynamics, we expect to secure three large robot companies as customers for charging modules at Global Ross. Consequently, revenues from robotics and humanoids are expected to begin in earnest from 2027, with related sales estimated at about 35 billion won.'The foldable phone market is also expected to continue its growth. He added, 'As Apple and Samsung expand their foldable phone sales, BH is likely to benefit. Samsung's foldable phone models are expected to increase from three to five by 2027, suggesting potential for revenue growth and a reevaluation of BH's stock price.'* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-14 13:40:00
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G-CON 2026: Exploring the Role of Creators in the Age of AI As artificial intelligence (AI) takes on a more prominent role in content creation, a forum will be held to discuss the role of human creators and the direction of narratives in gaming. This year's 'G-CON 2026' will focus on how narratives are crafted in games and how they engage players.On September 14, the G-Star Organizing Committee unveiled the second lineup of speakers and detailed session information for 'G-CON 2026.' The main themes for this year's event are 'narrative' and 'AI.' The committee emphasized that as AI increasingly leads content creation, the importance of deep narratives that resonate with players grows.The event will feature creators from various fields, including gaming, film, drama, and webtoons, who will explore the narrative elements that AI-driven game content should possess. Kim Hyung-tae, CEO of Shift Up, and Shinji Mikami, CEO of Unbound, will engage in discussions about their creative philosophies and approaches to game expression.Different perspectives on how to construct narratives in games will also be addressed. The 'The Witcher' session will examine how player choices can alter the meaning and outcomes of a story, while the 'Team Ninja' session will introduce how player actions, such as combat and failure, can shape the narrative itself.The role of creators, which is difficult to replace solely with technology in the age of AI, will be a key topic. Film directors Jang Hang-jun and Lee Byung-hun will discuss how the nuances of human language, rhythm, and context can be integrated into games in an environment where AI generates text and responses.Additionally, various elements that contribute to the unique narratives of games, such as character relationships, music, systems, and visual direction, will be explored. The focus will be on how games can convey stories differently from films or webtoons, particularly since players actively choose and act within the game.G-CON 2026 will take place from November 19 to 20 at BEXCO Convention Hall, third floor, in Busan. The AI story creation platform 'Crack' will serve as the main sponsor, and additional sessions and lecture schedules will be announced in September.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-14 13:28:00
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U.S. Ambassador Michelle Steel Meets with Deputy Minister Kim Jin-ah to Discuss Joint Fact Sheet Implementation U.S. Ambassador to South Korea Michelle Steel reported on September 14 that she had a meaningful discussion with Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Kim Jin-ah regarding the implementation of agreements outlined in the joint fact sheet from the U.S.-South Korea summit.Steel shared this update on X (formerly Twitter). The discussions likely covered topics such as U.S. investment, the construction of nuclear-powered submarines, and the enrichment and reprocessing of nuclear fuel, all of which were included in the joint fact sheet released in November following the summit in Gyeongju last October. The imminent arrival of South Korea's first major investment in the U.S. is also believed to have influenced these discussions. South Korea has committed to a total of $350 billion in investments in the U.S., including $150 billion in shipbuilding cooperation and $200 billion in strategic investments.Deputy Minister Kim also posted on X on September 11, stating, "I had the pleasure of meeting Ambassador Steel for the first time." He expressed confidence that Steel would effectively serve as a bridge for close communication and cooperation between the two countries, given her extensive experience, network, and genuine understanding of South Korean society. He added, "I look forward to continuing our conversations with Ambassador Steel in the future."Prior to her meeting with Kim, Steel also met with Foreign Minister Park Jin, First Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Park Yun-ju, and Jeong Yeon-du, head of the Foreign Strategy and Information Bureau (Vice Minister level). Additionally, she has held discussions with Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Lee Chang-yang and Minister of National Defense An Gyeong-baek. 2026-09-14 13:28:00
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KOSPI Drops Over 3% Before Recovering Slightly Amid Heavy Selling The KOSPI index is experiencing a decline of over 2% due to significant selling by foreign and institutional investors. Although the initial drop exceeded 3%, it has since moderated as these investors sold more than 4 trillion won worth of shares, applying downward pressure on the index. The KOSDAQ is also showing weakness ahead of the September Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting, amid ongoing concerns about potential interest rate hikes.As of 1:04 PM, the KOSPI is down 170.96 points (2.47%) at 6,738.95, according to the Korea Exchange.The index opened at 6,692.61, down 217.30 points (3.14%) from the previous close, but has since reduced its losses, trading around the 6,700 mark after briefly dipping below 6,600.In the securities market, individual investors have made net purchases of 3.1315 trillion won, while foreign and institutional investors have sold a combined total of 4.134 trillion won, with foreign investors selling 3.0502 trillion won and institutions 1.0838 trillion won. This indicates that individual investors are absorbing the selling pressure from foreign and institutional players.Most of the top market capitalization stocks are declining, including Samsung Electronics (-2.89%), SK Hynix (-5.30%), SK Square (-6.34%), Samsung Electro-Mechanics (-4.64%), LG Energy Solution (-1.53%), Hyundai Motor (-3.01%), and Samsung Life Insurance (-2.52%). However, some stocks like Samsung Biologics (0.92%), KB Financial (1.01%), and Hanwha Aerospace (4.72%) are showing gains.At the same time, the KOSDAQ index is trading at 813.48, down 7.16 points (0.87%) from the previous day.In the KOSDAQ market, individual investors have made net purchases of 161.2 billion won, while foreign and institutional investors have sold 115.8 billion won and 41.5 billion won, respectively.Among the top KOSDAQ stocks, Alteogen (-2.80%), EcoPro (-3.79%), EcoPro BM (-4.81%), Rainbow Robotics (-1.95%), IOTech (-3.82%), Rino Technology (-0.90%), and Simtech (-2.52%) are all declining, while JUSUNG Engineering (0.48%), Wonik IPS (2.45%), and Roboteam (0.46%) are rising.Market analysts predict that this week’s domestic stock market will continue to experience volatility influenced by the August Consumer Price Index (CPI) results, the potential for interest rate hikes at the September FOMC meeting, the Bank of Japan's policy meeting, international oil prices, and foreign capital flows.Han Ji-young, a researcher at Kiwoom Securities, stated, "We expect the KOSPI to range between 6,600 and 7,200 points this week. It is crucial to determine whether the interest rate hike at the September FOMC will be a one-time preemptive measure to curb inflation or the start of an additional tightening cycle."She added, "The key players determining the market direction will be foreign investors, and their resumption of net buying during the September FOMC event will be essential for stabilizing the index above 7,000 points. Despite macro uncertainties, the semiconductor sector, driven by sustained demand for AI and a positive outlook for memory chips, is showing resilience, indicating a pattern of strength following weakness in the KOSPI."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-14 13:16:00