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Hyundai Motor Group Launches Second Round of HINT Program for Future Mobility Talent 현대자동차그룹이 미래 모빌리티 산업 현장을 통해 청년 인재를 육성한다. 현대차그룹은 14일 직무역량 강화 교육 프로그램 ‘HINT’ 2기 참가자를 모집한다고 밝혔다. HINT는 고용노동부와 산업통상부가 국내 기업과 추진하는 청년 직업훈련 사업 ‘K-뉴딜 아카데미’의 일환이다. 미래 모빌리티 산업 현장 체험과 기술 경험 기회를 제공해 청년의 직무 역량 향상, 진로 설계를 돕는다. 만 15세 이상 만 34세 이하 미취업 청년 500명을 대상으로 진행되는 2기 프로그램은 △미래 모빌리티 개발 분야의 핵심 기술 역량을 강화하는 ‘모빌리티 AI’ △제조 현장의 디지털화와 AI 전환 관련 분야를 학습하는 ‘제조 지능화’ 등 2개 과정으로 구성한다. 이번 교육은 다음 달 말 현대차그룹 인재개발원 경주 캠퍼스에서 진행하는 2박 3일간의 합숙 교육을 시작으로 3개월간 권역별 교육장에서 진행하는 통학형 과정으로 운영한다. 서울, 대전, 청주, 광주, 대구, 울산, 부산 등 전국 7개 도시에 교육장을 마련하고, 전체 교육의 약 90%를 비수도권 지역에서 한다. 현대차그룹 관계자는 “현대차그룹만의 모빌리티 분야 전문성과 현장 교육 노하우를 담은 차별화한 교육 과정”이라며 “앞으로도 청년이 산업 현장에서 요구되는 실무 역량을 갖춘 미래 인재로 성장할 수 있도록 다양한 지원을 아끼지 않을 것”이라고 말했다. 한편 현대차그룹은 청년 대상 실무형 인재 육성 프로그램을 확대하고 있다* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-14 09:20:00 -
SC First Bank Offers Special Interest Rate for 'Hi Account' Customers SC First Bank announced on September 14 that it will offer a special interest rate event for new customers who sign up for its flexible deposit product, the 'SC First Hi Account,' until December 31.During this event, customers will receive a special interest rate of 3.4 percentage points, regardless of their deposit balance. By applying the base rate and various preferential rates, customers can earn up to 4.0% annually.The special interest rate will be effective until January 31, 2027, regardless of the sign-up date. Therefore, the earlier a customer signs up, the longer they can benefit from the special rate. For those who sign up on September 14, the special rate will apply for approximately four months.Eligible customers include new clients who have registered their information with SC First Bank within the last 31 days, as well as existing customers who have not held any Korean won or foreign currency deposit or savings accounts with the bank in the past year.The base interest rate for the Hi Account is 0.1% per year. During the event period, first-time customers will receive a special interest rate of 3.4 percentage points, regardless of their balance. Customers who sign up through mobile banking or at a branch will receive an additional 0.1 percentage points for new preferential rates through partner channels, 0.2 percentage points for agreeing to marketing, and 0.2 percentage points for priority customers.The Hi Account allows for flexible deposits and withdrawals, and it also offers fee waivers for internet and mobile banking transfers, as well as ATM withdrawal fees.Jung Jae-won, head of the collateral loan and deposit product division at SC First Bank, stated, “We hope this event allows more customers to experience the benefits of the Hi Account. We will continue to provide various products and benefits that meet our customers' financial needs.”* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-14 09:20:00
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Kim Beom-ryong Reveals He Was Unknowingly Registered as Married Singer Kim Beom-ryong shared the story of how he became an unwitting married man. During an appearance on the MBN talk show 'Sokpuri Show Dongchimi' on September 12, Kim revealed, "I found out I was registered as a married man after checking my family registry. A fan who visited me frequently was so excited that she filed a marriage registration on her own." He added, "At the time of the actual marriage, my wife was listed as my second wife on paper. Afterward, I went through a trial and received a ruling declaring the marriage invalid, and I completely erased the past record." Kim Beom-ryong debuted in 1985 with the hit song 'Baram Baram Baram' and has since released popular tracks such as 'Cafe and Woman' and 'Winter Rain Falls.'* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-14 09:20:00
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Korea Exchange Launches Aftermarket for Extended Stock Trading Hours The Korea Exchange has launched an aftermarket that allows real-time stock trading from the close of regular trading until 8 p.m., starting September 14. This marks the first expansion of trading hours in a decade, following a 30-minute delay in the regular trading close in 2016. The exchange's entry into the nighttime trading market, previously dominated by the alternative exchange NextTrade (NXT), has established a competitive aftermarket system.The most significant aspect of this move is the noticeable increase in options available to investors. Previously, investors had to wait until the next day to react to major disclosures or sudden changes in overseas markets after the regular trading session. Now, they can respond in real-time after work.The number of tradable stocks has expanded to around 2,700, covering most KOSPI and KOSDAQ listed stocks, excluding those under trading warnings or in special trading arrangements. This is a substantial increase compared to NXT, which has been limited to handling about 600 stocks per quarter due to capital market regulations. With the addition of NXT, investors can now compare fees and execution possibilities in the same time frame, allowing them to choose the market that best suits their needs. The Securities Order Routing (SOR) system of brokerage firms supports this development, making the aftermarket launch a significant step in enhancing the competitive structure of the domestic stock market and benefiting investors.However, the increased options also bring potential confusion that must be carefully addressed. One major concern is that the aftermarket operates during hours when trading is typically less active. In a low liquidity environment, a small number of orders can lead to abnormal price spikes or erroneous trades at prices far removed from actual value. While the exchange has applied the same price limits and volatility control measures as in regular trading, it remains to be seen whether these safeguards can adequately address the unique liquidity issues of nighttime trading. Particularly, with low participation from institutional investors, a surge in individual investor orders could distort prices, potentially impacting the opening prices of the next day's regular session.The simultaneous operation of the exchange and NXT during the same hours introduces another variable. If there are slight differences in trading rules or execution methods between the two markets, investors may place orders without fully understanding these differences, leading to unexpected outcomes. It is crucial to ensure that investors are adequately informed about specific rules, such as the fact that the aftermarket closing price is not recognized as the official closing price and that only limit orders are allowed, while market orders are not permitted. Even the best-designed systems can lead to confusion if users are not aware of these distinctions.Prior to the launch, the exchange conducted a 23-week simulation market to test the system. However, real trading can differ significantly from simulations. In a market where actual funds are exchanged, unexpected trading anomalies or system errors can occur at any time. The exchange and financial authorities must closely monitor the initial trading data of the aftermarket to ensure there are no abnormal quotes or erroneous trades and that price discrepancies between the two markets do not widen excessively. While expanding investor options is a welcome advancement, maintaining the trust of the market and investors is of utmost importance. 2026-09-14 09:16:00
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AWS Report: South Korean Companies Enter Next Phase of AI Adoption The adoption rate of artificial intelligence (AI) among South Korean companies has risen to 58%, indicating a rapid expansion in AI utilization. Companies identified the establishment of a robust foundation in talent, data, infrastructure, and governance as key challenges for broadening AI use across their organizations.According to Amazon Web Services (AWS), a study conducted by the research firm Strand Partners, titled 'Realizing Korea's AI Potential 2026,' found that the AI adoption rate among domestic companies increased by 10 percentage points from 48% a year ago. The survey included 1,000 business leaders and 1,000 general citizens.Over the past year, approximately 624,000 companies have newly adopted AI, averaging more than one company per minute. Among those that have implemented AI, 81% reported improved productivity, saving an average of 14 hours per week. Nearly 60% of these companies also reported increased revenue. Furthermore, 84% of adopting companies anticipate increasing their AI usage within the next 12 months.Ham Gi-ho, CEO of AWS Korea, stated, "South Korean companies have built significant momentum in AI, with many already achieving tangible results in productivity and growth. The critical question now is not whether to adopt AI, but how to expand it across the entire business landscape."He added, "As AI technology becomes increasingly sophisticated, organizations with a solid foundation in data, capabilities, governance, and technology will be best positioned to convert successful AI use cases into ongoing business value."The percentage of companies remaining at a basic stage of AI adoption decreased from 70% to 54%, while those reaching the most advanced stage increased from 11% to 26%. The adoption rates for ICT and manufacturing sectors were 41% and 35%, respectively, while startups, small and medium-sized enterprises, and large corporations reported rates of 35%, 25%, and 9%, respectively.Sixty-seven percent of organizations identified AI adoption as a top or important strategic priority. However, only 27% had a formal and comprehensive AI strategy, and 47% reported lacking reliable methods to measure AI return on investment (ROI). Companies with an AI strategy or plans identified key factors for AI expansion as securing skilled AI talent (48%), data governance and security (44%), and reliable cloud and digital infrastructure (39%).Six percent of companies fully implemented physical AI, 22% were in pilot testing, and 39% planned to adopt it. However, only 24% felt adequately or very well prepared to adopt next-generation AI. Major obstacles included a lack of AI and digital capabilities (46%) and barriers related to technology and data (38%).Seventy-eight percent of companies expect demand for AI-related capabilities to increase over the next three years, and 76% believe ongoing training and reskilling are essential for maintaining competitiveness. Additionally, 74% indicated that a stable power supply is crucial for long-term AI investment decisions, while 48% cited public-private collaboration as a key factor in enhancing South Korea's AI infrastructure capabilities.Sixty-four percent of companies reported being fully or largely aware of South Korea's AI Basic Act, but only 22% felt fully prepared to comply with its regulations.The study suggested that to expand AI utilization, companies should establish clear business objectives and measurement frameworks, strengthen cloud, data, and governance foundations, and invest continuously in AI and digital capabilities. 2026-09-14 09:08:10
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Samsung, SK Hynix Stocks Plunge Amid AI Development Concerns 삼성전자와 SK하이닉스 등 국내 대표 반도체주가 14일 장 초반 급락하고 있다. 주말 사이 오픈AI와 앤스로픽 등 주요 인공지능(AI) 기업들의 모델 개발 속도 조절 논의가 부각되면서 최근 상승세를 이어온 AI·반도체주에 대한 경계심리가 커진 영향으로 풀이된다. 한국거래소에 따르면 이날 오전 9시 1분 기준 삼성전자는 전 거래일 대비 3.47% 내린 수준에서 거래되고 있다. SK하이닉스는 5.35% 급락했으며 삼성전자우도 3.98% 하락했다. SK하이닉스 지분가치에 민감한 SK스퀘어는 7.16% 떨어지며 낙폭이 더 컸다. 주말 사이 주요 AI 기업들의 모델 개발 속도 조절 논의가 국내외 AI·반도체주의 변동성을 키우는 요인으로 작용하는 모습이다. 최근 AI 관련주가 증시 상승을 주도하면서 밸류에이션 부담이 커진 상황에서 관련 우려가 차익실현 심리를 자극한 것으로 풀이된다. 한지영 키움증권 연구원은 “주말 사이 오픈AI와 앤스로픽 등 주요 AI 기업들의 모델 개발 속도 조절 이슈가 국내외 AI·반도체주의 변동성 요인으로 작용할 소지가 있다”면서도 “현재 논의는 AI 개발 중단보다 개발 속도와 안전성 검증을 조절하자는 성격이 강하기 때문에 이를 AI 투자 사이클 둔화로 해석하는 것은 지양할 필요가 있다”고 말했다. 한 연구원은 “핵심은 이 같은 논의가 하이퍼스케일러 업체들의 자본적지출(CAPEX) 가이던스 하향이나 메모리 수요 부진으로 연결될지 여부”라며 “이는 10월 말 3분기 실적 시즌에서 확인할 수 있는 만큼 현시점부터 AI주 비중 축소에 나서는 전략의 실효성은 낮을 전망”이라고 말했다.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-14 09:08:10
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Corporate Tax Revenue Expected to Exceed 216 Trillion Won Amid Semiconductor Boom Corporate tax revenue is projected to surpass 200 trillion won for the first time, driven by a boom in the semiconductor industry. This marks the first time in 15 years that corporate tax revenue will exceed income tax revenue.According to the Ministry of Economy and Finance's national tax revenue budget proposal released on September 14, next year's corporate tax revenue is expected to reach 216.7 trillion won, which is 36.7 trillion won more than the projected income tax revenue of 180 trillion won.This will be the first time since 2012 that corporate tax revenue has surpassed income tax. In 2012, income tax revenue was 45.8 trillion won, while corporate tax revenue was slightly higher at 45.9 trillion won.Since then, corporate tax revenue has fluctuated significantly based on economic conditions. From 2012 to 2015, it remained in the 40 trillion won range, increased to the 50 trillion won range in 2016 and 2017, and rose to the 70 trillion won range in 2018 and 2019. In 2020, it dropped to 55.5 trillion won but rebounded to 70.4 trillion won in 2021 and 103.6 trillion won in 2022.However, as the semiconductor market downturn began, corporate tax revenue fell to 80.4 trillion won in 2023 and is expected to drop further to 62.5 trillion won in 2024. This significant decline led to a large tax revenue shortfall.Since then, corporate tax revenue has shown signs of recovery, increasing from 84.6 trillion won in 2025 to an estimated 101.3 trillion won this year, with projections for next year reaching 216.7 trillion won. This will be the first time corporate tax revenue exceeds 200 trillion won.This surge is attributed to the continued strength of the semiconductor market, with major companies like Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix expected to see substantial increases in operating profits.In contrast, income tax revenue has shown a relatively stable growth trend. Due to rising prices, an increase in the workforce, and rising asset prices, income tax revenue steadily grew from the 40 trillion won range in 2012 and 2013 to surpass 100 trillion won in 2021. It is projected to reach 130.5 trillion won in 2025 and 136.8 trillion won this year, with an expected increase to 180 trillion won next year.Value-added tax revenue has dropped to third place in tax revenue rankings as corporate tax revenue rises again, with next year's value-added tax revenue projected at 91.4 trillion won.The concern is that the high dependence on the semiconductor industry could lead to volatility in tax revenue. Given that the South Korean economy is heavily reliant on semiconductor exports and growth, fluctuations in the semiconductor market can significantly impact corporate tax revenue.There are concerns that unexpected tax revenue shortfalls during economic downturns could disrupt budget execution or limit policy options. Conversely, if tax revenue exceeds expectations, how to utilize the surplus will also be a challenge for financial management.The government plans to use the newly established Future Response Fund as a financial stabilization mechanism.Lee Tae-seok, head of the Fiscal and Social Policy Research Department at the Korea Development Institute (KDI), stated at a forum on September 11, "While an unusual increase in tax revenue is expected due to the semiconductor boom, its sustainability is uncertain as it is heavily dependent on the semiconductor market. This increase in tax revenue exceeds both scale and uncertainty beyond typical levels, necessitating the exploration of new fiscal systems that align with changing financial conditions."He added, "The Future Response Fund can help protect planned investments over several years from the impact of tax revenue fluctuations and mitigate the risks of having to drastically cut spending or significantly increase bond issuance during crises."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-14 09:08:00
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Samsung and SK Hynix Reject KEPCO's 25 Trillion Won Prepayment Proposal Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix have decided not to accept Korea Electric Power Corporation's (KEPCO) proposal for a 25 trillion won prepayment for electricity. Despite a significant boost in performance due to the AI memory boom, the semiconductor companies believe that prepaying five years' worth of electricity fees would impose a heavy burden as they need to respond to future equipment investments and market changes.According to industry sources on September 14, both companies have communicated their stance after reviewing KEPCO's prepayment proposal.KEPCO's suggested amounts were 20 trillion won for Samsung and 5 trillion won for SK Hynix, based on the approximately 4.1 trillion won and 900 billion won in electricity fees paid by the two companies last year. KEPCO planned to use these funds primarily for building transmission and substation networks to supply power to the Yongin and Honam semiconductor clusters.Incentives were also offered to the companies. The prepayment would earn interest higher than that of two-year government bonds, which would be deducted from their electricity bills every six months. This structure aimed to enhance the timely establishment of the power network while providing interest income.However, semiconductor firms appear to view securing the power network and financial management as separate issues. Although the AI semiconductor boom continues, the memory industry is subject to significant market fluctuations, and both companies need to invest heavily in expanding domestic production facilities.SK Hynix anticipates its capital expenditures to reach the upper 40 trillion won range this year, with an additional investment of about 21.6 trillion won planned for its Yongin fab. The company has repeatedly emphasized the principle of considering both investment efficiency and financial soundness, which likely contributed to its difficulty in prepaying five years' worth of fixed costs all at once.With the failure of the prepayment proposal, the task of securing funding for the semiconductor cluster's power network now falls back to KEPCO and the government. KEPCO plans to invest 72.8 trillion won in transmission and substation networks by 2038 to meet the increasing power demand from semiconductors and AI data centers. However, as of the end of June this year, its debt stood at 210.7 trillion won, with daily interest payments amounting to approximately 11.5 billion won.The supply of electricity is directly linked to the domestic investment schedules of Samsung and SK Hynix. The Yongin semiconductor cluster is expected to require around 10 GW of large-scale power in the long term. The government has also established a basis for national support for infrastructure, including power networks, through the Semiconductor Special Act.Notably, last month, the government, along with Samsung, SK Hynix, and KEPCO, agreed to share the initial costs of power supply facilities for the Honam semiconductor cluster between the public and private sectors. This indicates that the semiconductor companies are not outright rejecting the sharing of power infrastructure costs. However, this decision marks a clear distinction from the proposal to prepay 25 trillion won in future operating costs for electricity.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-14 09:08:00
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North Korea conducts joint artillery firing drill, state media confirms SEOUL, September 14 (AJP) - North Korea has conducted a large-scale joint drill involving artillery and missile units, state media reported on Monday, days after Pyongyang launched multiple ballistic missiles toward the East Sea. The state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported that last Saturday's drill involved selected military units from five artillery and missile units and featured what it described as new combat systems including various attack drones, tactical cruise missiles, large-caliber thermobaric multiple rocket launchers and tactical ballistic missiles. North Korea claimed that all weapons involved in the "joint firepower attack drill of long-range artillery and missile units of the combined units" successfully struck their designated targets. With the release of a slew of photos, KCNA said the purpose of the drill was to ensure that the military "does what it is supposed to do," quoting Pak Jong-chon, a top-ranking official from the North's Workers' Party, who observed the exercise. North Korean leader Kim Jong-un did not attend the drill. Earlier, the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) here said it detected multiple ballistic missiles launched from Wonsan, Kangwon Province toward the East Sea at around 5:20 a.m. last Saturday. The JCS assessed that the launch involved short-range ballistic missiles believed to be from the Hwasong-11 series, as well as 600-millimeter multiple rocket launchers. It came just a day after South Korea concluded its annual trilateral "Freedom Edge" exercise with Japan and the U.S. The latest missile provocation marked the fourth such launch in about a month, following previous launches on Aug. 6, Aug. 12 and Aug. 20. AJP Takeaways - North Korea conducted a large-scale joint artillery and missile drill on Sept. 12, 2026, involving selected military units from five artillery and missile units and various weapons systems, including attack drones, tactical cruise missiles, thermobaric multiple rocket launchers and tactical ballistic missiles. - South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff detected multiple ballistic missile launches from Wonsan, Kangwon Province, at around 5:20 a.m. on Sept. 12, 2026. The launches were assessed to involve short-range ballistic missiles believed to be from the Hwasong-11 series and 600-millimeter multiple rocket launchers. - The Sept. 12, 2026, launches marked North Korea's fourth missile provocation in about a month, following launches on Aug. 6, Aug. 12 and Aug. 20, and came one day after South Korea concluded the annual trilateral "Freedom Edge" exercise with the United States and Japan. 2026-09-14 09:04:29 -
South Korea and Central Asia Hold First Multilateral Ministerial Meeting on Supply Chain Cooperation South Korea and five Central Asian countries held their first multilateral ministerial meeting to discuss cooperation in supply chains for critical minerals, including lithium and rare earth elements. The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy announced that the '1st Korea-Central Asia (C5+1) Ministerial Meeting' took place in Seoul on September 14.Minister Kim Jeong-kwan and the ministers from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan agreed to strengthen collaboration in three key areas: enhancing trade and industrial infrastructure, establishing a critical mineral supply chain, and fostering technology cooperation and future talent development.To begin, they plan to expand the participation of South Korean companies in the development of complex industrial parks, smart infrastructure, and plant modernization projects in Central Asia. The aim is to broaden cooperation beyond simple trade to enhance industrial foundations.In the critical minerals sector, they will combine Central Asia's mineral resources, such as lithium and rare earths, with South Korea's advanced processing and material technologies. This collaboration will encompass the entire supply chain, from mineral extraction and raw material imports to local processing and the production of high-value-added materials and finished products.Additionally, South Korea will support the smart transformation of local factories in Central Asia by leveraging its smart factory and manufacturing AI and data capabilities. This initiative aims to increase the presence of South Korean manufacturing equipment and technology in the region and promote exchanges among young technical talents.Minister Kim stated, "Let us pave the way for a new advanced industrial ecosystem that leads to greater leaps in Eurasia by leveraging South Korea's advanced technology and manufacturing capabilities alongside Central Asia's vast growth potential." He emphasized the hope that the ministerial meeting would serve as a platform for discovering and developing practical projects that benefit businesses and citizens in each country.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-14 09:00:20