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Large Corporations Paid 89.1 Trillion Won in Subcontracting Fees Last Year, Cash Payment Ratio Declines 지난해 하반기 공시대상기업집단(대기업집단)이 협력업체에 지급한 하도급대금이 89조1000억원으로 1년 전보다 소폭 감소했다. 현금결제 비율 역시 하락했다.공정거래위원회는 14일 이같은 내용을 담은 '2025년 하반기 하도급대금 결제조건 공시에 대한 이행점검' 결과를 발표했다. 공정거래법상 대기업집단 소속 회사로 원사업자에 해당하는 기업은 하도급대금 지급액과 수단, 관련 분쟁 조정기구 등을 반기별로 전자공시시스템(DART)에 공시해야 한다.지난해 하반기 92개 대기업집단 소속 1417개 사업자의 하도대금 지급금액은 89조1000억원으로 전년 동기(91조6000억원) 대비 2조5000억원 줄었다. 지난해 상반기(89조2000억원)보다도 1000억원 감소했다. 대기업집단별로는 현대자동차(11조2000억원)의 하급대금 지급이 가장 많았고 삼성(8조9500억원), HD현대(5조5800억원), 한화(5조3700억원), LG(4조7700억원) 등 순으로 집계됐다. 현금, 수표, 만기 1일 이하 어음대체결제수단 등 현금결제비율은 84.71%로 전년 동분기(86.19%)보다 하락했다. 만기 60일 이하 어음대체결제수단 및 상생결제까지 포함한 현금성 결제비율도 98.35%로 전년 동분기(98.58%)보다 떨어졌다. 한국지엠과 한진, BS, 네이버 등 전체 기업집단의 약 31%에 해당하는 29개 집단의 현금결제비율은 100%에 달했다. 반면 KG(24.51%), 하이트진로(26.37%), LS(34.36%), 두산(39.59%) 등은 현금 결제 비율이 낮았다.하도급대금을 15일 내에 지급한 비율은 66.82%, 30일 내에 지급한 비율은 86.41%다. 대부분 대금 지급이 법정 지급기간(60일)의 절반 이하 기간인 30일 내로 이뤄졌다는 평가다. 특히 유코카캐리어스(100%), 파라다이스(100%), LG(80.96%), HDC(78.78%), GS(73.93%), 호반건설(71.98%), 삼성(71.11%), DN(70.40%) 등 8개 집단은 10일 내 지급한 대금 비율이 70% 이상으로 파악됐다.반면 전체 하도급대금의 0.16%인 1389억원은 하도급법이 정한 지급 기간인 60일을 초과해 지급된 것으로 조사됐다. 60일을 초과해 대금을 지급한 비율이 높은 집단은 이랜드(14.02%), 대방건설(10.11%), SM(5.4%), 교보생명보험(2.94%), KG(2.51%) 순이다. 분쟁조정기구를 운영하는 공시대상 원사업자의 비율은 소폭 증가했다. 총 43개 집단 내 144개 사업자(10.2%)가 하도급대금 분쟁조정기구를 설치·운영해 전년 동기(129개 사업자, 9.3%)보다 늘었다. 집단별로 삼성이 15개로 가장 많고 현대자동차(12개), 아모레퍼시픽(11개), 현대백화점(9개) 순이다. 한편, 공정위는 공시기간 내에 하도급대금을 공시하지 않은 보이스루(카카오), 스튜디오원픽(카카오), 원폴(SK)등 3개 사업자에게 400만원의 과태료를 부과했다. 또 단순 누락·오기가 발견된 31개 사업자에 대해서는 정정 공시 명령을 내렸다. 공정위 관계자는 "이번 공시에서 60일을 초과해 지급한 하도급대금 금액이 많은 것으로 나타난 공시대상기업집단 소속회사를 중심으로 추가 점검 등 감시를 강화하겠다"고 밝혔다. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-14 12:08:00 -
Foreign Investors Continue Selling Korean Stocks for Six Months, Offloading $32.3 Billion in June Last month, foreign investors sold a record amount of stocks in the South Korean securities market, marking six consecutive months of net outflows from foreign stock investments.According to the Bank of Korea's report on financial and foreign exchange market trends released on July 14, foreign securities (stocks and bonds) recorded a net outflow of $30.72 billion in June. This indicates that the amount of foreign investment funds leaving the South Korean stock and bond markets exceeded the funds entering. The net outflow in June was the second largest on record, following March's figure of -$36.55 billion.Specifically, stock investments saw a net outflow of $32.37 billion. Following a record outflow in May, June also experienced significant capital flight. This trend is attributed to heightened caution among investors regarding global artificial intelligence (AI) investments, leading to a decline in investment sentiment and a rebalancing of portfolios due to rising stock prices.In contrast, bond investments saw a net inflow of $1.65 billion, supported by the maturity of government bonds and an increase in the weighting of the World Government Bond Index (WGBI).From the beginning of the year through June, the total net outflow reached $100.93 billion, with stock investments accounting for $110.21 billion of that amount.The won-dollar exchange rate rose significantly in June, reaching 1,549.4 won, influenced by foreign net selling of Korean stocks and uncertainties in the Middle East. The exchange rate fluctuated by 7.6 won, with a change rate of 0.50%.The credit default swap (CDS) premium for South Korean government bonds (based on five-year foreign exchange stabilization fund bonds) averaged 23 basis points last month, down 2 basis points from the previous month’s 25 basis points.This improvement is interpreted in light of the recent announcement of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the United States and Iran regarding a ceasefire.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-14 12:08:00
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New Emission Standards for Medium and Heavy-Duty Vehicles by 2030 To achieve its 2030 national greenhouse gas reduction target, the South Korean government is significantly tightening greenhouse gas and fuel efficiency standards for automobile manufacturers. Medium and heavy-duty commercial vehicles, previously subject to voluntary reductions, will now face mandatory regulations, while emissions standards for small cars will be raised to align with international benchmarks such as those set by the European Union.The Ministry of Climate, Energy, and Environment announced on July 14 that it will issue a 60-day administrative notice regarding amendments to the guidelines on average energy consumption efficiency and greenhouse gas standards for medium and heavy-duty vehicles, as well as the average energy consumption efficiency and allowable greenhouse gas emissions standards for automobiles.These amendments are in line with the national goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the transportation sector to 61 million tons by 2030, as mandated by the Basic Act on Carbon Neutrality and Green Growth. The regulations will apply to both domestic and imported vehicle manufacturers.Medium and heavy-duty vehicles, which have been operating under a voluntary reduction scheme, will be required to reduce emissions in three phases starting in 2027, based on vehicle classification. The first phase will begin next year with large freight trucks and tractors, followed by the second phase in 2028 for medium and heavy-duty buses, and the third phase in 2030 for medium-sized trucks and dump trucks. The goal is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 30% compared to the average emissions from 2021 to 2022.Starting next year, manufacturers that fail to meet the mandatory standards will face fines. However, to allow manufacturers time to prepare, initial fines will be set at a lower level, with plans to gradually increase them after full implementation in 2031. These fines will be included in amendments to the Enforcement Decree of the Air Quality Conservation Act.Incentives for the expansion of electric and hydrogen vehicles will also be strengthened. Additional benefits for sales of electric and hydrogen vehicles (super credits) will be extended, and new benefits for hydrogen internal combustion vehicles will be introduced.Standards for small cars will vary based on size. For passenger cars (up to 10 seats), the current standard of 70g/km will be reduced to 54g/km by 2030, while small trucks and buses with 11 to 15 seats will see a significant reduction from 146g/km to 98g/km.Measures will also be implemented to support manufacturers in meeting these standards. The classification of manufacturers will be refined from three tiers to four, adding a new category for medium-sized manufacturers. Additionally, indirect reduction methods, such as the use of renewable energy, will be piloted. The sunset clause for super credits for electric and hydrogen vehicles will be extended to 2029 to support the industry's transition to electrification.The Ministry of Climate will finalize the amendments after gathering feedback from industry, academia, and civil society during the administrative notice period, which ends on September 14.Kim Jin-sik, Director of the Air Quality Division at the Ministry of Climate, stated, "The greenhouse gas and fuel efficiency management system for automobiles is central to the decarbonization of the transportation sector. Through this revision, we will ensure that our automotive industry secures future competitiveness in the global market while responding to the climate crisis with effective communication and support."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-14 12:04:00
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224 Companies Participate in Labor Ministry's 4.5-Day Workweek Support Program, Exceeding Goals The 'Work-Life Balance 4.5 Project,' which supports companies reducing actual working hours without decreasing wages, has achieved its goal ahead of schedule in the first half of the year.As of the end of June, the Ministry of Employment and Labor reported that a total of 224 companies participated in the Work-Life Balance + 4.5 Project, surpassing the annual target of 220 companies. The achievement rate stands at 101.8%, with small businesses employing fewer than 50 workers making up 67.9% of the participants.The Work-Life Balance + 4.5 Project supports companies that operate a 4.5-day workweek or similar arrangements through labor-management agreements, allowing for reduced working hours without wage cuts. Various models are being implemented, including a 4.5-day workweek with Fridays off, biweekly specific day off, voluntary four-hour reductions twice a month, and a 35-hour workweek with daily one-hour reductions.The ministry explained that reducing working hours is not just about cutting hours but also leads to increased productivity and talent acquisition. For instance, fintech company WireBarley adopted a 38-hour workweek to attract top talent. By minimizing unnecessary reports and meetings and focusing on concentrated work hours, the company saw a 75% reduction in turnover and a 200% increase in new hires compared to the previous year. The reduction of two hours in standard working hours without wage cuts also resulted in a 5% increase in hourly wages.Eco World Farm, located in a regional industrial complex, implemented a 4.5-day workweek with Friday afternoons off to secure and retain staff. They addressed work gaps through process improvements and tailored AI applications for different departments. Since adopting the 4.5-day workweek, they have hired one new employee and are in the process of hiring three more. Notably, the total weekly working hours for 18 office staff decreased from 673 hours to 648 hours, a reduction of 25 hours.This initiative demonstrates that discussions about reducing working hours can extend beyond large corporations and office jobs to address labor shortages in small and medium-sized enterprises. For companies in regional industrial complexes or those struggling to attract young talent, balancing working hours and work-life balance can be as crucial as wage increases in enhancing recruitment competitiveness.The government plans to support the sustainability of reduced working hours in the workplace by enhancing productivity. A public-private joint productivity improvement support team, launched in May, will focus on supporting technological innovations such as AI adoption, redesigning work processes, and providing vocational training.Minister of Employment and Labor Kim Young-hoon stated, "Reducing working hours is not a one-size-fits-all approach; there are various methods that can suit each company's circumstances. It has been confirmed in the field that labor-management dialogue can lead to tailored systems that yield results, and we will actively support small and medium-sized enterprises in reducing working hours."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-14 12:04:00
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Exemption from Operating Record Keeping for IoT-Equipped Facilities; Ozone Advisory Standards Revised Facilities equipped with Internet of Things (IoT) measuring devices will no longer be required to maintain separate operating records. The government has also revised the standards for lifting ozone advisories to reduce the frequency of repeated advisories and enhance administrative efficiency.The Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment announced on the 14th that a partial amendment to the 'Air Quality Conservation Act Enforcement Rules' will be announced and implemented on the 15th.The amendment allows facilities that automatically transmit measurement data to a control center via IoT devices to recognize these transmission records as their operating records. As a result, these facilities are expected to experience a reduction in the burden of maintaining daily operating records.IoT measuring devices monitor and manage real-time information such as current, pressure, pH levels, and temperature of emission and prevention facilities, automatically sending the measurement results to the control center.The standards for ozone advisories will also be improved. Previously, both the issuance and lifting criteria were set at an hourly average ozone concentration of 0.12 ppm, leading to repeated advisories and cancellations when concentrations fluctuated around this threshold.The revised enforcement rules adjust the criteria so that advisories issued at ozone concentrations above 0.12 ppm can be lifted when levels drop below 0.1 ppm. This change is expected to reduce unnecessary administrative waste and confusion on-site.Additionally, for reports on the installation and operation of fugitive emission facilities, reports on fugitive dust generation, and reports on volatile organic compound emission facilities, if the reporter is a corporation, they can list their title instead of the representative's name. This means that if the representative changes, there will be no need to file a change report as long as only the title is listed.Furthermore, reflecting the amendments made to the 'Air Quality Conservation Act' in March, the basis for administrative penalties related to fugitive dust generation has been updated, and some terms that caused confusion on-site have been clarified.This amendment is seen as a measure to reduce the administrative burden on facilities using automatic measurement systems and to rationalize the operational standards for ozone advisories, minimizing confusion in the field.Kim Jin-sik, Director of the Air Quality Division at the Ministry of Climate, stated, "We will continue our efforts to improve air quality by reducing fine dust and ozone, while actively reflecting reasonable demands for system improvements from the field to enhance regulations."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-14 12:04:00
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LG Electronics Supports AI Skill Development for Disabled Youth LG Electronics is taking steps to enhance the AI skills and career opportunities for disabled youth.From July 15 to 16, LG Electronics will host the 2026 Global IT Challenge for Youth with Disabilities (GITC) in Daejeon at the Ramada by Wyndham Daejeon. The event is co-hosted by LG and the Ministry of Health and Welfare, with LG Electronics and the Korea Disabled People’s Rehabilitation Association serving as co-organizers.This year’s competition will incorporate generative AI skills into the evaluation categories, further emphasizing AI education.The GITC, which began in 2011, aims to improve IT skills and support social integration for disabled youth. To date, over 5,000 participants from 41 countries have taken part. Last year, the event garnered international attention as a side event of the APEC Leaders' Meeting.Sixty disabled youth selected from 17 regions across the country will participate in this year’s Korean competition. Participants will compete in four categories: 'e-Combination,' which assesses AI-based information retrieval and document creation skills; 'e-Creative,' focused on autonomous vehicle programming; 'e-Content,' which evaluates video production skills; and 'e-Interactive,' which involves creating interactive games using AI.The top four participants will represent Korea at the world competition in Da Nang, Vietnam, from October 27 to 29.Prior to the competition, LG Electronics provided all participants with online and offline training on generative AI usage, video production, and block coding. Additional advanced training for the world competition representatives is planned for September.The competition has also led to tangible outcomes in education and employment. Shin Gi-hoon, the winner of the 2011 Vietnam competition, is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in embedded systems at Pusan National University, focusing on AI implementation in smart devices.Yoon Dae-sik, Executive Vice President of LG Electronics’ External Cooperation Division, stated, "Through GITC, we will actively support youth with dreams and talents in the IT field to grow into future talents equipped with AI skills, overcoming their disabilities."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-14 12:04:00
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Oh Se-hoon Presents Housing Supply Plan Focused on Regulatory Easing at Cabinet Meeting Seoul City presented a housing supply expansion plan focused on easing regulations for reconstruction and redevelopment at a Cabinet meeting. President Lee Jae-myung requested a separate report on the current status of Seoul's maintenance projects and the reasons for the supply shortage.Oh Se-hoon, the Mayor of Seoul, attended the Cabinet meeting chaired by President Lee on the morning of July 14. This marked Oh's first attendance at a Cabinet meeting since his re-election and his first in about 11 months since August of the previous year.Initially, it was expected that Oh would directly explain the need for regulatory easing and housing supply expansion. However, he did not receive an opportunity to speak. During the meeting, he stated, "I have submitted the report prepared by Seoul City to the Chief of Policy, the Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, and the Deputy Prime Minister. Since it seems I won't have a chance to speak today, I will refer to the report's contents instead."In response, President Lee said, "Please report on how the reconstruction and redevelopment in Seoul are currently progressing, and why there is a general shortage of supply."Prime Minister Han Seung-soo also mentioned the upcoming national discussion forum on housing stability, suggesting that the matter be discussed further.The key proposals submitted by Seoul City focus on easing regulations for maintenance projects. The city requested an increase in the loan-to-value ratio (LTV) for relocation loans related to maintenance projects to 70% and asked for a relaxation of loan regulations to secure additional contributions. They also requested improvements to restrictions on the transfer of membership status and regulations on floor area ratio and rental housing for private maintenance projects.Seoul City believes that if loan and project-related regulations remain in place, the schedule for maintenance projects will be delayed, leading to a long-term housing supply shortage. The city plans to start construction on 310,000 housing units in Seoul by 2031 and designate 85 areas as key strategic maintenance zones that can begin construction within three years to accelerate supply.However, since key systems such as loans, taxation, and restrictions on the transfer of membership status fall under the central government's authority, Seoul City acknowledges that improvements to its own administrative procedures alone will have limitations. The city believes that the government's institutional improvements must accompany these efforts to enhance the effectiveness of supply expansion through maintenance projects.On the same day, the government began a series of discussions starting with a forum hosted by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport on housing supply expansion for public housing stability. This will be followed by discussions hosted by the Financial Services Commission on the 15th and the Ministry of Economy and Finance on the 16th. A national discussion forum on real estate, which President Lee will attend, is scheduled for the 23rd to discuss overall real estate policies, including housing supply, finance, and taxation.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-14 11:56:00
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Hyungji I&C Accelerates Expansion into China and Japan with 'Asian Fit' Strategy Hyungji I&C announced plans to intensify brand exports to China and Japan in the second half of this year. The company aims to leverage its accumulated brand competitiveness and expertise in 'Asian fit' design to penetrate overseas markets.CEO Choi Hye-won has been meeting with local representatives in China and Japan to discuss distribution strategies and establish partnerships for international business.In China, Hyungji I&C signed a strategic memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Korea-China Business Support Association on June 18 in Shanghai. Following this, the association invited representatives to South Korea for a product evaluation meeting and a department store tour. In the second half of the year, the company plans to open an official brand account on the Chinese short-form video platform Douyin and collaborate with influencers to expand online sales. They are also working on establishing a local pop-up store based on an agreement with the state-owned Shanghai Xuhongqiao Enterprise Service Co., aiming to connect online and offline channels to reach local consumers.In the Japanese market, the women's clothing brand 'Carisnote' will take the lead. Starting in the second half of the year, local distributor Fashion Net will begin product buying, producing customized items that reflect the body types and preferences of Japanese consumers, with plans to showcase initial quantities in early November. Sales will primarily occur through the local home shopping channel Shop Channel.Hyungji I&C believes that its product planning capabilities, quality competitiveness, and experience in designing for consumers with body types similar to Koreans will provide a competitive edge in international markets.Notably, the shirt brand 'Yejak' has recorded cumulative sales of 8.49 million units since joining the Fashion Group Hyungji in 2013 through June of this year. The women's brand 'Carisnote' saw online sales increase by 182% in the first half of this year compared to the same period last year, with overall sales rising by more than 10% during the same timeframe.A representative from Hyungji I&C stated, 'We plan to expand our overseas market penetration based on localization strategies tailored to the characteristics of Chinese and Japanese consumers and the product competitiveness of our Asian fit designs.'* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-14 11:56:00
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Hanmi Semiconductor Reports Record Q2 Operating Profit of 130.3 Billion Won Hanmi Semiconductor achieved its highest quarterly performance since its founding, driven by increased investments in artificial intelligence (AI) semiconductors. The surge in demand for TC bonders, essential equipment for high-bandwidth memory (HBM) production, along with the ramp-up of investments in next-generation HBM4, has resulted in top-tier profitability in the global semiconductor equipment industry.On July 14, Hanmi Semiconductor reported consolidated revenue of 251.1 billion won and an operating profit of 130.3 billion won for the second quarter of this year. Compared to the same period last year, revenue increased by 39.5%, while operating profit rose by 51.0%. The operating margin reached a record high of 51.9% for the quarter.This performance was fueled by increased investments in HBM production facilities due to the expanding AI semiconductor market. Hanmi Semiconductor is currently the global leader in the TC bonder market, which is critical for HBM stacking processes. As global memory companies began mass production of HBM4 this year, the demand for new equipment surged, along with a corresponding increase in demand for MSVP (Micro Vision Placement) equipment.Investments in HBM are expected to continue for the foreseeable future. Major memory companies are preparing to start mass production of the next-generation HBM4E by the end of this year, which is likely to drive demand for next-generation TC bonders capable of handling 12-layer and 16-layer stacking.Global memory firms are also ramping up their investments. Micron has acquired production facilities from Taiwan's AUO and PSMC to expand its HBM production capacity and is also increasing HBM packaging production facilities in Singapore, Idaho, and New York. Recently, it announced plans to raise its semiconductor investment in the U.S. from $200 billion to $250 billion, alongside packaging investments in Hiroshima, Japan.Hanmi Semiconductor is also accelerating the development of next-generation products. The company plans to unveil a prototype of its second-generation hybrid bonder by the end of this year and launch a wide TC bonder in the first half of next year. The second-generation hybrid bonder is aimed at the HBM market, which is expected to gain momentum after 2029.The company is also strengthening its focus on the AI system semiconductor packaging market. Hanmi Semiconductor is supplying 2.5D packaging equipment, including the '2.5D TC Bonder 40', 'FC Bonder 3.5', and 'FC Bonder 75', to global foundries and OSAT (Outsourced Semiconductor Assembly and Test) companies. With the recent expansion of panel-level packaging (PLP) applications in AI semiconductor packaging, demand for related equipment is also on the rise.A Hanmi Semiconductor official stated, "We are expanding our supply of 2.5D packaging equipment in line with changes in the AI semiconductor market and will continue to provide advanced equipment in a timely manner to sustain our growth in the evolving AI packaging market."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-14 11:48:00
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South Korea Expands Sovereign Wealth Fund with New Strategic Investment Account The South Korean government is expanding its sovereign wealth fund by establishing a new strategic investment account within the Korea Investment Corporation (KIC). This initiative aims to provide long-term patient capital for domestic and international strategic investments, supporting three major projects: semiconductors, artificial intelligence (AI) data centers, and physical AI.On July 14, during a Cabinet meeting chaired by President Lee Jae-myung at the Blue House, the government presented its economic growth strategy for the second half of 2026.The strategy emphasizes fostering global competitive growth engines as a key task to boost potential growth rates. The government plans to accelerate the implementation of the three major projects while reforming the sovereign wealth fund and expanding the National Growth Fund to ensure adequate funding.Initially, the establishment of a separate corporation was considered for managing the sovereign wealth fund, but the decision was made to create the strategic investment account within KIC. This approach leverages KIC's existing experience and global network to enhance investment capabilities swiftly.The strategic investment account will serve as a channel for supplying long-term patient capital for domestic and international strategic investments. Its funding will come from government contributions, donations, and operational profits, with profits reinvested, distributed as dividends, or returned to the national treasury to prevent misuse.Investment targets will focus on strategic industries, including the three major projects, essential industries such as finance and infrastructure, and sectors related to national competitiveness and economic security. The government also plans to promote collaborative investments with foreign sovereign wealth funds to attract private and foreign capital into domestic strategic industries.To address concerns about the credibility of foreign exchange reserves, the government will implement measures to strictly separate the existing KIC foreign exchange reserve account from the new strategic investment account. A so-called 'firewall' will be established between the two accounts to ensure that the management of foreign exchange reserves and strategic investment functions do not interfere with each other.Lee Hyung-il, Deputy Minister of Finance, stated, “Currently, KIC has a strong savings-type sovereign wealth fund character, but by adding strategic sovereign wealth fund functions, it will become a comprehensive sovereign wealth fund. However, we will ensure that a firewall is effectively built to prevent mutual influence.”The government's motivation for reforming the sovereign wealth fund is to ensure that the semiconductor boom does not become a temporary economic cycle. With the AI transformation improving semiconductor exports and corporate performance, the strategy aims to connect large-scale investments with increased production capacity and industrial ecosystems to boost potential growth rates.In the semiconductor sector, the government plans to expand memory production capacity and support next-generation power semiconductors. Initiatives include the early completion of fabs in Yongin and Pyeongtaek, the establishment of semiconductor fabs in the southwestern region, and the creation of a testing ground for advanced semiconductor materials and components to maintain a competitive edge.For AI data centers, the focus will be on large-scale investments and establishing a global AI hub. The government will support the construction of AI data centers and work with major international organizations to attract AI cooperation centers to South Korea. Additionally, it will lay the groundwork for activating the data economy through the enactment of a national data basic law.In the physical AI sector, support will be strengthened for seven leading areas, including robotics, autonomous driving, and smart manufacturing. The government plans to select five teams for independent AI model development, ultimately concentrating support on two elite teams to develop globally competitive AI models.Another pillar for funding strategic industries will be the National Growth Fund. The government plans to launch an additional 600 billion won in a public participation-type National Growth Fund in the third quarter, aiming to support over 15 trillion won in funding in the second half of the year.A super-innovation economy fund will be established within the National Growth Fund to enhance support for leading projects in super-innovation economies, such as sensors, actuators, and secondary batteries for humanoids, while backing the commercialization and practical application of advanced technologies.The government will also reform its research and development support methods. It plans to introduce investment-type R&D that includes contributions, creating a structure that allows for recovery and reinvestment. This approach aims to enhance the sustainability and efficiency of financial support for advanced industries.A Ministry of Finance official remarked, “It is crucial to connect the opportunities created by the semiconductor boom with large-scale investments and productivity improvements, rather than letting them slip away as a temporary cycle. We will supply long-term capital needed for strategic industries through the sovereign wealth fund and the National Growth Fund.” 2026-07-14 11:48:00