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  • Meritz Securities: LS Marine Solutions to Benefit from Expansion of Undersea Power Networks, Target Price Set at 40,000 Won
    Meritz Securities: LS Marine Solutions to Benefit from Expansion of Undersea Power Networks, Target Price Set at 40,000 Won Meritz Securities stated on September 14 that LS Marine Solutions is expected to benefit from a shortage of cable laying vessels (CLVs) due to the expansion of undersea power networks. The firm maintained a 'Buy' rating and set a target price of 40,000 won. The stock closed at 32,300 won on September 11, indicating a potential upside of 23.8%.Jang Jae-hyuk, a researcher at Meritz Securities, explained, "While LS Marine Solutions is known as a player in the offshore wind sector, its core business involves owning and operating cable laying vessels, which are critical assets for the expansion of undersea power networks." He noted that as the depth and length of undersea cable installations increase, the number of days required for vessel deployment also rises.Demand for undersea cables is expected to grow, but the supply of laying vessels is projected to remain limited. Excluding China, the demand for undersea cables for offshore wind in Asia and Europe is expected to increase from 2,208 kilometers last year to approximately 6,645 kilometers by 2030, nearly tripling. During the same period, demand for European interconnector cables is anticipated to rise from about 1,500 kilometers to 7,000 kilometers, a 4.7-fold increase. In contrast, the global supply of power cable laying vessels is expected to grow only from around 100 to about 115 by 2030, a mere 15% increase.LS Marine Solutions plans to introduce a new 18,000 GT CLV, investing approximately 350 billion won, by 2028 to enhance its capabilities for long-distance interconnector construction. Jang emphasized that significant investment, lengthy construction periods, and stable cable production and order capabilities are essential, adding that the connection with its parent company, LS Cable, is a competitive advantage.He also projected that the West Coast Power Highway will drive future earnings growth. Meritz Securities estimates that LS Marine Solutions will generate over 500 billion won in construction revenue from the first phase of the project. Assuming an operating profit margin of 20%, the total operating profit for the project is estimated to exceed 100 billion won.Jang noted, "Operating profit is expected to increase from about 7 billion won last year to around 12 billion won this year, and as revenue recognition from the Sinan-Wooey offshore wind project begins in earnest in 2027, it is projected to approach 40 billion won. If revenue recognition from the West Coast Phase 1 project begins in 2030, annual operating profit is expected to exceed 140 billion won."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-14 08:28:00
  • Wemade Announces Change in Major Shareholder with Neopulse Consortium
    Wemade Announces Change in Major Shareholder with Neopulse Consortium A consortium of investors, including Neopulse and global gaming company Kingnet, will become the new major shareholder of Wemade.On September 14, Wemade issued a joint statement regarding the change in its major shareholder with the Neopulse-led consortium.The investor consortium signed a stock transfer agreement with Park Kwan-ho, chairman of Wemade, on June 30. They are currently proceeding with the necessary steps to finalize the transaction, including payment of the remaining balance and obtaining regulatory approval by October 30.Once the transaction is completed, the consortium will hold a cumulative stake of 40.25% in Wemade. The consortium plans to focus on expanding business opportunities, including publishing and key intellectual property licensing, in global and Chinese markets.Additionally, they aim to establish a business framework that can respond to market-specific risks based on their understanding and experience of local markets and industries.Wemade intends to collaborate with the investor consortium to ensure stable operations and continuous growth. The company also stated that its ongoing core projects and organizational operations will proceed without disruption according to existing plans.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-14 08:28:00
  • KAIST Research Team Uncovers Mechanism of RNA Delivery in Neurons, Paving Way for New Brain Disease Treatments
    KAIST Research Team Uncovers Mechanism of RNA Delivery in Neurons, Paving Way for New Brain Disease Treatments KAIST's Professor Yoon Gi-jun and his research team have discovered the molecular mechanism by which neurons accurately transport specific ribonucleic acid (RNA) to the end of their axons. They found that the chemical marker 'm6A' serves as a 'delivery tag' that helps select the necessary RNA.On September 14, KAIST announced that the research team identified the role of the m6A chemical modification in the process of transporting specific RNA to the end of the axon, a long pathway in neurons. The findings were published in the international journal 'Nature Communications' on July 30.Neurons connect with other neurons through axons and dendrites that extend from the cell body. For the brain to develop and function normally, RNA produced at the cell center must be accurately delivered to the far ends of the neurons. However, the mechanisms for selecting and transporting specific RNA have not been fully understood.The research team analyzed experimental mice in which the methylation enzyme that attaches m6A to RNA was inactive, confirming that the growth of dendrites was impaired. They then utilized a precise analysis technique called 'm6A-SAC-seq' to create a high-resolution map identifying the locations of m6A on RNA in the mouse brain, confirming that RNA necessary for axon growth is also marked with m6A.The team also elucidated the process by which this marker is recognized and the RNA is transported. The protein 'YTHDF2' recognizes RNA with m6A, and together with the proteins 'FMRP' and 'KIF5C', it transports the RNA to the end of the neuron. Previously known primarily for aiding the degradation of unnecessary RNA, YTHDF2's involvement in RNA transport has been revealed through this study.Previous research has reported associations between abnormalities in YTHDF2 and m6A regulation with neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism and degenerative brain diseases like Alzheimer's. The research team plans to conduct follow-up studies to explore the relationship between the newly identified concept of 'RNA delivery errors' and the failure to deliver normally produced RNA to necessary locations in relation to brain diseases. They are currently constructing a similar m6A map in human neurons, patient-derived iPSCs, and brain organoids.This study involved KAIST students Koo Bon-sang and Hwang Hee-sun, along with Dr. Ajit Kumar as co-first authors. The research was supported by the Ministry of Science and ICT's Korean Research Foundation (NRF) New Research Program, the POSCO Cheongam Foundation, and the Seo Kyung-bae Science Foundation.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-14 08:24:00
  • Ko Young-cheol Elected President of Asian Confederation of Credit Unions
    Ko Young-cheol Elected President of Asian Confederation of Credit Unions Ko Young-cheol has been elected as the new president of the Asian Confederation of Credit Unions (ACCU). The National Credit Union Federation of Korea announced on September 14 that Ko attended the '2026 Asia Credit Union Forum' and the 'ACCU Annual General Meeting' held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, from September 11 to 13 (local time). Ko was elected as the new president during the 45th ACCU Annual General Meeting held on the last day of the event, September 13. His term will last for two years, from 2026 to 2028. The ACCU holds the Asia Credit Union Forum annually to share management practices among credit unions in the region and discuss the future direction of the credit union movement. This year's event saw the participation of 571 representatives from credit unions across 22 Asian countries. The theme of this year's forum was 'Unspoken Realities, Bold Connections: Transformation and Resilience of Credit Unions in the 2026+ Era.' Participants discussed topics such as digital transformation, the use of artificial intelligence (AI), governance and organizational innovation, and member-centered management. The Korean Credit Union presented its experiences and achievements in the operation of the Cooperative Growth System under the theme 'Connecting Growth Beyond Systems.' Ko stated, "In a rapidly changing financial environment, credit unions must share experiences and capabilities among countries to continue growing and find solutions together. I will work to share the experiences of coexistence and cooperation that the Korean credit union has accumulated with member countries and enhance the competitiveness and sustainability of Asian credit unions."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-14 08:12:00
  • Samsung and SK Hynix Complete Half of 26.6 Trillion Won Share Buyback
    Samsung and SK Hynix Complete Half of 26.6 Trillion Won Share Buyback ◆Aju Economy Major News▷Samsung and SK Hynix buy back 26.6 trillion won in shares, raising market concerns- Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix have recently completed a share buyback totaling approximately 26.6 trillion won over the past three weeks, serving as a key support for the KOSPI market.- Samsung purchased 29.8 million shares, accounting for 55.92% of the planned amount, worth 7.77 trillion won, while SK Hynix bought 10.95 million shares, or 45.49% of its planned buyback, totaling 18.8 trillion won. The share buyback represented 10.8% and 18.1% of their respective total trading volumes.- During the same period, other corporations net purchased 25.15 trillion won in the KOSPI, while foreign and individual investors sold 11.4 trillion won and 15.77 trillion won, respectively, indicating that the buybacks by the two companies effectively supported market liquidity.- Although Samsung's stock price rose only 0.97% during the buyback period, SK Hynix's stock increased by 7.2%, suggesting that the large-scale buybacks helped stabilize prices amid selling pressure from foreign and individual investors.- However, if the current pace continues, the buyback may conclude earlier than the initially scheduled November, raising concerns about a potential liquidity gap. Analysts suggest that, given the lack of clear buying momentum in the market, a trading strategy may be more effective than aggressive directional investments for the time being.◆Major Reports▷Will rising prices lead to higher interest rates? - Both the U.S. August CPI and PPI increased, largely due to energy prices, with a notable difference in the rise of core inflation.- In China, the PPI rose to 3.8%, while the CPI remained at 0.8%, indicating that companies are absorbing the increased production costs without fully passing them on to consumer prices.- Therefore, it is difficult to predict future CPI increases based solely on PPI rises; the actual transmission of cost increases to consumer prices and expected inflation is crucial.- The European Central Bank (ECB) has raised its growth forecasts for 2026 and 2027 alongside a 25 basis point interest rate hike, suggesting that the current tightening is not expected to significantly harm the economy.- In the U.S., consumer sentiment is declining, with one-year expected inflation rising to 4.6%, indicating that future interest rate paths will depend not only on whether inflation exceeds 2% but also on how expected inflation affects actual price setting and purchasing power.◆Major Announcements After Market Close (11th)▷TSI extends short-selling restrictions (extension of short-selling ban)▷Jusung Engineering extends short-selling restrictions (extension of short-selling ban)▷Woori Technology designated as a short-selling restricted stock (short-selling ban applied)▷Axvis (anticipated) designated as a short-selling overheated stock▷Sangsangin Securities removes investment warning designation and anticipates re-designation◆Fund Trends (as of 10th, excluding ETFs)▷Domestic equity funds: -99.3 billion won▷Overseas equity funds: -3.8 billion won◆Key Schedule for Today (14th)▷South Korea: Korean Exchange to implement after-market priority▷Japan: July (final) industrial production MoM, July capacity utilization MoM* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-14 08:00:20
  • Corporate tax to top income tax 27 as chips reshape Koreas tax base
    Corporate tax to top income tax '27 as chips reshape Korea's tax base SEOUL, September 14 (AJP) -South Korea’s corporate tax revenue is projected to more than double next year from this year’s supplementary-budget estimate and exceed income tax receipts for the first time in 15 years, as the semiconductor windfall is expected to continue well into 2027. Corporate tax revenue is forecast to reach a record 216.7 trillion won ($161.5 billion) in 2027, according to the Ministry of Finance and Economy’s national tax revenue budget plan, surpassing the 180 trillion won expected from income tax. It would mark the first time since 2012 that corporate tax receipts have exceeded income tax revenue and the first time they have topped 200 trillion won. The surge reflects expectations for another sharp increase in operating profits, particularly at semiconductor giants Samsung Electronics and SK hynix, as the global memory-chip boom continues. Corporate tax receipts have already rebounded from 84.6 trillion won in 2025 to an estimated 101.3 trillion won this year under the supplementary budget. The government expects the figure to more than double to 216.7 trillion won next year. The extraordinary increase highlights how heavily Korea’s fiscal position is becoming tied to the semiconductor cycle. Corporate tax revenue rose from the 40 trillion-won range in the early 2010s to 103.6 trillion won in 2022, before collapsing to 80.4 trillion won in 2023 and 62.5 trillion won in 2024 as the chip downturn hit corporate earnings. The unexpected fall was a major contributor to tax-revenue shortfalls in those years, disrupting budget execution and narrowing the government’s room for fiscal policy. Income tax, by contrast, has followed a steadier upward path, supported by inflation, employment growth and rising asset prices. Revenue rose above 100 trillion won in 2021, reached 130.5 trillion won in 2025 and is estimated at 136.8 trillion won this year before climbing to 180 trillion won in 2027. Value-added tax, once the biggest source of national tax revenue, is projected at 91.4 trillion won next year, marginally higher from 86.6 trillion won estimated for this year. The growing dependence on corporate taxes has renewed concerns that Korea’s public finances could become increasingly vulnerable to swings in the semiconductor cycle — generating windfall revenue during chip booms but opening large fiscal holes when the industry turns down. The government plans to address that volatility through a new Future Response Fund, which would set aside part of tax revenue generated during boom years rather than immediately spending the entire windfall. Under the government plan, tax receipts exceeding the trend in domestic tax revenue over the previous 10 years would be accumulated in the fund and used both for investments intended to lift Korea’s potential growth rate and as a fiscal buffer during future downturns. The government says money accumulated during periods of strong revenue could later be transferred back to the general account when tax receipts weaken. The 2027 budget plan calls for 45.4 trillion won of the fund to support projects in four broad areas — youth, new growth engines, regional development and education and talent — while 12.5 trillion won would be used to reduce new government bond issuance. Another 104.4 trillion won would be held as reserve funds for fiscal stabilization and future spending needs. The government argues that using all of a temporary revenue surge for one-year spending would be inefficient, while using all of it to repay debt would also limit its ability to invest in longer-term growth. It plans to manage the accumulated assets with a target return at least equivalent to government bond yields. AJP Takeaways - Corporate tax revenue is projected to more than double to a record 216.7 trillion won ($161.5 billion) in 2027 from 101.3 trillion won estimated for 2026. - Corporate tax is expected to overtake income tax for the first time since 2012, underscoring how the semiconductor boom is reshaping Korea’s tax base. - The windfall also exposes Korea to sharper fiscal swings when the chip cycle turns. The government plans to channel part of excess tax revenue into its new Future Response Fund for growth investment and fiscal stabilization. 2026-09-14 07:43:22
  • Nepalese Man Rescued After Nine Days Trapped in Flooded Tunnel
    Nepalese Man Rescued After Nine Days Trapped in Flooded Tunnel A Nepalese man, Sanjay Saha, 30, was rescued after being trapped for nine days in a tunnel of a hydroelectric power plant in the Himalayan region near the Nepal-China border due to severe flooding. He survived by drinking muddy water.According to Yonhap News on September 12, Saha, who had worked as a mechanical supervisor at the Trishuli 3A Hydroelectric Plant in central-northern Bagmati Province for over three years, was familiar with the tunnel's layout but found himself unable to escape alone.“Before the flood, I knew every corner of the tunnel and could go deep inside without difficulty,” Saha said. “But after the flood, the entire structure of the tunnel changed completely.”He added, “The equipment was swept away, and the walls collapsed. The debris created hills and pits, making my knowledge of the tunnel useless.”Saha stated, “I did not give up. Initially, I moved around the tunnel, but I realized I could get trapped in a more dangerous spot, so I decided to stay in one place.”With no food available, he drank muddy water and water seeping from rocks. “I kept telling myself, ‘I am not alone,’ thinking about how my family might be suffering outside. That thought gave me strength,” he recounted.Finally, on September 4, he was rescued by Nepalese rescue teams after being trapped for nine days.“Inside the tunnel, I completely lost track of time. I thought only two or three days had passed, but I was shocked to learn that nearly ten days had gone by since my rescue,” he said.As of now, the severe flooding that occurred on August 26 has resulted in over 1,400 deaths and more than 5,600 people missing in Nepal and the Tibet Autonomous Region of China.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-14 07:40:00
  • Stabbing Incident in Dongdaemun District Leaves Man Hospitalized
    Stabbing Incident in Dongdaemun District Leaves Man Hospitalized An 80-year-old man was arrested after wielding a knife on a street in Dongdaemun District, Seoul.According to police and fire authorities, the suspect, identified as A, was apprehended at approximately 8:40 p.m. on September 13, near the scene of the incident in Jeonnong-dong, on charges of attempted murder.The victim, a man in his 70s, was transported to a hospital with multiple self-inflicted wounds. He is currently reported to be in stable condition.Earlier that evening, at around 8:24 p.m., police received a report of a man being stabbed in Jeonnong-dong. Officers arrived on the scene and located A within about ten minutes.Authorities plan to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident before deciding whether to seek an arrest warrant for A.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-14 07:08:00
  • Accident Near Yaro Tunnel on Gwangju-Daegu Expressway
    Accident Near Yaro Tunnel on Gwangju-Daegu Expressway At approximately 5:23 a.m. on September 14, a cargo truck traveling toward Gwangju collided with a tanker truck near the Yaro Tunnel on the Gwangju-Daegu Expressway in Hapcheon County, Gyeongnam. Following the initial collision, a Starrex vehicle struck the cargo truck, resulting in the Starrex driver being transported to the hospital in cardiac arrest. The accident has led to partial lane closures, causing severe traffic congestion. Police are currently working to manage the situation and investigate the exact circumstances of the accident.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-14 06:56:00
  • Japan Tops OECD in Education Rankings, But Faces Learning Challenges
    Japan Tops OECD in Education Rankings, But Faces Learning Challenges Japanese students have achieved a historic milestone by ranking first among OECD member countries in all three categories—science, mathematics, and reading—of the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA).This accomplishment highlights their exceptional ability to apply knowledge learned in school to real-world problem-solving. However, behind this impressive performance lies a number of challenges. Students' capacity for self-directed learning is significantly below the OECD average, and the number of students lacking basic skills has actually increased.PISA, conducted every three years by the OECD since 2000, assesses the reading, mathematics, and science competencies of 15-year-old students. It emphasizes the ability to apply learned knowledge to real-life situations rather than rote memorization. In the 2025 assessment, approximately 760,000 students from 91 countries and regions participated, including about 6,500 first-year high school students from Japan.Japan ranked fifth in both science and mathematics and fourth in reading among all participating countries and regions. The only regions that outperformed Japan were Beijing, Shanghai, Jiangsu, and Zhejiang in China (which only includes these four regions) and Singapore, Taiwan, and Macau, all of which are non-OECD regions. South Korea ranked seventh in science and sixth in both reading and mathematics.The Japanese education community welcomes these results as a sign of overcoming past shortcomings. Following a significant drop in rankings in 2003, known as the 'PISA shock,' Japan revamped its education policies. A Ministry of Education official told the Nihon Keizai Shimbun, "The consistent efforts of students have led to these results."According to the Asahi Shimbun, the Ministry attributes the positive outcomes to the establishment of learning guidelines that emphasize problem-solving skills, the distribution of tablets to students to enhance digital learning environments, and a shift in classroom practices that encourage students to identify and discuss their own tasks.Given Japan's large population, these results are particularly noteworthy, as most top-ranking countries and regions are smaller in size. Hiroyuki Masukawa, a professor at Aoyama Gakuin University, stated in the Yomiuri Shimbun, "Japan's ability to maintain a high ranking despite its large population is evidence that compulsory education reaches all corners of society."However, a closer examination of the detailed results reveals that not all aspects are positive. A survey conducted alongside the academic assessments indicated that students' curiosity and self-directed learning abilities are below the OECD average. Only 59% of Japanese students responded positively to the question, "I enjoy finding out how things work," compared to the OECD average of 74%. Additionally, only 20.6% reported planning how to study in advance, and 30.2% said they try different methods if they feel their current study approach is ineffective, both significantly lower than the OECD averages by 16.7 and 14.1 percentage points, respectively.The competitive entrance exam culture is cited as one of the reasons for this situation. A teacher from a private high school told the Asahi Shimbun that students are so focused on exam preparation that they lack the time to cultivate curiosity about what they are learning. There is a lot to memorize, but not enough time.The issue becomes more pronounced after the entrance exams. In today's rapidly changing world, individuals must continuously adapt and learn new things. The ability to set personal goals and change study methods has become increasingly important. A Ministry of Education official expressed concern to the Asahi Shimbun that while Japan currently ranks among the best in the world, the lack of self-directed learning skills could hinder future progress.Japanese adults also rank among the highest in learning capabilities globally, but this does not necessarily translate into high productivity. According to the OECD's 2024 Programme for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies (PIAAC), Japan ranked second in literacy and numeracy and first in problem-solving skills. This indicates that both 15-year-olds and adults in Japan are among the best in the world.However, the Japan Productivity Center reports that in 2024, Japan's hourly labor productivity ranked 28th out of 38 OECD member countries, and per employed person, it ranked 29th, the lowest among the G7 nations. The Nihon Keizai Shimbun noted that academic achievement does not automatically lead to competitiveness, emphasizing the need for education that fosters curiosity, which drives innovation.To address these issues, experts suggest changes in classroom practices. Norichika Yori Kazu, a professor at Nihon University, told the Nihon Keizai Shimbun, "Even once during the semester, teachers should refrain from giving immediate answers and instead create opportunities for students to deepen their thinking through repeated experiments," emphasizing the need for classes that allow students to learn through trial and error.Another concerning issue revealed by the survey is the increasing number of students lacking basic skills. The lower achievement group consists of students who have not reached the basic level necessary to apply learned knowledge and skills to real-world problems. Japan's proportion of lower-achieving students remains below the OECD average. However, according to the Yomiuri Shimbun, this proportion has increased from 13.8% to 18.6% in reading, from 12.0% to 16.1% in mathematics, and from 8.0% to 11.3% in science compared to 2022. This is the first time all three areas have seen an increase. In contrast, the proportion of higher-achieving students remained similar to previous years.The rise in lower-achieving students is also attributed to increased smartphone usage. An analysis of a national academic test conducted by the Ministry of Education this year found that the math accuracy rate for third-year middle school students who spend more than four hours a day on social media or videos was 48.7%, significantly lower than the 69.6% accuracy rate of those who spend less than 30 minutes. Hiroaki Mimizuka, an emeritus professor at Ochanomizu University, analyzed that the increase in gaming and social media usage has reduced the time available for self-directed learning, negatively impacting some students' academic performance.Socioeconomic disparities in academic performance are also evident. Among the bottom 25% of students, 24.5% fell into the lower achievement category in mathematics, while only 7.5% of the top 25% did, a more than threefold difference.Support for learning at home is also weaker than the OECD average. The proportion of Japanese students who reported that their parents help them with their studies is the lowest among OECD countries. Miyako Ikeda, a senior analyst at the OECD, noted that the number of families in Japan that support their children's studies is declining, particularly among socioeconomically disadvantaged groups.How schools can assist students who lack support at home is another challenge. The Nihon Keizai Shimbun pointed out that in Japan, where grade retention is virtually nonexistent, many students who do not fully understand the material still advance to the next grade. The Ministry of Education plans to allow schools to flexibly adjust subject class times in the next learning guidelines, which will be gradually implemented after 2030, to secure time for individual instruction. This time will be used for teacher training, lesson research, and personalized guidance to enhance students' basic skills and foster their motivation to learn independently. 2026-09-14 06:04:10