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  • AI Brain Health Platform to Innovate Local Healthcare: SHMD and Seongsu Medical Foundation Partner
    AI Brain Health Platform to Innovate Local Healthcare: SHMD and Seongsu Medical Foundation Partner AI-based medical device company SHMD announced a strategic memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Seongsu Medical Foundation to establish an 'AI-based brain health management platform and expand digital healthcare services.'The agreement aims to implement SHMD's advanced medical solutions in local hospitals to enhance early detection and prevention of neurological diseases such as stroke and dementia, while building a digital-based regional preventive healthcare system.Seongsu Medical Foundation operates Incheon Baik Hospital and Ganghwa BS General Hospital in the Incheon area.The two organizations plan to collaborate closely in various areas, including the introduction of the AI platform 'BrainCheck' for brain health screening, utilizing AI for stroke risk assessment and cognitive function tests, and monitoring with the wearable cerebral blood flow ultrasound device 'Cereband.'This partnership will also provide a foundation for SHMD to disseminate clinical evidence obtained from large general hospitals to local medical settings.The representative stated, "For AI medical technology to transform patient health, not only excellent technology but also a collaborative hospital network is essential. We will build an integrated AI brain health platform and work with Seongsu Medical Foundation to expand it to medical sites nationwide."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-14 15:32:00
  • Changwon Transforms into an Open-Air Sculpture Museum with 200 Works
    Changwon Transforms into an Open-Air Sculpture Museum with 200 Works This fall, the entire city of Changwon will transform into an open-air sculpture museum. Over 200 sculptures will be displayed at various locations, including Seongsan Art Hall, the historic Jinhae Station, Masan Fish Market, Changwon House, and the Changwon History and Folklore Museum.The 2026 Changwon Sculpture Biennale, the only sculpture biennale in South Korea, will take place from September 30 to November 15, under the theme 'Resonance.' This year, 74 teams of artists from 14 countries, totaling 81 participants, will showcase their work.Korean co-artistic director Cho Hye-jung and Chinese co-artistic director Zhang Jun are leading the event. Kim Sa-sook, acting CEO of the Changwon Cultural Foundation, stated at a press conference on July 14 in Seoul, "This is the first time we have invited an overseas director as a co-artistic director in the 16-year history of the event, aiming to elevate it to a global biennale based on international networks from Germany and China."A key feature of this biennale is its expansion across the entire city. The exhibition will be centered around Seongsan Art Hall and will span four regions connecting Changwon, Masan, and Jinhae, including the Changwon House, Changwon History and Folklore Museum, Jinhae Station, and Masan Fish Market. While over 60% of the works will be concentrated at Seongsan Art Hall, each region will feature at least 10 artists, ensuring that visitors can experience a complete exhibition even if they visit just one location.Co-artistic director Cho Hye-jung emphasized the significance of sculpture in the age of artificial intelligence, stating, "Sculpture is the oldest and slowest form of art. It does not get swept away by the rapid pace of a world where everything appears and disappears with a single click." He added, "When people stand before a sculpture, they pause, measure its weight, examine its surface and materials, and walk around it, allowing the power of relationship-building that sculpture has long possessed to be reactivated."Cho will explore the concept of 'Sculpture Before Sculpture' in a special exhibition, investigating the sense of form that existed in human life before sculpture became a modern art genre. Through the works of major East Asian artists such as Kim Yoon-shin, Sim Moon-seop, Park Seok-won, Zhu Ming, Zhan Wang, and Mother Stone, the exhibition will reinterpret primitive sculptural actions like carving, hollowing, and stacking.Zhang Jun will present the 'Changwon Sculpture Atlas,' a digital archive that connects this year's exhibited works with the public sculptures from past Changwon Sculpture Biennales, complete with location information. The archive is designed to help viewers reinterpret the works within the historical, geographical, and cultural context of Changwon, with some artists creating new pieces based on specific keywords. Visitors will be able to explore the artworks, locations, and keywords related to Changwon's history and culture through mobile QR codes.Notably, the biennale emphasizes the regional identity of Changwon. The industrial city of Changwon, the historically significant Masan, and the naval city of Jinhae became one city through administrative integration in 2010, yet cultural and emotional distances remain among the three areas.Hwang In, chair of the Changwon Sculpture Biennale Promotion Committee, remarked, "The southern coast line from Tongyeong to Changwon and Jinhae has produced many of Korea's leading contemporary sculptors, such as Mun Shin, Park Seok-won, and Kim Young-won. I hope this year's biennale, which approaches the essence of sculpture as a slow and heavy process, will create an opportunity for the people of Changwon, Masan, and Jinhae to resonate with one another.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-14 15:24:00
  • Chinas Exports Surge 27% Amid Domestic Economic Slowdown
    China's Exports Surge 27% Amid Domestic Economic Slowdown China's exports have continued to rise sharply, increasing by 27% in June compared to the same period last year, driven by a boom in artificial intelligence (AI) investment. However, despite this export growth, domestic recovery in consumption and investment remains sluggish, raising concerns about deepening structural imbalances in the Chinese economy.According to the General Administration of Customs, June exports exceeded market expectations, significantly surpassing the previous month's growth rate of 19.4%. Earlier, Reuters had projected a modest slowdown to 18.2%.Imports also rose by 36% during the same period, exceeding both the previous month's increase of 27.4% and Reuters' forecast of 24%. As a result, the trade surplus for June reached $125.6 billion, marking the second-largest monthly surplus on record.The surge in exports is attributed to increased demand for electronic and information technology products, including computing servers and data center equipment, fueled by AI investment. The General Administration of Customs noted that exports of electronic computers and IT devices continued to grow at double-digit rates, contributing 6.9 percentage points to the overall export growth in the first half of the year.While imports also saw a significant increase, this was largely driven by rising imports of high-performance semiconductors and higher semiconductor prices, rather than a recovery in domestic consumption.Despite the positive export and import figures, experts warn that these gains have not translated into a recovery in private consumption and employment, exacerbating structural imbalances in the economy.A recent survey conducted by Reuters among 54 economists projected China's GDP growth rate for the second quarter at 4.5%, a slowdown from the first quarter's growth rate of 5.0% and below the April forecast of 4.7%. This figure is at the lower end of the Chinese government's growth target for the year, which is set between 4.5% and 5.0%. China is scheduled to release its second-quarter GDP data on July 15.Goldman Sachs recently reported that while exports continue to support overall economic activity, domestic demand has noticeably weakened. The firm noted that the increase in exports has not sufficiently stimulated the job market or improved corporate profitability, limiting the broader economic impact.In fact, consumer spending in China fell in May for the first time in nearly three and a half years since the COVID-19 pandemic, and fixed asset investment has also been in decline for two consecutive months, indicating ongoing domestic weakness.However, market analysts suggest that the likelihood of immediate large-scale economic stimulus measures is low. Given that exports and advanced manufacturing are supporting growth, it is expected that Chinese leadership will maintain the current policy stance for the time being. The Chinese leadership plans to evaluate the economic performance of the first half of the year and finalize economic policy directions for the second half at the upcoming Central Political Bureau meeting later this month.Zhou Hao, chief economist at Guotai Junan Securities, told Bloomberg that the resilience of external demand has reduced the urgency for policymakers to implement aggressive stimulus measures.Nonetheless, concerns about structural stagnation in the Chinese economy are growing. According to the Hong Kong Ming Pao, economist Li Daokui from Tsinghua University stated at a macroeconomic seminar held at Renmin University on July 11 that the simultaneous stagnation of real estate and infrastructure investment has led to a prolonged economic downturn in China for three years.He warned that the current broad unemployment rate in China has reached 10.2%, with approximately 24 million people in long-term unemployment, which poses a threat to social stability. This figure is double the urban unemployment rate of 5.1% reported by the National Bureau of Statistics in May.Li pointed out that the infrastructure investment, which has driven China's economy for the past 20 years, has significantly contracted due to fiscal deterioration. He suggested that the central government should substantially increase the planned issuance of new government bonds this year (12 trillion yuan) to actively invest in areas affecting people's livelihoods, such as local government debt resolution, unsold housing purchases, affordable housing supply, and rural welfare expansion.In the meantime, the Chinese government is also preparing long-term measures to boost consumption recovery.On July 13, the State Council approved the '15th Five-Year Plan for Consumption Expansion,' aiming to increase China's total retail sales from the current 50.1 trillion yuan to 60 trillion yuan by 2030, an increase of about 10 trillion yuan (20%). The plan includes fostering nine service-oriented consumption sectors, including elderly care, childcare, cultural tourism, healthcare, automobiles, AI, agricultural products, and winter sports. 2026-07-14 15:24:00
  • Remedy Shares Drop Over 17% on Second Day of Trading
    Remedy Shares Drop Over 17% on Second Day of Trading Remedy, a medical device manufacturer, is experiencing a decline of over 17% on its second day of trading due to profit-taking by investors.As of 2:48 PM on July 14, Remedy's shares were trading at 18,220 won, down 3,780 won (17.18%) from the previous trading day, according to the Korea Exchange. The stock opened at 23,000 won and briefly rose to 23,150 won early in the session before selling pressure caused a downturn.On its first day of trading, Remedy closed at 22,000 won, a 6.28% increase from its initial public offering price of 20,700 won. However, the significant drop on the second day is attributed to a surge in profit-taking and a general decline in investor sentiment across the KOSDAQ market.Founded in 2012, Remedy develops and manufactures portable X-ray devices based on low-dose, high-resolution X-ray imaging technology.In a public offering held on July 1-2, the company recorded a competitive subscription rate of 1,706.71 to 1, indicating strong interest from general investors.Remedy initially sought to list on the KOSDAQ in May 2022 but withdrew its application after the preliminary review. It attempted to pursue a technology-based listing in 2024 but did not pass the review. After enhancing its business performance and technological competitiveness, the company successfully completed its third attempt at listing.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-14 15:24:00
  • People Power Party Holds Debate on Maintaining Supplementary Investigation Rights
    People Power Party Holds Debate on Maintaining Supplementary Investigation Rights 국민의힘이 14일 여당이 추진하는 검찰의 보완수사권 폐지에 반대하며 '장윤기 사건'을 고리로 공세를 펼쳤다. 특히 투표용지 부족 사태로 재선거를 주장하며 장외 투쟁에 집중하던 장동혁 대표는 "모든 수사권을 경찰에 넘겨주면 괴물 경찰이 탄생할 것"이라며 총력전을 벌였다. 장 대표는 이날 국회에서 열린 '장윤기 사건이 드러낸 수사 공백과 보완 수사권 필요성' 토론회에서 "장윤기 사건을 보면 경찰의 선의에 기대 제대로 수사해 달라고 기대하는 것은 불가능할 뿐 아니라 오히려 지금 필요한 것은 경찰 개혁이라는 답을 얻게 된다"며 "경찰의 거대한 권력을 반드시 누군가 견제하고 통제할 필요성이 있다는 것을 말해준다"고 짚었다. 이어 검찰의 보완수사권에 대해 "정파의 문제도 아니고 어느 한 사람을 위해, 강성 지지층을 향해 쉽게 내줄 수 있는 선물이 아니다"며 "국민의힘은 더불어민주당이 밀어붙이는 보완수사권 폐지를 막기 위해서 국민과 끝까지 최선을 다해 싸우겠다"고 강조했다. 정점식 원내대표는 '장윤기 사건'에 대해 "진실을 밝혀야 할 경찰이 오히려 진실을 외면하고 증거를 은폐하고 국민을 배신한 사건"이라며 "이런 상황에서 검찰의 보완수사권마저 폐지되면 경찰의 부실 수사와 수사권 남용을 막을 최소한의 견제 장치마저 무력화될 수 있다"고 지적했다. 이어 "보완수사권은 검찰을 위한 제도가 아닌 국민의 권익을 보호하고, 억울한 피해자가 발생하는 것을 막기 위한 제도"라며 "국민의힘은 보완수사권 폐지에 단호히 반대한다. 단 한 명의 억울한 국민이 생기지 않도록 사법 파괴에 맞서겠다"고 덧붙였다. 이날 토론회에는 당 지도부와 국민의힘 의원 20여 명이 참석했다. 아울러 '부산 돌려차기 사건'의 피해자 김모 씨와 해당 사건을 맡은 변호사 등이 참석해 보완수사권의 필요성을 주장했다. 김 씨는 범행 피해 당시 입었던 청바지를 공개하며 "경찰과 검찰 수사에서 똑같은 증거였지만, 검찰의 보완수사로 상해 사건에서 중상해 혐의로 변경할 수 있었다. 수사 단계의 판단을 다른 기관이 한 번 더 검증하는 것은 선택이 아니라 의무"라고 말했다. 김재련 법무법인 온세상 대표변호사는 "사건 기록이 검찰과 경찰을 뱅뱅 도는 사이에 증거가 인멸되고 피해자 고통은 가중될 것"이라며 "보완수사권 폐지를 주장하는 자가 가해자"라고 목소리 높였다. 앞서 국민의힘은 전날 의원총회에서 검찰의 보완수사권을 유지하는 내용의 형사소송법 개정안을 당론으로 발의하기로 했다. 최은석 원내수석대변인은 이날 국회에서 기자들과 만나 "법률지원단에서 준비된 안에 보완 의견이 있어 내부 검토를 거쳐 최대한 빨리 제출할 예정"이라며 발의 시점에 대해서는 "최대한 빨리 계획하고 있지만 변동 가능성이 있다"고 밝혔다. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-14 15:20:00
  • Toss Bank Extends Fee Waiver for International Remittances Until Year-End
    Toss Bank Extends Fee Waiver for International Remittances Until Year-End Toss Bank is enhancing its foreign exchange services as it targets the traditionally bank-dominated foreign exchange market.On July 14, Toss Bank announced it will extend the waiver of the 3,900 won fee for international remittances until December 31, 2026.This extension is aimed at reducing costs in response to the steadily increasing customer demand since the launch of its international remittance service in January of this year.The fee waiver, which currently applies to seven currencies, will continue through the end of the year and will also be available for any additional currencies added in the future.The range of remittable currencies will also expand. The Japanese yen (JPY), Vietnamese dong (VND), and Thai baht (THB) will be newly added, bringing the total to ten currencies, including the existing U.S. dollar and euro.Japan, Vietnam, and Thailand are regions with high demand for remittances related to travel, study, local living expenses, and family support, and this expansion is expected to broadly address the remittance needs in Asia.Toss Bank's international remittance service offers a user-friendly experience, allowing customers to intuitively check key information such as expected arrival amounts and fees within the app. However, transaction fees incurred when withdrawing from foreign currency accounts for remittances will still apply as before, separate from the waived remittance fee.A Toss Bank representative stated, "By extending the fee waiver and expanding the currencies, we have made it easier for customers to utilize our foreign exchange services. We aim to provide a convenient and reasonable financial experience that carefully reflects everyday foreign exchange needs."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-14 15:20:00
  • Divergence in Land Sale Market Amid Loan Restrictions
    Divergence in Land Sale Market Amid Loan Restrictions The land sale market in major reconstruction and redevelopment areas of Seoul is showing significant divergence. With tightened loan regulations making cash mobilization crucial, high-value land parcels in prime locations are being sold for around 4 billion won, while some areas are lowering prices after failing to attract buyers.On July 14, the Seoul city government and the construction industry reported that the Jamsil Jinju Apartment Reconstruction Association announced a re-bidding for one unit of 84 square meters at the Jamsil Raemian I-Park. Bidding will take place until July 24, with the highest bid selected through a competitive auction.Last month, the association offered six units, including two 59-square-meter units and four 84-square-meter units, through a public competitive bidding process. The starting prices were set at 3.08 billion won for the 59-square-meter units and 3.9 billion won for the 84-square-meter units. Despite the 84-square-meter price nearing 4 billion won, five of the six units found buyers in the first round of bidding.The only unit up for re-bidding is the 84-square-meter unit that did not sell. The association has maintained the starting price at 3.9 billion won, likely believing it remains competitive given that similar units are currently listed at prices between 4.3 billion and 4.6 billion won.In contrast, the Susaek 7 Redevelopment Association in Eunpyeong is struggling to sell its land parcels. In early June, the association listed an 84-square-meter parcel with a starting price of 1.5 billion won but failed to attract any bids. On June 24, the price was lowered to 1.45 billion won, but it still went unsold. In the latest announcement this month, the starting price was further reduced to 1.42 billion won, marking an 80 million won decrease in just a month.Land parcels are units that reconstruction and redevelopment associations retain for sale through public competitive bidding rather than general sales. Bidders can participate without a subscription account, and often do not need to meet membership qualifications, distinguishing this market from general sales.However, successful bidders must pay the deposit, interim payments, and final payments within a relatively short timeframe, necessitating strong financial capabilities. With recent loan restrictions and stricter debt service ratio (DSR) management, the importance of cash mobilization has increased, leading to a widening gap in demand based on location and price competitiveness.The recent land sale market has clearly differentiated between popular and less desirable areas. The 'Indeokwon Persville' in Uiwang City reportedly sold all 16 units offered last month. Similarly, 10 out of 12 units at 'Raemian La Grande' in Dongdaemun District were sold, with some 59-square-meter units fetching prices 170 million won above the minimum bid.Conversely, areas with lower location competitiveness or price appeal are experiencing repeated failures to sell, leading to price adjustments. Since land parcels require quicker payment schedules than regular sales, worsening loan conditions are likely to narrow the buyer pool to those with cash reserves.Ko Jong-wan, director of the Korea Asset Management Institute, stated, "The land sale market is more significantly affected by loan regulations due to its shorter financing period compared to regular sales. The recent loan restrictions and DSR enhancements have made it difficult for buyers lacking cash mobilization to enter the market, resulting in polarization based on location."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-14 15:20:00
  • Concerns Grow Over Potential Loan Shutdown Amid Tightening Credit Conditions
    Concerns Grow Over Potential Loan Shutdown Amid Tightening Credit Conditions As the annual household loan targets for banks approach exhaustion, concerns are rising about a potential "loan shutdown" in the second half of the year. Major banks have begun to reduce limits on mortgage loans and have halted the acceptance of loan brokers, leading to fears that new loan applications may be completely closed off. According to the financial sector on July 14, the household loan growth targets set by financial authorities for this year are 0.59% for Kookmin Bank, 0.70% for Shinhan, Hana, and NH Nonghyup Banks, and 0.71% for Woori Bank. Reports indicate that only about 950 billion won remains to meet these annual targets. However, industry experts generally believe that a complete "shutdown" of mortgage and credit loans across all banks is unlikely. As existing loans are repaid, banks will regain capacity to issue new loans, and the remaining limits and growth rates vary by institution and product. This means the remaining target of 950 billion won cannot be simply interpreted as the amount available for new loans. Consequently, banks are managing their total loan volume by adjusting thresholds based on products, limits, and application channels rather than closing all loan windows simultaneously. This approach is referred to as "selective distribution." Kookmin, Shinhan, Hana, and NH Nonghyup Banks have restricted new applications through loan brokers while keeping some in-person and online applications open. Responses to these changes vary by product. Kookmin Bank recently reduced the limit for mortgage loans aimed at home purchases from 600 million won to 300 million won. Woori Bank lowered the new limit for overdraft accounts to 50 million won, while NH Nonghyup Bank restricted it to 50% of annual income. In contrast, Industrial Bank of Korea and some regional banks have maintained their credit loan regulations. This means that even for the same borrower, the availability of loans can differ based on the bank and the product or channel chosen. A concern arises that varying thresholds among banks may lead to a concentration of demand at financial institutions with more lenient policies. If one bank tightens its lending, demand may shift to another bank, which could then also impose stricter limits, creating a chain reaction. In fact, this month, NH Nonghyup Bank has already exhausted its loan broker volume. Some internet banks are experiencing a surge in credit loan applications, leading to "open runs" where applications close within hours. There is also a potential "balloon effect" where demand displaced from banks may shift to the second financial sector. According to the Financial Services Commission, household loans in the second financial sector increased by 700 billion won last month, a significant rise from the previous month's increase of 300 billion won. This trend is likely to continue in the second half of the year. Instead of all banks closing their doors simultaneously, those that reach their targets first and products with rapid growth may raise their thresholds, prompting other banks with high demand to follow suit. 2026-07-14 15:16:00
  • Minister Kim Yoon-deok Promises to Incorporate Public Input on Housing Supply
    Minister Kim Yoon-deok Promises to Incorporate Public Input on Housing Supply Kim Yoon-deok, the Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, stated that the government will reflect the voices from the field regarding measures to expand housing supply in its real estate policies.During the opening remarks at the 'Listening Session on Housing Supply Expansion' held at the Jeongdong 1928 Art Center in Jung-gu, Seoul, Minister Kim said, "Myself and the officials from the Ministry will listen sincerely to your words without saying anything except for greetings. We will do our best to ensure that the upcoming government announcement on real estate issues truly addresses the housing crisis."He added, "I hope today’s discussion will serve as an important foundation for reflecting the public's concerns about real estate in future policies as time goes on."About 60 participants attended the session, including Minister Kim, academics, housing construction industry representatives, financial sector members, and ordinary citizens. Professor Jin Mi-yun from Myongji University presented on the topic of expanding housing supply, while Honorary Professor Lee Yong-man from Hansung University moderated the discussion.Panelists included Assistant Professor Lee Hu-bin from Kangwon National University, Park Cheon-kyu, head of the Housing and Real Estate Research Division at the Korea Research Institute for Human Settlements, Senior Research Fellow Kim Deok-rye from the Korea Housing Industry Research Institute, Seon Mi-sook, a department head at Yonhap News, Kim Hyo-sun, a senior real estate expert at KB Kookmin Bank, Choi Eun-young, director of the Korea Urban Research Institute, Kim Jin-soo, CEO of JD Construction, Kim Yong-jin, head of the REITs Division at the Korea Land Trust, and activist Choi Ha-eun from the Snail Union. 2026-07-14 15:16:00
  • CJ Olive Networks to Build UHD and AI Broadcast Trucks
    CJ Olive Networks to Build UHD and AI Broadcast Trucks CJ Olive Networks is set to support the transition to UHD and artificial intelligence (AI) in the domestic sports broadcasting market. Leveraging its years of experience in broadcast media system integration (SI), the company plans to implement a future-oriented sports broadcasting infrastructure model.On July 14, CJ Olive Networks announced that it has secured a project to build next-generation UHD and AI broadcast trucks for sports marketing firm Next Creative, aiming to enhance sports broadcasting infrastructure.CJ Olive Networks will comprehensively handle the entire process, from space-efficient design to broadcast system construction and various permitting tasks. Next Creative, which encompasses the entire sports and entertainment value chain, is responding to market trends that emphasize high-quality broadcasts.Sports broadcast trucks operate with numerous equipment and personnel simultaneously on-site. Therefore, precise system design, optimized workflows, and scalability for various broadcasting environments are crucial. The company plans to implement a system structure that enables smooth operation of multiple UHD cameras and on-site production and transmission.Additionally, the company will gradually introduce an AI-based production system. CJ Olive Networks aims to support a next-generation AI production environment that includes automatic highlight generation, slow-motion and key scene selection, and graphics generation based on game data.Through this initiative, CJ Olive Networks expects to reduce repetitive production tasks, allowing for faster and more precise broadcast operations, ultimately enhancing production competitiveness.Next Creative plans to leverage this broadcast truck construction to enhance its on-site production capabilities and solidify its competitive edge as a sports marketing company. The firm was previously selected as a 'Leading Company in the Sports Industry' by the Korea Sports Promotion Foundation.Shin Bong-ho, head of broadcasting and media at CJ Olive Networks, stated, “Through the construction of the Next Creative broadcast truck, we will create a differentiated sports broadcasting environment that combines UHD ultra-high definition and AI technology, supporting our clients' competitiveness in the rapidly changing broadcasting market.”Meanwhile, CJ Olive Networks is strengthening its market competitiveness in broadcasting and media IT services. The company plans to expand its services to encompass the entire process, including planning, consulting, development, network, and infrastructure construction, as seen in its project to enhance the broadcasting system at the esports venue Roll Park.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-14 15:12:00