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Samsung Elec edges out Apple as top smartphone vendor Q2 SEOUL, July 14 (AJP) -Samsung Electronics stole back the world's top smartphone vendor title in the second quarter from Apple amid the worst slump in global smartphone market in 13 years due to spike in memory costs. According to preliminary data released Monday by Counterpoint Research, Samsung captured a 24 percent share of global smartphone shipments in the April-June period, compared with Apple's 20 percent. In the first quarter, Apple briefly moved ahead with a 21 percent market share versus Samsung's 20 percent. Samsung also recorded the strongest year-on-year shipment growth among the world's top five smartphone makers, helped by resilient demand in India and the Middle East, where it kept price increases relatively modest while rolling out aggressive seasonal promotions. "Samsung held up relatively well in India and the Middle East, supported by better product availability, fewer price hikes and aggressive summer promotions that complemented flagship momentum," Counterpoint said. Apple remained the only major smartphone manufacturer not to raise handset prices during the quarter. Its shipments rose 3 percent from a year earlier, supported by continued strength of the iPhone 17 lineup, which remained the world's best-selling smartphone family. However, the company continued to struggle in China despite early promotional campaigns ahead of the country's mid-year shopping festival. The broader smartphone market, however, continued to suffer. Global smartphone shipments fell 11 percent from a year earlier, marking the weakest second-quarter performance since 2013 as shortages of DRAM and NAND flash memory intensified. Counterpoint attributed the downturn to memory suppliers prioritizing lucrative AI data center demand over consumer electronics, sending memory prices sharply higher and forcing smartphone manufacturers to raise prices, particularly for entry-level and mid-range devices. "The global memory crisis has now overtaken every other factor as the single biggest drag on the smartphone industry," said Counterpoint Senior Analyst Shilpi Jain. "What started as a components issue last year is now a full-blown demand issue. Entry and mid-tier devices, which account for the majority of global smartphone volumes, have become structurally unfeasible at previous price points." The memory shortage was further compounded by higher shipping and energy costs linked to geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, alongside slowing global economic growth and weak consumer sentiment, the research firm said. Chinese smartphone makers were hit hardest by the cost pressures. Xiaomi, OPPO and vivo all posted double-digit shipment declines as their heavy exposure to lower-priced devices left them particularly vulnerable to rising component costs. Consumers increasingly delayed purchases, opted for older-generation smartphones or extended replacement cycles. Outside the top five, Google posted the fastest growth with a 16 percent increase in shipments, driven by the Pixel 10 series, while Huawei expanded shipments by 6 percent on solid demand for its Mate 80 and Nova 15 lineups. Looking ahead, Counterpoint forecast global smartphone shipments to decline by about 14 percent this year, warning that the AI-driven memory shortage is likely to persist into 2027. 2026-07-14 10:15:12 -
Proponents of Han Dong-hoon's Return Criticize Ahn Cheol-soo's Opposition 국민의힘 친한(친한동훈)계 의원들은 14일 안철수 의원이 한동훈 무소속 의원의 복당을 반대한다고 밝힌 것에 대해 "잠수 정치를 하려고 하는 것 같다"며 안타까움을 드러냈다. 박정하 의원은 이날 MBC 라디오 '김종배의 시선집중'에서 안 의원이 '한동훈 복당 반대'를 주장하고 나선 것에 대해 "숙주 정치에 잘못 발을 담그신 것 아닌가라는 생각이 들어 안타깝고 안쓰럽다"고 이같이 말했다. 그는 안 의원이 이 같은 주장을 한 배경에 "장동혁 대표를 호위하는 사람들이 좀 있는데, 그런 분들의 의견일 것"이라며 "당내 많은 의원들이 여기에 동조한다고 보기에는 과하지 않을까 싶다"고 했다. 이어 안 의원이 차기 당권을 염두에 둔 행보가 아니냐는 지적에 "우리 당을 어수선하게 만들고 있는 일부 잘못된 분들에 오히려 빨려들어간 것 아닌가라는 생각이 든다"며 "'철수 정치'에 이어 '잠수 정치'까지 하려고 하는 것 같다"고 직격했다. 아울러 "안철수라는 새 정치로 한때 국민들의 열망을 받았던 분이 스스로 중진이라고 하면서 발언 하나가 어떻게 소비되고 유통되는지에 대해 충분히 알아야 하는데, 그걸 모르고 했던 것 같다"며 "과연 어떤 정치를 당원들과 국민들한테 보여주려고 하는지에 대해 의심스럽다"고 했다. 한지아 의원도 같은 날 SBS 라디오 '김태현의 정치쇼'에 출연해 안 의원의 주장에 대해 "배제의 정치를 선언하는 모습에 아쉬움이 있었다"며 "힘을 합쳐야 더 건강한 국민의힘을 만들 수 있고, 2028년 총선을 이길 수 있다는 것을 모를 리가 없는데 그렇게 말하는 것에 대해 조금 의아했다"고 했다. 그러면서 "혼자 하는 정치가 아니라 함께하는 정치가 필요한 것 아니겠느냐"며 "저 같은 후배들이 부족하다면 가르쳐 달라. 배울 마음이 있다"고 밝혔다. 한 의원은 안 의원이 한 의원의 복당을 막아 차기 당권 구도를 유리하게 구성하려는 것 아니냐는 질문에 "실제로 안 의원이 기자회견 한 전후로 당권파, 소위 말해 당 소속 대변인들이 확성기처럼 얘기를 해석하고 나왔다"며 "이런 모습들이 당권을 향한 움직임이라는 오해를 불러일으킬 수 있다"고 짚었다. 일각에서 제기된 한 의원의 신당 창당론에 대해서는 "우리가 분열될 것이 아니라 함께 힘을 합쳐야 한다. 한 의원은 언제든지 돌아온다고 했고, 그런 토양을 만들려고 많은 의원들이 지금 움직이고 있다"며 "조금 시간을 달라. 방향성은 그대로 있고, 시간의 문제"라고 선을 그었다.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-14 10:12:00 -
FromBio Begins Safety Evaluation for Stem Cell Hair Loss Treatment, Aiming for IND Application Next Year FromBio has initiated key non-clinical safety evaluations for its stem cell-based hair loss treatment.The company announced on July 14 that it has signed a contract with the non-clinical testing organization Biotoxtech to conduct in vivo distribution and tumorigenicity tests related to its adipose-derived stem cell (dADSCs) hair loss treatment development. The results of these tests will serve as essential safety data for the upcoming submission of an Investigational New Drug (IND) application to the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety.The in vivo distribution evaluation checks the distribution and persistence of the administered cells, while the tumorigenicity test verifies the potential for tumor formation with long-term administration. Both tests are mandatory non-clinical evaluations in the development of cell therapies.In addition to the safety evaluations, FromBio is also establishing a cell bank to ensure the quality uniformity and supply stability of the cells for clinical trials. This initiative aims to strengthen the manufacturing and quality control systems necessary for clinical development.In previous general toxicity tests, no toxic effects were observed from the test substances. Furthermore, non-clinical efficacy evaluations using hair loss animal models confirmed the effects of promoting hair growth and increasing hair follicle generation, according to the company.The dADSCs currently under development are candidate substances for cell therapy that utilize the company's proprietary differentiation technology. FromBio is progressing with non-clinical development, targeting an IND application next year.CEO Shim Tae-jin stated, "The in vivo distribution and tumorigenicity tests are crucial steps for entering clinical trials. We will secure core safety data to complete non-clinical development and proceed with the IND application in 2027 without any setbacks."Meanwhile, CEO Shim is enhancing responsible management by purchasing additional company shares. Following the acquisition of 130,000 shares on June 9, he bought another 150,000 shares on July 1, bringing the total to 280,000 shares. His ownership stake has increased from 36.06% to 37.04%.The company explained that this purchase aims to convey the management's confidence in long-term growth amid challenging market conditions, including economic uncertainties and weakened consumer sentiment.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-14 10:12:00
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High Exchange Rates Shift Summer Travel Trends for Koreans and Foreign Tourists As high prices and prolonged exchange rate fluctuations increase vacation costs, the dynamics of the domestic and international travel markets are rapidly changing this summer. While South Koreans are opting for short, budget-friendly trips to nearby cities like Japan and Vietnam, foreign tourists visiting Korea are focusing on wellness activities such as skin care, body scrubs, and health check-ups to rejuvenate both body and mind.Asian Travelers Seek Value in Smaller Cities as Major Cities DeclineThis summer, the keyword for South Korean travelers heading abroad is summarized as 'L.I.T.E.' An analysis of flight and hotel search data during the peak season of July and August by global hotel search platform HotelsCombined and travel search engine Kayak shows a clear demand for 'light travel' that prioritizes value.Japan accounted for over 30% of overseas flight searches, ranking first, followed by Vietnam, China, and Thailand. This trend is attributed to the historic depreciation of the yen and high accessibility. Notably, China saw a 6.4% increase in flight searches compared to the previous year, driven by its visa-free policy and reasonable prices.In hotel searches, a trend toward enjoying the charm of 'small cities' away from major urban centers has emerged. Seven of the top ten locations with the highest search growth were in Japan, with Miyakojima, known for its emerald waters, experiencing a 27% surge in searches compared to last year. Cities like Kobe and Kitakyushu are also gaining popularity as alternatives.Travelers are also showing a preference for efficiency in their lodging choices. Short stays of one to two nights accounted for 46% of hotel searches. While the proportion of five-star hotels has decreased due to cost considerations, there is a strong preference for three- to four-star hotels that offer a balance of quality and affordability.Foreign Tourists Embrace K-Wellness for Health and Beauty TreatmentsAs South Koreans head to overseas small cities, the inbound tourism market is witnessing a surge in 'Karecovery' trends. Data from the inbound tourism platform CreateTrip shows that the purpose of travel for foreign tourists is rapidly shifting from mere sightseeing to wellness and recovery activities, including dermatology, health check-ups, and traditional Korean medicine.In fact, CreateTrip's total transaction volume in the first half of this year grew by 34% compared to the same period last year, with transactions in the dermatology category skyrocketing by 411%. The average spending per person also increased by 140%, indicating a significant rise in expenditures on beauty treatments.Notably, the demographics and areas of medical tourism are diversifying. While the beauty medical market was previously dominated by Asian tourists, there has been a significant influx of Western tourists. American tourists accounted for 55% of health check-up bookings and 43% of traditional Korean medicine bookings, expanding their focus to comprehensive health management. Taiwanese tourists continue to show strong interest in dermatology and ophthalmology.Traditional bathing culture and pharmacies are also becoming popular tourist attractions. The transaction volume for 'one-person scrub shops' offering Korean-style body scrubs increased by 462% compared to last year, and spa bookings rose by 67%. Notably, pharmacy visit reservation products, which became active this year, accounted for 23% of total wellness bookings. Foreigners flocked to pharmacies in downtown Seoul, creating a bustling scene as they sought 'cosmeceutical' products that blur the line between pharmaceuticals and cosmetics.Increased Interest in Local Tourism Boosts Regional DestinationsThis shift in travel trends is positively impacting regional small cities, expanding beyond traditional tourist hubs like Seoul and Jeju.For domestic travelers, cities like Donghae, Jecheon, Gyeongju, and Namhae are gaining traction, as evidenced by the increase in hotel search rates, reflecting a growing interest in unique local destinations.Foreign tourist traffic is also dispersing to regional areas. In Busan, a key hub in the Yeongnam region, CreateTrip reported a 301% increase in transaction volume in the first half of this year compared to the previous year. Newly launched dermatology reservation products in Busan accounted for 64% of the city's total transaction volume, emerging as a new inbound tourism strategy. Beauty services such as hair salons (up 144%) and makeup (up 40%) are also experiencing growth.Gyeongju has seen a 61% increase in transaction volume, particularly in day tour products. Recently, a girl group member from Gyeongju was appointed as a tourism ambassador, and local marketing efforts leveraging the K-pop fandom are expected to further spread foreign tourist traffic beyond Seoul to regional cities.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-14 10:04:00
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LG Electronics Expands LG Channel to Over 5,000 Global FAST Platforms LG Electronics is accelerating its TV platform business by expanding its free ad-supported streaming service, LG Channel, to over 5,000 global channels. The company aims to increase its service countries by offering region-specific content and enhancing AI-based personalization features.On July 14, LG Electronics announced the launch of LG Channel in Poland, bringing the total number of service countries to 37. As a result, the number of channels available worldwide has surpassed 5,000. LG Channel is a free content service based on LG's webOS smart TV platform, which is installed on approximately 270 million TVs globally.In Poland, LG Channel offers a variety of content, including global news, sports, movies, and specialized channels focusing on Korean content such as K-pop and K-food. LG Electronics plans to use Poland as a base to expand its market presence in Central and Eastern Europe while enhancing local content and multilingual support.The company is also broadening its strategy for region-specific content. In Brazil, sports channels make up over 10% of the offerings, with the recent addition of the popular local sports channel, 'CazéTV.' In India, LG operates more than 150 channels centered around Bollywood content, while in Taiwan, it is expanding its offerings of popular dramas and entertainment shows.LG Electronics is also strengthening its software capabilities. The company is continuously updating its AI algorithm-based content recommendation features to improve user convenience. Recently, LG Channel was recognized at the '2026 Global OTT Awards' for its ICT-based innovative services, winning in the 'New Tech' category.The growth in user numbers continues. Last year, the average monthly global viewership of LG Channel increased by 30% compared to the previous year, and the total annual viewing time rose by 45%.Industry experts note that as TV manufacturers expand their competitiveness beyond hardware to include proprietary content platforms and advertising businesses, ad-supported free streaming, known as FAST services, is becoming a new revenue source for the TV industry.Cho Byeong-ha, Vice President of LG Electronics' webOS Platform Business Center, stated, "We will continue to expand our content competitiveness and platform ecosystem not only in North America and Europe but also in the Global South."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-14 10:04:00
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Starlink Shares Plunge 82% on First Day of Trading Suspension Starlink shares have dropped over 80% on the first day of trading suspension ahead of their delisting.On July 14, the Korea Exchange reported that Starlink was trading at 350 won, down 1,626 won (82.29%) from the previous trading day.Starting today, Starlink has entered a trading suspension period due to its impending delisting, which will last until July 23. The delisting is set for July 24. During this suspension, there are no price limits, and trading occurs in 30-minute intervals from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.Starlink was designated as a cautionary investment item in 2024 due to the improper use of funds from a capital increase. In April 2025, it was classified as a management item after exceeding a 50% capital impairment ratio and reporting pre-tax losses exceeding 50% of its equity in two of the last three fiscal years, leading to a halt in trading.In August of last year, the Korea Exchange decided to delist Starlink after considering the company's sustainability and management transparency. The company subsequently filed for a provisional injunction to suspend the delisting decision, delaying the trading suspension originally scheduled for September.However, on July 10, the Seoul Southern District Court dismissed the injunction request, allowing the delisting process to proceed. As a result, Starlink resumed trading suspension today and is set to be delisted from the KOSDAQ on July 24.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-14 10:04:00
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Exchange Rate Fluctuates in the High 1490s Amid Geopolitical Risks from the Middle East The won-dollar exchange rate is fluctuating in the high 1490s.In the Seoul foreign exchange market on July 14, the exchange rate stood at 1497.9 won per U.S. dollar as of 9:33 a.m.The rate opened at 1497.5 won, down 3.90 won from the previous day's closing rate.Overnight, the New York stock market declined. The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed down 138.37 points (-0.26%) at 52,498.64.The Standard & Poor's (S&P) 500 index fell 60.05 points (-0.79%) to finish at 7,515.34, while the Nasdaq Composite dropped 408.43 points (-1.55%) to close at 25,873.18.International oil prices surged sharply following U.S. President Donald Trump's announcement to resume maritime sanctions against Iran.September futures for crude oil closed at $83.30 per barrel, a 9.6% increase from the previous trading day, while August futures for West Texas Intermediate (WTI) rose 9.4% to $78.14 per barrel.At the same time, the dollar index, which measures the value of the dollar against six major currencies, slightly increased to 101.27 from 101.24 the previous day.Min Kyung-won, an economist at Woori Bank, stated, "Today’s exchange rate is expected to rise due to strong dollar pressures stemming from geopolitical risks in the Middle East. The surge in oil prices is likely to reignite inflation concerns, leading to rising U.S. Treasury yields, which will exert upward pressure on the dollar and trigger weakness in major currencies, including the won."He added, "However, expectations for improved supply and demand from exporters and heavy industry dollar sales will support the upper limit of the exchange rate."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-14 10:04:00
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Krafton studio Flyway Games launches action roguelike 'Ascend to Zero' SEOUL, July 14 (AJP) - Krafton's creative studio Flyway Games launched its new action roguelike "Ascend to Zero" worldwide, releasing the title simultaneously as an Xbox Game Pass day-one offering. The game went live at Monday 4 p.m. Korea time across Xbox Series X|S, Xbox on PC, Xbox Cloud Gaming, the ROG Xbox Ally and Steam. Game Pass subscribers can play it at no additional cost. "Ascend to Zero" casts players as a fighter who wields the power to freeze time, battling swarms of enemies while assembling abilities and combat styles across repeated runs. The time-stop mechanic doubles as the game's central hook, rewarding aggression over caution. The title sells for 13,000 won ($8.69) in South Korea. Alongside the base game, Flyway released a "Supporter Pack" downloadable content bundle featuring golden skins for six avatars, an official soundtrack and a discounted deluxe edition combining the game and all DLC. As of Tuesday, the game is rated "Very Positive" on Steam, 95 percent of user reviews remaining positive. 2026-07-14 10:01:53 -
Jung Jeom-sik: Don't Deceive the Public About Negotiations with the Democratic Party Jung Jeom-sik, the floor leader of the People Power Party, criticized the Democratic Party on July 14, stating, "Do not deceive the public into thinking that negotiations between the ruling and opposition parties exist through threats or meaningless delays."During a floor strategy meeting held at the National Assembly, Jung remarked, "If you need to take all 18 standing committees to feel satisfied, then take them all."He added, "Instead, if the first party in the National Assembly wants to take all 18 committees, they should unilaterally amend the National Assembly Act to do so. Then, the People Power Party will also participate in the committees in the future," he sarcastically suggested.The meeting also included calls for the opposition to recommend a special investigation related to the infringement of voting rights in the 6-3 case. Jung emphasized, "Almost all special investigations have been appointed through recommendations from parties in the National Assembly since the special investigation into the Naegok-dong residence in 2012. We must conduct a thorough investigation into the Central Election Management Commission and the Democratic Party cartel through a special investigation recommended by the opposition rather than relying on mechanical neutrality from third-party recommendations."Kim Seung-soo, the deputy floor leader, stated, "The principle is that the special investigation should be recommended by the opposition to ensure it is conducted neutrally, free from the influence of the living government and ruling party. To leave no doubts, we must uncover the truth without any sacred cows through a special investigation recommended by the opposition."Meanwhile, Jung urged the Democratic Party to quickly recommend a candidate for the special inspector during both the previous Supreme Council meeting and the current floor strategy meeting. He said, "The Blue House has requested this three times, but the Democratic Party has ignored it. I hope they will stop the politics of deception and immediately recommend a candidate for the special inspector that belongs to the Democratic Party."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-14 10:00:00
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Kwangdong Pharmaceutical Conducts First Aid and CPR Training for Employees Kwangdong Pharmaceutical has initiated training to enhance employees' emergency response capabilities, promoting a culture of safety.The company announced on July 14 that it conducted first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training for employees at its headquarters and branches nationwide. This program was developed in accordance with the company's health and safety management policies, focusing on improving the ability to respond quickly and accurately to emergencies.The training was hands-on, allowing participants to practice CPR and learn how to use an automated external defibrillator (AED). They also engaged in response drills simulating real-life scenarios such as airway obstruction, falls, and cardiac arrest.This training was organized by the Central Emergency Training Institute and was conducted in phases for approximately 770 employees from the headquarters and branches.A Kwangdong Pharmaceutical representative stated, "We plan to continue activities aimed at creating a safe working environment and spreading a culture of safety." Additionally, Kwangdong Pharmaceutical recently published its first sustainability management report since its founding, detailing its progress and achievements in environmental, social, and governance (ESG) management.The report was designed to systematically manage non-financial performance in the areas of environment, society, and governance, while enhancing transparent communication with stakeholders, including shareholders and customers. The company noted that it includes specific strategies and execution results under the ESG vision of 'Innovation for Health, Sustainable Future.'Prior to this, the company established an 'ESG Committee' as a direct body under the board of directors. This committee is composed solely of three outside directors to ensure objective oversight. It will serve as a control tower to independently review and decide on the company's medium- to long-term ESG strategies and policies.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-14 10:00:00