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  • Samsung SDI Unveils Fire-Resistant UPS Battery Amid AI Data Center Expansion
    Samsung SDI Unveils Fire-Resistant UPS Battery Amid AI Data Center Expansion Samsung SDI's uninterruptible power supply (UPS) batteries have passed a fire containment test conducted by a global certification body, affirming their safety technology. UPS systems are critical infrastructure devices that provide emergency power stored in batteries to ensure stable operation during sudden power outages or voltage instability, particularly in AI data centers.On July 14, Samsung SDI announced that it met all evaluation criteria in an indoor large fire test organized by UL Solutions. This test verifies whether a fire spreads to adjacent racks or systems after intentionally igniting modules within a UPS battery rack.In this test, the ignited UPS battery module was completely consumed by fire, but there was no spread of flames, gas emissions, explosions, or ruptures to surrounding racks, meeting all performance and safety standards. Notably, the fire extinguished itself without the activation of overhead sprinklers.UL Solutions introduced the indoor large fire test earlier this year to assess the risks of explosions and heat propagation in the event of an actual fire in a UPS. As major global tech companies and AI data center operators increasingly require 'fire safety verification' as a prerequisite for selecting battery suppliers, Samsung SDI expects to leverage these test results to highlight its differentiated safety competitiveness to global customers.Samsung SDI explained that it applied heat propagation prevention technology and utilized lithium manganese oxide (LMO) in this test, along with its unique prismatic battery technology, which features an aluminum case resistant to heat and shock, and a vent for gas release.In addition to UPS batteries, Samsung SDI plans to accelerate its market penetration in AI data centers and energy storage systems (ESS) based on its differentiated safety technology across various ESS products, including the Samsung Battery Box (SBB).A company official stated, "Passing this test has validated our differentiated safety technology, and we will provide the most reliable solutions for customers in various markets, including ESS for AI data centers."Meanwhile, Samsung SDI has secured over half of the volume in the last two government bids for ESS and is preparing for the upcoming third bid.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-14 08:52:00
  • UAE Tankers Hit by Iranian Missile in Hormuz, One Crew Member Killed
    UAE Tankers Hit by Iranian Missile in Hormuz, One Crew Member Killed Two tankers from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) were struck by Iranian cruise missiles while navigating the Strait of Hormuz, resulting in the death of one crew member and injuries to eight others, according to UAE authorities.On July 14, local time, the UAE Ministry of Defense announced that the tankers Mombasa and Al-Bahiya were attacked while operating in the southern route of the Strait of Hormuz, within Omani waters.One Indian crew member aboard the Mombasa was killed, and eight others were injured, four of whom sustained serious injuries. The injured included six Indians and two Ukrainians.The missile attack also caused fires on both tankers, leading to material damage. However, the UAE Ministry of Defense reported that all fires on the vessels have been extinguished.The UAE Ministry of Defense condemned the incident as a blatant attack, stating, "The UAE has the full right to respond to this escalation of tensions." The ministry emphasized its readiness to respond firmly to any attempts that threaten the nation's security and stability.On the same day, the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported that a tanker operating about 40 nautical miles (approximately 74 km) northeast of Kalhat, Oman, was struck by an unidentified projectile. The tanker sustained damage to its starboard engine room, but all crew members were reported safe.However, Reuters noted that it was not immediately confirmed whether the incident reported by UKMTO was the same as the attack described by the UAE Ministry of Defense. Iran has not issued any statements regarding the attack.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-14 08:48:00
  • SK Intellix Accelerates Public Market Entry with Wellness Robot NAMUHX
    SK Intellix Accelerates Public Market Entry with Wellness Robot NAMUHX SK Intellix is accelerating its entry into the public market with its wellness robot, NAMUHX. The company has been selected for public verification projects organized by Gangnam District and the Korea Robot Industry Promotion Agency (KIRIA), marking a significant step into the business-to-government (B2G) market beyond its existing business-to-business (B2B) operations.On July 14, SK Intellix announced that its wellness robotics brand, NAMUHX, has been consecutively selected for public verification projects led by Gangnam District and KIRIA.Through the '3rd Gangnam District Robot (AI) Testbed Project,' NAMUHX will be tested at three facilities: Mokgol Library, Gangnam District Health Center, and the Gangnam District Archives. The robot will provide air quality management, non-contact health checks, and AI-based emotional care services tailored to the specific characteristics of each space.Additionally, SK Intellix will participate in the '2026 Large-Scale Convergence Robot Verification Project' promoted by KIRIA. The company has formed a consortium with the Chungbuk Institute of Science and Technology, Cheongju City, KT, and TYM to conduct air purification robot verification at the Cheongju City Miwon Byeolbit Natural Recreation Forest. Plans also include implementing a smart recreation forest service that integrates patrol, delivery, and guidance robots with a centralized control system.The company noted that the adoption of the same wellness robot solution in diverse environments, such as urban public facilities and natural recreation forests, demonstrates both technological scalability and business viability. The KIRIA project, in particular, is expected to serve as a stepping stone for entering the public market, having been selected through a competitive process involving multiple consortia.NAMUHX is a wellness robot that offers air quality management, security, and health care services based on autonomous driving and voice recognition. It supports air purification functions, an AI health consultation service called 'My Healthcare,' and non-contact biometric signal measurement through 'Vital Sign Check.' The robot also features voice interaction and real-time information provision capabilities using the AI model 'Gemini.'Previously, NAMUHX received recognition for its technology by winning the CES 2026 Innovation Award and obtaining KTR AI certification. SK Intellix plans to expand its wellness robot business into the private sector, including medical and welfare facilities, following this public verification initiative.A representative from SK Intellix stated, "This will provide differentiated wellness services to citizens in various environments, from urban indoor facilities to natural recreation forests. We will accelerate the expansion into both public and private markets based on our proven integrated wellness solutions."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-14 08:48:00
  • SK Securities Raises Target Price for Korea Kolmar Amid Strong Export Growth
    SK Securities Raises Target Price for Korea Kolmar Amid Strong Export Growth SK Securities on July 14 raised its target price for Korea Kolmar from 120,000 won to 140,000 won, an increase of 16.7%, citing strong growth in cosmetic exports. The firm maintained its 'buy' rating.Hyung Kwon-hoon, a researcher at SK Securities, stated, "The export market for skincare products is showing exceptional strength, which is sustaining the performance momentum for Korea Kolmar, known for its high proportion of basic cosmetic sales. We expect strong growth without significant seasonal impacts through the third quarter."Korea Kolmar's consolidated revenue for the second quarter is estimated at 821 billion won, with an operating profit of 95.5 billion won, reflecting increases of 12.3% and 30.0%, respectively, compared to the same period last year. The operating profit is expected to align with market consensus of 94.9 billion won.The domestic subsidiary is anticipated to see improved performance driven by increased production due to strong export demand. Standalone revenue is projected to reach 410.2 billion won, a 25.0% increase year-on-year, while operating profit is expected to rise by 31.8% to 64.6 billion won due to operating leverage.The researcher noted, "Cosmetic exports in the second quarter grew by 39% compared to the same period last year, and online sales traffic for major indie clients has remained strong since the first quarter."Particularly, the expansion of indie brands into overseas offline channels is expected to support this growth. He added, "Unlike in the past, indie brands are increasing their penetration in offline channels in the U.S. and Europe, so we anticipate strong shipment growth to continue at least through the third quarter."For the overseas subsidiaries, differentiated trends are expected by region. While sales in North America may temporarily decline, new projects in the second half are expected to improve performance. The China subsidiary is projected to maintain a growth rate similar to the first quarter, with sales expected to increase by 13.4% year-on-year.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-14 08:48:00
  • Ildong Foodis Celebrates Third Year with FC Seoul at Hymun Brand Day
    Ildong Foodis Celebrates Third Year with FC Seoul at 'Hymun Brand Day' Ildong Foodis expanded its engagement with sports fans by hosting a brand event linked to an FC Seoul home game.The company announced on July 14 that it held 'Hymun Brand Day' at the Seoul World Cup Stadium during the FC Seoul home game on July 12.This event was organized to commemorate the third consecutive year of its official partnership with FC Seoul. Various programs were offered both inside and outside the stadium to allow fans to enjoy both the game and brand experiences. Lee Young-pyo, a former FC Seoul player and the brand model for 'Hymun Amino Potent,' also participated in the event.Before the match, the north plaza of the Seoul World Cup Stadium featured sales, experience, and event zones. The sales zone offered a limited edition 'Hymun Special Pack' containing two random FC Seoul player fan cards, along with a raffle for customers purchasing the pack, which included prizes like FC Seoul jerseys and signed balls from Lee Young-pyo.The experience zone included a large inflatable soccer game and a social media follow roulette event. Considering the hot weather, a tasting event for 'Hymun Amino Potent Water Plus' was also held, allowing visitors to sample the product.Fans selected through a pre-event were given opportunities to participate in a fan signing session with Lee Young-pyo, a stadium tour of the Seoul World Cup Stadium, and the escort kids program, which allowed them to enter the field with players. During the opening ceremony before the match, Lee Young-pyo performed the kickoff. A quiz event on the stadium's big screen engaged spectators during the game.An Ildong Foodis representative stated, 'Through the brand day organized as an official sponsor of FC Seoul, we were able to meet sports fans directly. We plan to continue sports marketing that allows both the brand and consumers to participate together.'Meanwhile, Ildong Foodis has been the official protein sponsor of FC Seoul since 2024, supporting the team with products like 'Hymun Protein Balance Active' and 'Hymun Amino Potent,' while also engaging in fan participation marketing both online and offline with FC Seoul.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-14 08:44:00
  • Dunamu Launches AI-Powered Investment Strategy Toolkit
    Dunamu Launches AI-Powered Investment Strategy Toolkit Dunamu has announced the beta release of its AI-based backtesting tool, the Upbit Strategy Toolkit.The Upbit Strategy Toolkit allows users to input investment ideas in everyday conversational language and validate hypothetical investment strategies through backtesting.When requesting backtesting from general generative AI, issues such as fabricated data or distorted results, known as AI hallucination, could arise.This toolkit minimizes such hallucination problems by relying on historical price data.Key performance indicators, including returns, maximum drawdown (MDD), and win rate, are provided in report format.An Upbit representative stated, "The toolkit significantly lowers the entry barrier for executing backtests with AI while enhancing the reproducibility of validation results," adding that the company aims to provide an advanced user environment through continuous technological innovation. 2026-07-14 08:44:00
  • Song Young-gil Calls Jeong Cheong-rae a Stalker of President Lee
    Song Young-gil Calls Jeong Cheong-rae a 'Stalker' of President Lee Song Young-gil, a member of the Democratic Party, criticized former party leader Jeong Cheong-rae on July 14, calling him a "stalker" of President Lee Jae-myung. This remark was directed at Jeong, who has dismissed the emerging narrative of a rivalry between him and Lee as fake news.During an appearance on CBS Radio's "Park Seong-tae's News Show," Song stated, "If the other party does not agree, loving them in my own way leads to a breakup. We call that stalking." He emphasized, "According to former Prime Minister Kim Min-seok, President Lee was so angry that he could not manage his expression. Isn't that stalking?"Regarding Jeong's announcement not to run for president, Song described it as a "self-contradiction," noting that during his previous candidacy for party leader, Jeong claimed he was sacrificing for the success of the Lee administration. "What has he done to run for a party leader position that holds the nomination rights for a two-year term?" Song questioned.He further criticized Jeong's unexpected comments about not running for president while there is still a sitting president with four years left in office, asking, "Who told him to run?"In response to Jeong's claim that he has not engaged in self-promotion, Song asserted, "There is plenty of evidence. I will show it through TV debates. It was thoroughly self-serving." This appears to be a jab at Jeong, who has been advocating for the spirit of prioritizing the party over personal interests.Additionally, Song challenged Jeong's assertion of being the legitimate successor of the Democratic Party, stating, "My departure was to protect the Democratic Party." He pointed out that Jeong had exacerbated anger within the Buddhist community during the last presidential election but resisted calls to apologize, asking, "Is that something to be proud of?" 2026-07-14 08:44:00
  • The world is scorching and Koreas climate envoy sees opportunity in crisis
    The world is scorching and Korea's climate envoy sees opportunity in crisis SEOUL, July 13 (AJP) - South Korea issued its first top-tier heat warning Sunday as temperatures neared 39 degrees Celsius in the southeastern cities of Pohang and Gyeongsan, joining countries across Europe and North America confronting summers that are becoming longer, hotter and increasingly dangerous. The Korea Meteorological Administration activated the newly created Heat Wave Emergency Warning after apparent temperatures were forecast to exceed 38 degrees following days above 35 degrees. The alert, introduced this year above the country’s existing advisory and warning system, reflects an acknowledgement that conventional heat warnings are no longer sufficient for conditions authorities describe as potentially life-threatening. To Kyun Jong-ho, South Korea’s ambassador for climate change, the extreme weather offers a glimpse of the future governments have spent decades promising to prevent, even as the international system built to confront global warming becomes more divided. “The international direction is clear,” Kyun said in an interview with AJP at the Foreign Ministry in Seoul. “The world is moving toward reducing carbon emissions and protecting the planet. If that is the direction, South Korea should secure the technology and move ahead of others.” The intensifying heat arrives as international climate leadership weakens. The United States has stepped away from major climate processes, Europe is preoccupied with economic and immigration pressures, and negotiations between developed and developing countries have grown increasingly confrontational. “There is now a vacuum in leadership,” Kyun said. “I had hoped the European Union would take a stronger role, but the E.U. is also facing difficult economic conditions.” The consequences have been especially visible across Europe, where repeated heat waves have pushed temperatures above 40 degrees, fueled wildfires and contributed to heat-related and excess deaths. Climate researchers say fossil-fuel emissions have made such events substantially hotter and more dangerous. Yet Kyun argued that another geopolitical crisis — conflict in the Middle East and anxiety over energy supplies — could paradoxically accelerate the transition away from fossil fuels. “The energy security issue became extremely serious after the Middle East crisis,” he said. “Paradoxically, it reminded countries that they must reduce their dependence on fossil fuels.” For South Korea, which imports most of the energy it consumes, climate policy and energy security are becoming inseparable. Kyun described the country’s future as an “electric society” built on expanded renewable generation. “In the end, renewable energy has to be emphasized if we want energy independence,” he said. “The direction we need to take is electrification and the expansion of renewable energy.” He said the government’s goal of putting 4.2 million electric vehicles and 300,000 hydrogen-powered vehicles on the road by 2030 was not excessively ambitious, given the strength of South Korea’s automobile and battery industries. “We have an extremely competitive supply chain,” he said, pointing to Hyundai Motor, Kia and the country’s domestic manufacturing capacity. “The direction is right, and it is difficult to say that the target is overly high when compared to other advanced economies.” A bridge between ministries — and nations The climate change ambassador is a senior Foreign Ministry post rather than a traditional overseas ambassadorship. The envoy represents South Korea in United Nations climate negotiations, talks on plastic pollution and other environmental diplomacy. The position emerged as governments were building the framework that eventually produced the Paris Agreement. At home, it also served as an intermediary between ministries whose mandates often pull in opposite directions. “The Environment Ministry exists to protect the environment, while the Industry Ministry exists to promote industry, so different perspectives are natural,” Kyun said 2026-07-14 08:42:41
  • Hurrom Launches New Food Waste Processor with Shallow Depth for Small Households
    Hurrom Launches New Food Waste Processor with Shallow Depth for Small Households Hurrom has launched a new food waste processor designed with the shallowest depth in the country, targeting one- to two-person households.The company announced on July 14 that it has released the 'Hurrom Food Waste Processor 3rd Generation,' which features a depth of just 27 centimeters, the shallowest among domestic food waste processors. With a capacity of 2 liters, this mini product is aimed at newlyweds and single-person households.The new model has been designed to reduce side depth compared to existing cylindrical mini products, allowing for installation in narrow kitchens or around sinks. It features a nature-inspired marble sand white color and a minimalist design, which earned it the '2025 Good Design Award.'The grinding and drying performance has also been enhanced. It incorporates dual hook blades on the top and bottom, enabling it to grind hard food items such as shellfish, fish bones, and walnut shells. The processor automatically detects temperature and humidity to set the appropriate grinding and drying times for different types of food waste, which can be reduced by up to 96%, according to the company.User convenience has been improved as well. The new 'Auto Reverse' function allows the drying container to automatically rotate in reverse before operation ends, making it easier to detach. The dual active activated carbon filter reduces fishy odors and unpleasant smells, providing a more pleasant user experience.Hurrom has also introduced a 'Vegetable and Fruit Mode' for the first time in a food waste processor. This feature allows users to utilize the byproducts from processing vegetables and fruits as fertilizer for houseplants. Additionally, the main body is made from PCR ABS material, which is recycled from plastic waste, enhancing its eco-friendliness.The product is also designed to be economical. The company states that using the processor for a month incurs an electricity cost comparable to that of a low-priced cup of coffee, and it has lowered filter replacement costs and maintenance expenses to reduce consumer burden. Furthermore, it features a 24dB low-noise design, a top touch display, and an automatic cleaning function for the drying container to enhance usability.Kim Jae-won, CEO of Hurrom, stated, "The Hurrom Food Waste Processor 3rd Generation was developed to address the inconveniences customers experienced with existing food waste processors, considering space utilization, powerful technology, and user convenience. We aim to set a new standard for mini food waste processors and will continue to strive to introduce various home appliances that make our customers' daily lives more comfortable."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-14 08:40:00
  • Sono Launches BTS Mega Project in New York City with Official Hotel Partnership
    Sono Launches 'BTS Mega Project' in New York City with Official Hotel Partnership Sono International is set to become a key partner in a mega project celebrating BTS's local concert in the heart of Manhattan, New York City.On July 14, Sono International announced its official partnership with the 'BTS THE CITY ARIRANG - New York' project, launching the '33 Hotel by SONO Calm' as the designated collaboration hotel.This initiative aims to transform the city into a festive venue during BTS's concert period. The official partner, 33 Hotel by SONO Calm, will exclusively operate 'THE CITY ARIRANG' themed rooms and special food and beverage menus from July 24 to September 9. Unique collaboration amenities and diverse experiential programs for tourists from around the world will also be available.Exclusive Missions with 'BTS Passport' for Manhattan ToursDuring the event, hotel guests will have access to a distinctive cultural program that combines New York's historical narratives with the project's features. Upon check-in, guests will receive a 'BTS THE CITY ARIRANG Passport' to complete various missions. Visitors can explore iconic New York landmarks near the hotel, such as the Brooklyn Bridge and Pier 17, while documenting their personal journeys.Expanding Global Reach from Hawaii and France to New YorkThe 33 Hotel by SONO Calm serves as a five-star hotel operated by Sono International, which is expanding its presence in the global hospitality market. Located in Manhattan's Seaport District, the hotel features seven floors with a total of 66 rooms, offering views of the East River and Brooklyn Bridge, all while capturing the unique charm of New York.Notably, Pier 17, located directly in front of the hotel, hosts over 100 major events annually and attracts more than 8 million visitors, making it a global entertainment hub. The venue's outdoor concert space, rooftop dining, and flagship stores are expected to create synergy with the project.Sono International is currently expanding its overseas network, focusing on key locations such as New York, Hawaii, Guam, Washington D.C., France, and the Asia-Pacific region. Through this project, the company aims to demonstrate its differentiated operational capabilities in the global market and establish itself as a leading global hospitality enterprise.A representative from Sono International stated, "We are excited to present services linked to global top-tier content in the heart of New York, a center of world culture. We plan to continue expanding unique global cultural content businesses that allow customers worldwide to experience and engage directly on-site."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-14 08:40:00