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Hansung Enterprise Continues Strong Performance for Three Consecutive Trading Days Hansung Enterprise, which had seen its market capitalization fall below the listing maintenance criteria, is experiencing a resurgence as a 'patriotic company,' continuing its strong performance for three consecutive trading days.According to the Korea Exchange, as of 9:49 a.m. on July 13, Hansung Enterprise's stock was trading at 9,230 won, up 770 won (9.10%) from the previous trading day. At one point during the day, the stock surged to 10,990 won, marking its third consecutive upper limit price increase following gains on July 9 and 10.Previously, Hansung Enterprise closed at 6,510 won and 8,460 won on July 9 and 10, respectively, reflecting increases of 29.94% and 29.95% from the previous days.Known for its seafood processing products, particularly 'Crami,' Hansung Enterprise had faced a decline in stock prices due to poor performance, with its market capitalization dropping from approximately 34.6 billion won at the beginning of the year to 26.1 billion won by the end of last month.The recent rebound in stock prices was triggered by the revelation on social media and online communities that Hansung Enterprise has sponsored a concert for Korean War veterans for 25 years. As this information spread rapidly, a consumer movement to support the company emerged, improving investor sentiment and leading to increased buying activity.Market analysts view the recent surge in stock prices as a result of renewed investor sentiment and consumer support rather than expectations of improved performance. However, they caution that the long-term trajectory of the stock will depend on the company's recovery in performance and enhancement of corporate value.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-13 10:16:00 -
NH Nonghyup Insurance Assesses Damage at Apple Farms Affected by Cold Weather NH Nonghyup Insurance announced on July 13 that it visited apple farms in Miryang, South Gyeongsang Province, on July 10 to assess damage caused by cold weather.The fruit thinning assessment is a process that verifies the final number of fruits remaining on trees after the thinning operation is completed. NH Nonghyup Insurance conducted this assessment to accurately gauge the extent of the cold damage that occurred in May and to enhance the fairness and reliability of the damage evaluation.Song Chun-soo, CEO of NH Nonghyup Insurance, observed the assessment process on-site and checked whether the damage evaluation was being conducted in accordance with relevant regulations. The company plans to incorporate feedback from farmers gathered during the visit to improve assessment methods and enhance insurance services.Song stated, “Accurate damage assessment is a crucial process that supports the sustainability of farming operations. We will actively reflect the voices from the field into our systems to create an environment where farmers can focus on their agricultural activities without worrying about disasters.”NH Nonghyup Insurance aims to expedite insurance payments for reduced fruit yield and strengthen on-site support for farmers in response to climate change.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-13 10:16:00
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SK Group's Chey Tae-won Considers U.S. Semiconductor Investments Amid AI Demand Chey Tae-won, chairman of SK Group, has opened the possibility of investing in semiconductor production facilities abroad, including in the United States, to meet the growing demand for artificial intelligence (AI) semiconductors. He stated that if essential infrastructure such as power, water, and large sites are secured, new fabs could be considered anywhere in the world, including the U.S. He emphasized that the supply structure in the memory market is changing due to the spread of AI.According to industry sources, Chey made these remarks during a press conference on July 10 in New York, marking the listing of SK Hynix's American Depositary Receipts (ADRs) on Nasdaq. He said, "If the right conditions are met, we can consider locations anywhere in the world, including the U.S."His comments come as the U.S. government has been increasingly urging global semiconductor companies to expand local production. Chey noted that there is a growing demand from U.S. customers for local production, hinting at the potential for expanding production bases.However, he clarified the prerequisites for investment, stating, "Semiconductor fabs require power, water, and large sites. Even if we want to increase supply, we cannot build factories just anywhere."Chey assessed that the memory semiconductor market has entered a different phase due to the spread of AI. He remarked, "The speed of demand growth far exceeds the speed of supply expansion," indicating a structural change that differs from the previous semiconductor cycles characterized by oversupply and price declines. He predicted that as AI becomes more advanced, the demand for memory will continue to rise.He also revealed plans to realign SK Group's business direction around AI. Chey explained that SK Hynix must evolve from a memory manufacturer to a provider of memory optimized for customer systems. The group aims to cultivate AI data centers and AI infrastructure as core growth pillars, enhancing synergies between semiconductors and infrastructure.Regarding the Nasdaq listing, he expressed expectations that it would improve accessibility for global investors and aid in securing overseas talent. He stated that the U.S. market listing would help expand the global investment base and strengthen efforts to attract top talent through stock options.Industry experts believe that the demand for AI semiconductors is increasing more rapidly than expected, making production capacity a key competitive advantage for global semiconductor companies. They anticipate that competition among countries to attract new production sites will intensify in the future.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-13 10:08:00
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People Power Party Criticizes Abolition of Supplementary Investigation Rights The People Power Party launched a strong attack on the Democratic Party on July 13 for its push to abolish supplementary investigation rights for prosecutors. They criticized the party for attempting to remove even the minimal checks on police authority, citing the case of the murder of a high school girl by Jang Yoon-ki.During a Supreme Council meeting at the National Assembly, Jang Dong-hyuk, the party leader, stated, "If the absolute power held by the prosecution is transferred to the police, which already wields significant power, it will ultimately lead to the emergence of a 'monster police' that will be utterly corrupt."He added, "Supplementary investigation rights do not only serve to complement the police's inadequate investigations; they also function as a check on police power. The Democratic Party seeks to expand power while eliminating checks and avoiding accountability, thereby creating a monster police. The Supreme Court has also expressed the need for supplementary measures."Floor leader Jeong Jeom-sik emphasized, "If the abolition of supplementary investigation rights had occurred in 1987, the official cause of death for Park Jong-cheol would have been recorded as an unexplained heart attack, and the briefing stating 'he died after being struck' would have become the truth." He described supplementary investigation rights as a minimal safety pin for victims.Jeong warned that whether it is the prosecution or the police, if they are not adequately checked, the consequences will fall solely on the citizens. He urged the government and ruling party to redesign the criminal investigation system from the ground up, standing on the side of victims.Shin Dong-wook, the senior council member, pointed out that the police intervened in the elections by failing to promptly announce the 'terror hoax' incident involving Jeong Yi-han, a former candidate for mayor of Busan from the Reform Party, ahead of the June 3 local elections.He remarked, "Given the series of actions taken by the police, it is natural for the public to be curious, worried, and concerned about what will happen after October when investigative power is completely transferred to the police. I hope the Democratic Party will stop this runaway situation even now."Additionally, Jang criticized Defense Minister An Gyu-baek regarding allegations of desertion, stating, "The president, who appointed Minister An and remains silent despite these allegations, should not be in that position. If the military record is disclosed, the issue will be resolved. If they try to hide it, the suspicions will only grow."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-13 10:08:00
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NHN Launches Game-Focused AI Talent Hackathon NHN is launching a hackathon aimed at discovering talent in the gaming and artificial intelligence (AI) sectors. The initiative seeks to identify individuals with proven capabilities in real-world tasks to enhance AI competitiveness in the gaming industry.On July 13, NHN announced the opening of participant recruitment for the hackathon event 'Next AI Network 2026' (NAN 2026).NAN 2026 is a recruitment-focused hackathon designed to find gaming talent to shape the next phase of AI. This event is part of the company's strategy to internalize AI-driven business innovation. It is supported by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Creative Content Agency to foster talent in the domestic gaming industry.Participants will be required to complete preliminary tasks, which include a playable game build, demonstration video, game introduction document, AI utilization technical document, and a team member role description (which can be excluded for individual participants). Ten teams will be selected through internal evaluation to advance to the finals.The finals will take place from September 4 to 6 at NHN's 'Play Museum' in Pangyo, Gyeonggi Province. Competing teams will focus on development for 48 hours following the announcement of the theme, submitting deliverables such as game prototypes, agent design documents, and directing specifications.Winners will receive an opportunity for a final interview, and bonuses will be awarded based on tenure if hired. NAN 2026 is open to teams of up to three members or individuals aged 19 and older. Interested participants must submit their application and preliminary tasks through the application page by August 10.Through this event, NHN aims to discover AI talent with verified capabilities in real-world tasks and link this to actual hiring, thereby strengthening AI competitiveness in the gaming sector.Additionally, NHN is operating various internal and external AI programs to enhance the group's AI capabilities and promote AI-driven business innovation. In March, the company conducted an internal program called 'NHN AI Sprint' to improve AI utilization skills among employees. On July 2, NHN Cloud and NHN Dooray hosted '2026 Agentic Day,' sharing results produced by AI agents through lectures and interactive booths.On July 1, NHN implemented the AI model 'Claude' from the U.S. generative AI company Anthropic across the organization to enhance employee productivity through AI.Kim Sang-ho, head of NHN's gaming division, stated, 'NAN 2026 is a game-focused hackathon that allows participants to propose new experiences using AI in games and implement them into tangible results. NHN plans to not only adopt AI but also strive to create substantial outcomes.'* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-13 10:04:00
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FIFA President Discusses Expanding World Cup to 64 Teams After 2026 FIFA President Gianni Infantino announced plans to discuss expanding the men's World Cup to 64 teams after the 2026 tournament.In an interview with Swiss broadcaster Blue Sports, Infantino stated on July 12 that the possibility of introducing a 64-team format will be reviewed by the relevant committee following the conclusion of this World Cup.The 2026 World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, will be the first tournament to increase the number of participating teams from 32 to 48. If FIFA decides to expand further, the scale of the World Cup will grow significantly.Infantino emphasized, "The World Cup should not just be for Europe and South America, but for the entire world. Every country should be able to dream of participating in the World Cup." He added that as the performance of national teams improves globally, failing to provide opportunities for smaller nations could hinder their development.The idea of a 64-team World Cup was first proposed in March 2022 by the South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL) to mark the 100th anniversary of the tournament in 2030.In September of the same year, Infantino met with CONMEBOL President Alejandro Dominguez, along with the presidents of the Argentine and Uruguayan football associations and the presidents of Paraguay and Uruguay, to discuss the expansion plan.Dominguez stated, "To create a historic World Cup in 2030, we need integration, creativity, and a larger vision. Football can become a true global festival when everyone can enjoy it together." However, there are opposing voices regarding the expansion of participating teams. CONCACAF President Victor Montagliani expressed concerns in an April 2022 interview with ESPN, stating that a 64-team expansion would not be beneficial for the World Cup itself, national teams, club competitions, or leagues and players.UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin has also criticized the 64-team expansion proposal as a bad idea.If the 64-team format is implemented, the total number of World Cup matches would increase to 128, doubling the 64 matches played under the 32-team format used from 1998 to 2022. This year's World Cup will feature 48 teams competing in a total of 104 matches.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-13 10:04:00
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LG Electronics and GS Construction Collaborate on Next-Gen AI Home Development LG Electronics is accelerating its B2B business in AI home solutions through a collaboration with GS Construction. On July 10, LG Electronics and GS Construction signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) for the joint development of next-generation AI home technology at the Grand Seoul building in Jongno-gu, Seoul. The signing ceremony was attended by LG Electronics CEO Ryu Jae-cheol and GS Construction CEO Heo Yoon-hong, among other executives from both companies.Under this agreement, LG Electronics will develop AI home solutions that integrate its ThinQ ON hub with home appliances, Internet of Things (IoT) devices, and various services linked to GS Construction's residential brand, Xi. The core of this initiative is to connect services such as lighting, heating, ventilation, gas valve control, elevator calls, parking location checks, and community facility reservations into a single platform.The AI technology will understand user patterns and contexts through conversations, suggesting or automatically executing necessary functions to provide a highly personalized living experience. The two companies also plan to establish design standards for robot-friendly apartments and develop scenarios for robot services within living spaces.This collaboration aims to expand the supply of high-quality built-in appliances combined with AI home solutions and strengthen LG Electronics' focus on the B2B market targeting construction companies.Ryu Jae-cheol, CEO of LG Electronics, stated, "By combining LG's AI home solutions with Xi's residential infrastructure, we will provide a new living experience that makes customers' daily lives more convenient and valuable. I hope our collaboration will set the standard for future living spaces where AI, robotics, and environments harmonize."Heo Yoon-hong, CEO of GS Construction, remarked, "The future of living will not simply involve adding devices; it will be realized when AI and space are integrated into a single living experience. Together with LG Electronics, our top technology partner, we will create a new standard for future living that customers can truly feel."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-13 10:04:00
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Korean Celebrity Go Young-wook Expresses Desire to Become Japanese AV Actor Go Young-wook stated on July 12 via his X (formerly Twitter) account, "I just wanted to make people laugh and live happily."He added, "It seems difficult to find a job in Korea," and mentioned, "I think I saw somewhere that there is a shortage of male AV actors in Japan." He further noted, "If it is legally possible."Go debuted in 1994 with the group Roola and was sentenced to two years and six months in prison in 2013 for charges including sexual assault against three minors. He also received a five-year public disclosure order and a three-year electronic monitoring order, earning him the label of the 'first celebrity to wear an electronic bracelet' and leading to his expulsion from the entertainment industry.Since his release in July 2015, he has ceased all entertainment activities. However, after the public disclosure period ended in 2020, he opened accounts on platforms like YouTube, but was restricted from doing so due to his history of sexual crimes against minors. He has since been sharing his daily life through X.Recently, he commented on the controversy surrounding MC Dingdong's assault of a female BJ, expressing, "With such leniency towards others, why only towards me...?" and questioned, "What are the standards of this society when such a lowly person can still engage in social activities?" reflecting on the perceived inequity in societal judgment against him.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-13 10:04:00
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KT Launches AI-Based Email Security Service with CSAP Certification KT has launched an artificial intelligence (AI)-based email security service aimed at public and educational institutions. This service, which combines AI with advanced persistent threat (APT) response technology, is the first of its kind in South Korea to receive Cloud Service Security Certification (CSAP).On July 15, KT announced the release of its 'Public AI Email Security' service, which has obtained CSAP from the Korea Internet & Security Agency (KISA). CSAP is a leading domestic security certification system required for providing cloud services to national and public institutions, evaluating compliance with strict information protection standards.KT's AI email security service detects and blocks cyber threats such as ransomware and phishing emails using AI technology. It employs a three-tier filtering system that includes spam blocking, AI analysis, and APT response to identify and block malicious emails, ensuring that only legitimate emails are delivered to customer mail servers.The primary customers for this service include public enterprises and national universities. A key feature is that these institutions can utilize cloud-based security services without making large investments in budget and infrastructure.In terms of performance, users can selectively apply up to three types of APT analysis engines, maintaining over 97% accuracy in detecting malicious emails through continuous AI learning. Most analyses are completed within one minute, minimizing delays in email reception.The service also offers a 'One-View' feature for security personnel, providing a consolidated view of detection evidence, incident history, and risk levels for identified malicious activities, facilitating rapid response.Jeong Myung-jun, head of KT's Enterprise Service Division, stated, "As cyberattacks via email become increasingly sophisticated, proactive measures to protect critical information in public institutions are essential. With the first CSAP-certified AI-based email security service in the country, we aim to provide an optimized security environment for public and educational institutions and actively support safe digital transformation."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-13 09:56:00
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Shinsegae Department Store Reports Record Foreign Sales of 580 Billion Won in First Half of 2026 Shinsegae Department Store has reported its highest-ever foreign sales for the first half of the year. If this trend continues, annual foreign sales are expected to exceed 1 trillion won for the first time. On July 13, Shinsegae announced that its foreign sales for the first half of 2026 reached 580 billion won, a 120% increase compared to the same period last year. This marks the highest performance for any first half. Considering that last year's total foreign sales were approximately 650 billion won, the store has already achieved about 90% of last year's total in just the first half. The company anticipates that it could surpass 1 trillion won in annual foreign sales for the first time. Shinsegae attributed the increase in foreign customers to its strategy of combining K-culture with shopping. The competitiveness of luxury brands, along with the expansion of K-pop content and global payment services, has established the store as a must-visit shopping destination for tourists in Korea. The composition of foreign customers is also changing. The previous focus on Chinese tourists is shifting, with an increasing number of visitors from the United States, Southeast Asia, and Taiwan. In 2019, Chinese customers accounted for 77.5% of foreign sales, but that figure has dropped to 48.5% in the first half of this year. Meanwhile, the share of American customers has risen from 1.1% to 19.1%, and other Asian countries have increased from 4.4% to 14.9%. The range of products purchased has expanded beyond luxury goods to include K-fashion, K-beauty, and food and beverage (F&B) items. In the first half of the year, foreign sales of luxury goods increased by 129.3%. Other categories also showed growth, including men's fashion (110.0%), women's fashion (89.4%), cosmetics (87.3%), and F&B (62.9%). Currently, over 300,000 members from more than 120 countries have signed up for Shinsegae's foreigner-exclusive membership program. The store is enhancing customer satisfaction through shopping discounts, benefits, and convenience services, while also steadily increasing repeat visits through data-driven personalized marketing. Differentiation strategies at individual stores are also contributing to the growth of foreign sales. The flagship store has strengthened its K-pop content in connection with the Myeongdong tourist area, establishing itself as a tourist attraction. Shinsegae Square features K-pop content from BTS and Boynextdoor, operating as a complex space that combines shopping and tourism. Currently, one in three visitors to the flagship store is a foreign tourist. The Gangnam branch is being developed into a global shopping hub by linking it with the Han River tourism infrastructure and food content. It has grown into a representative store attracting tourists from over 120 countries, showcasing unique culinary experiences at the House of Shinsegae Food Hall and Sweet Park. The Centum City branch is also experiencing rapid growth in foreign demand, driven by an increase in cruise tourists at Busan Port. In the first half of this year, foreign sales surged by 230%, marking the highest growth rate among the representative stores. In the second half of the year, Shinsegae plans to expand collaborations with the Korea Tourism Organization, Seoul Tourism Foundation, and the Korea Visit Year Committee, while strengthening tourism marketing targeting new markets in North America, Europe, and Taiwan. Additionally, the company aims to actively attract foreign customers through expanded collaborations with global payment platforms such as UnionPay, Alipay, Line Pay, and JCB, along with country-specific promotions. According to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the number of foreign tourists visiting Korea surpassed 10 million for the first time in the first half of this year, a month earlier than last year. During the same period, Incheon International Airport reported a 6.3% increase in passenger traffic, totaling 38,639,522. Park Joo-hyung, CEO of Shinsegae, stated, "We will continue to uphold our status as a K-shopping landmark through differentiated store competitiveness and overwhelming brand differentiation at our flagship store in Myeongdong, the Gangnam branch, and Centum City in Busan." * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-13 09:56:00