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  • Go Ji-woo Wins Wire-to-Wire at High1 Resort Womens Open
    Go Ji-woo Wins Wire-to-Wire at High1 Resort Women's Open The 'High1 Resort Women's Open 2026,' a highlight of the Korea Ladies Professional Golf Association (KLPGA) Tour, concluded with Go Ji-woo's wire-to-wire victory.According to High1 Resort, the tournament wrapped up on July 12 at the High1 Country Club in Jeongseon, Gangwon Province, where Go recorded a total score of 22-under 270 to lift the championship trophy.Starting as a co-leader in the first round, Go maintained her position at the top of the leaderboard throughout the four-day event, showcasing exceptional performance. This victory marks her first win of the season and her fourth career title on the KLPGA Tour.Notably, Go's win comes after her victory at this tournament in 2024, highlighting her special connection with High1 Resort. She has achieved all four of her career wins at events held in the Gangwon Province.In a competitive final day, Park Hye-jun and Sung Yu-jin finished tied for second place with a total score of 17-under 275.Since its inception in 2008, the High1 Resort Women's Open has become a key event on the KLPGA Tour, celebrating its 15th edition this year. The tournament attracts golf fans every summer, thanks to the pristine environment and natural scenery of the course, located at an average altitude of 1,100 meters.This year's event was themed 'A Wellness Resort with Diverse Healing,' combining golf, tourism, and wellness culture into an experiential sports festival. The tournament expanded its programs to encourage participation from vacationing tourists and local residents.The event gained attention for linking sports activities with community development. Through tourism packages in collaboration with Korail and local business initiatives, as well as the operation of the 'High1 Night Market,' visitors from across the country were drawn to Jeongseon. During the tournament, participating teams and spectators contributed to the local economy by spending in the mining areas of Jeongseon, Taebaek, Yeongwol, and Samcheok.At the gallery plaza in front of the clubhouse, various interactive sports programs were held, including screen putting and a soccer shuffle challenge, along with player autograph sessions and high-five events. The night market held on Friday and Saturday, featuring barbecue programs by Chef Yoo Yong-wook, also attracted many visitors.Lee Min-ho, acting head of the tourism marketing division at Gangwon Land, stated, 'The High1 Resort Women's Open is a highland sports content that combines sports and tourism. We will continue to offer differentiated events to elevate our status as a global complex resort while contributing to the development of mining areas.'* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-13 09:24:00
  • Shinhan Investment Raises SK Telecom Target Price to 100,000 Won
    Shinhan Investment Raises SK Telecom Target Price to 100,000 Won Shinhan Investment Corp. has raised its target price for SK Telecom to 100,000 won, citing the potential for increased corporate value from Entropic and the possibility of a multiple re-rating in its core data center business.In a report released on July 13, analyst Kim Ah-ram stated, "Given the current stock price level, which is 29% lower than its peak, the upside risk outweighs the downside risk."Kim projected that SK Telecom's second-quarter revenue and operating profit would reach 4.36 trillion won (up 0.5% year-on-year) and 530.1 billion won (up 56.7% year-on-year), respectively, aligning with the consensus estimate of 530.7 billion won for operating profit. He noted that considering the one-time costs of approximately 190 billion won related to last year's hacking incident (including SIM card replacements and compensation for agents), the performance is commendable.He added, "The company is recovering quickly from the hacking incident. After losing about 750,000 subscribers following the April 2022 breach, it is estimated that around 300,000 subscribers have been regained in the first and second quarters." He also forecasted that SK Broadband would achieve a record operating profit of 120.1 billion won (up 30.8% year-on-year).Furthermore, he mentioned that the integration effects from the acquisition of the Pangyo data center from SK C&C last year would continue, along with the impact of renewing existing data center contracts, which are expected to result in increased rental fees.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-13 09:24:00
  • Unionized workers at Hyundai Motor begin partial strike as wage talks stall
    Unionized workers at Hyundai Motor begin partial strike as wage talks stall SEOUL, July 13 (AJP) - Unionized workers at Hyundai Motor began a partial strike on Monday after wage negotiations with management broke down. The walkout marks the union's first strike this year and the second consecutive year it has gone on strike. Under the three-day strike plan, which runs through Wednesday with two-hour partial strikes each day, production staff on the morning shift will stop work two hours early at 1:30 p.m., while workers on the afternoon shift will also end their shifts two hours ahead of their normal finishing time. Industry officials estimate the disruption could cost more than 18.7 billion won (about US$13.5 million) in lost output per hour as assembly lines sit idle. Hyundai Motor and the union have held 15 rounds of wage negotiations this year but remain divided over key issues including the scale of pay increases. Management's latest proposal includes an 89,000-won increase in monthly base pay, a performance bonus equivalent to 350 percent of monthly salary plus an additional 10 million won, and 15 shares of company stock. But the union rejected the offer as insufficient. In addition to wages and compensation, the union is also seeking to have the retirement age extended and workers fired over past labor disputes reinstated. Despite the strike, both sides are continuing behind-the-scenes negotiations in an effort to reach a settlement and avoid a prolonged labor dispute. 2026-07-13 09:23:01
  • Türkiye rises from failed coup to global bridge
    Türkiye rises from failed coup to global bridge SEOUL, July 13 (AJP) - Ten years ago this Wednesday, fighter jets bombed the Turkish parliament and tanks rolled onto the bridge spanning the Bosphorus. The coup attempt of July 15, 2016, was designed to break the Turkish state in a single night. Instead, it collapsed by morning, defeated by ordinary citizens who walked toward the tanks, and the decade that followed turned the country that survived it into one of the few states trusted to stand between the world's warring powers. Türkiye marks the anniversary as Democracy and National Unity Day, with commemorations in all 81 provinces and at diplomatic missions abroad under the theme "The Will Is Ours, Victory Is Ours." In Istanbul, 253 boats will sail the Marmara Sea and a Quran recitation by 253 memorizers will be held at Hagia Sophia, one for each person the state counts among the dead. The main ceremony takes place in the Saraçhane district, where some of the heaviest civilian casualties occurred. What happened that night was rare in the history of coups. Most are settled among elites, and the public learns the outcome on the morning news. In Türkiye, the outcome was decided in the streets. After President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan called on citizens to resist, speaking by video link on a news anchor's phone, crowds surrounded military units in Istanbul and Ankara. Unarmed men and women climbed onto tanks. Some were shot doing so. At least 251 people were killed and more than 2,000 wounded in a single night, and the coup was finished before dawn. Ankara attributes the attempt to the movement of Fethullah Gülen, a cleric who lived in self-imposed exile in Pennsylvania from 1999 until his death in October 2024. Gülen was once an ally of Erdoğan, and his movement ran schools, media outlets, and businesses in dozens of countries while its followers rose through the Turkish judiciary, police, and military over decades. The two men broke publicly in 2013, and after the coup attempt, the government designated the network a terrorist organization, calling it the Fethullahist Terrorist Organization, or FETÖ. Gülen denied any role until his death. The years that followed brought one of the largest purges in the republic's history, with tens of thousands of soldiers, judges, prosecutors, teachers, and civil servants dismissed or detained, a crackdown whose scale drew criticism from Western governments. But the deeper legacy of July 15 is not the purge. It is what the night proved about the country itself. A state that survives a coup through the will of its own people acquires something most nations never get to test, a certainty about where legitimacy lives. The crowds that filled the squares that night came from across Türkiye's political spectrum, secular and religious, left and right, government supporters and opponents, united on the single point that soldiers do not decide who governs. That unity became strategic capital, and Ankara has spent 10 years converting it into power. The conversion is measurable. Türkiye concluded after 2016 that its security could not be outsourced and built a defense industry that has moved from near dependence on foreign suppliers to ranking among the world's significant arms exporters, with its drones fielded in conflicts from North Africa to Ukraine. It pursued an independent foreign policy that kept channels open to actors its allies refused to touch, absorbing American sanctions over its purchase of Russian air defense systems rather than backing down. The bet was that a nation confident in its own cohesion could afford to stand between blocs rather than inside one. In the disorder of the 2020s, that bet is paying off. Consider the world of July 2026. The war in Ukraine grinds through its fifth year. A war between the United States, Israel, and Iran has shaken the Middle East and rattled energy markets. The transatlantic alliance is strained over burden-sharing as Washington draws down forces in Europe. In this landscape, Türkiye is the only NATO member that talks regularly to both Kyiv and Moscow. It brokered the Black Sea grain deal that moved more than 30 million tons of grain through the blockade, hosted the Istanbul talks that produced prisoner exchanges of 1,000 captives on each side, and has repeatedly offered to host leader-level negotiations. When the Iran war broke out, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan flew between Gulf capitals arguing that the region must own its security, and Ankara positioned itself as a channel between Washington and Tehran. Geography underwrites the diplomacy. Türkiye sits on the strait that separates Europe from Asia and controls, under the Montreux Convention, the only maritime passage into the Black Sea, a power it has used to keep Russian warships from reinforcing their fleet. It anchors the Middle Corridor, the overland trade route linking China and Central Asia to Europe that has grown sharply in importance as the northern route through Russia became untenable. Goods, gas, grain, and refugees all pass through or past Turkish territory. In calm times this makes Türkiye a transit country. In chaotic times it makes Türkiye a gatekeeper, and the times are chaotic. The symbolism of this month made the point plainly. NATO held its summit in Ankara on July 7 and 8, the first ever in the Turkish capital, one week before the coup anniversary. Ten years ago, jets flown by putschists bombed the parliament. This month, leaders of all 32 allied nations gathered a few kilometers away, and US President Donald Trump praised his host and pledged to lift the sanctions imposed over the Russian air defense purchase. The summit's defense industry forum was the largest in the alliance's history, held in a country that a decade earlier was purging its own officer corps. Among the guests was South Korean President Lee Jae-myung, one of only two non-NATO heads of state invited alongside Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelenskyy. His presence was itself evidence of Türkiye's pull. South Korea, a trading nation at the far end of Asia whose prosperity depends on open sea lanes and functioning supply chains, has been investing steadily in the connector country. Lee made a state visit to Ankara last November, the first by a South Korean president in 13 years, marking the 75th anniversary of Türkiye's entry into the Korean War, in which some 21,000 Turkish troops fought and more than 900 died. The two presidents met for 103 minutes, upgraded the strategic partnership through a joint statement, and signed agreements covering nuclear power, veterans affairs, and infrastructure, giving South Korea a foothold in Türkiye's planned second nuclear plant at Sinop. For Seoul, whose defense firms are pushing into European markets, Türkiye is both a partner and a proof of concept, a country that built an arms industry from dependence to global reach within a generation. None of this settles the arguments about Türkiye's internal politics, which remain contested at home and abroad. But the trajectory since July 15 is difficult to dispute. The night that was meant to break the Turkish state instead fused it, and the country that emerged has converted that cohesion into a position no rival can easily replicate, the indispensable middle, holding the door between Europe and Asia at the moment the world needs someone to hold it. On Wednesday night in Saraçhane, where crowds faced gunfire a decade ago, the names of the dead will be read aloud, as they have been every July 15 since 2016. One week earlier and a few hundred kilometers away, the leaders of 32 nations stood on Turkish soil to plan the defense of two continents. The distance between those two gatherings is 10 years, and the same crowds made both possible. 2026-07-13 09:21:20
  • Israel to Hold General Election on October 27, Testing Netanyahus Leadership
    Israel to Hold General Election on October 27, Testing Netanyahu's Leadership Israel will hold a general election on October 27. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's leadership is expected to be tested amid declining approval ratings following the war in Gaza and tensions with Iran.According to AFP on July 12, the Knesset (Israel's parliament) announced that the current assembly will complete its term by July 17, and the election will take place as scheduled by law on October 27.The Knesset stated, "Since the current assembly will complete its term and the date for the next election is set by law, there is no need for a dissolution bill to shorten the parliamentary term." This marks the first time in decades that the ruling coalition will complete a full four-year term.Netanyahu, Israel's longest-serving prime minister, has already announced his candidacy for re-election and expressed confidence in his victory. AFP noted that this election could significantly impact Netanyahu's future political standing.However, recent polls indicate that public sentiment is not favorable toward Netanyahu. A survey conducted by the Hebrew University of Jerusalem showed his approval rating dropping from 40.5% in early March to 29.4% in June. Over 92% of respondents believe Iran has emerged victorious in the Middle Eastern conflict.The responsibility for security failures in failing to prevent the surprise attack by the Palestinian militant group Hamas on October 7, 2023, continues to weigh heavily on Netanyahu. Key election issues are expected to include the military service of ultra-Orthodox Jewish men, judicial reforms, ongoing corruption trials, and governance plans for Gaza post-conflict.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-13 09:16:00
  • Debate Over Abolishing Prosecutorial Supplementary Investigation Powers Intensifies
    Debate Over Abolishing Prosecutorial Supplementary Investigation Powers Intensifies The debate surrounding the abolition of supplementary investigation powers for prosecutors continues, with renewed attention on an 80-year-old illiterate woman's theft case that was resolved through such investigations. Notably, concerns have emerged from women-centered progressive online communities, which argue that without these powers, vulnerable victims may face greater risks.Recently, a case study produced by the Ministry of Justice has circulated in online communities. The study details how a case initially closed by the police due to lack of evidence was reopened by prosecutors through supplementary investigations, leading to the arrest and indictment of the suspect.According to the case presented by the Ministry of Justice, a 40-year-old housekeeper, referred to as A, is accused of stealing approximately 130 million won (about $110,000) from an 80-year-old illiterate woman by using her bank account and cash card. The victim reported the disappearance of her money to the police, but they concluded the case, stating that the evidence was insufficient.Subsequently, prosecutors initiated supplementary investigations, focusing on three key questions: whether the illiterate victim could independently use an ATM for repeated withdrawals and transfers, whether the number of withdrawals was abnormally high, and the final flow of the missing funds.Prosecutors traced the accounts of A and her family, confirming the flow of the victim's money. They also visited the bank with the victim to verify her ability to use the ATM. During separate interrogations of the victim and A, inconsistencies in A's statements regarding the timing of the withdrawals were identified.Ultimately, prosecutors arrested and indicted A on charges of theft and computer fraud.Following the publication of this case, progressive women-centered communities expressed significant concerns about the abolition of supplementary investigation powers.One user commented, "If such incidents occur, we might hear that 'the transaction records are in the victim's name, so we can no longer investigate,' or 'the victim was negligent, so it's their responsibility,' leading to the case being closed. Isn't the supplementary investigation essentially the last resort for justice?"Another user noted, "The ones who will suffer the most from the abolition of supplementary investigation powers are ordinary citizens and women," referencing the Busan kicking incident. They explained that while the police initially focused on serious injury charges, supplementary investigations by prosecutors later led to charges of attempted murder. "Without supplementary investigations, the case could have ended with a much lighter sentence," they argued.They added, "If the police close a case, there may be no mechanism to review it, and regardless of political stance, we need to maintain checks and balances."Other comments included sentiments such as, "Supplementary investigation powers are a final safety net," "Abolishing the prosecution does not guarantee justice," and "Power must be checked by other powers; the judicial system should operate on checks and balances, not emotions."Similar reactions emerged from conservative male-dominated communities.Users commented, "A structure of mutual checks is necessary," "It’s too risky to abolish first and fix problems later," and "We should prioritize the public's welfare over political logic."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-13 09:12:00
  • July 1-10 Exports Reach Record $29.8 Billion, Driven by Semiconductor Sales
    July 1-10 Exports Reach Record $29.8 Billion, Driven by Semiconductor Sales 7.1 to 10 exports reached $29.839 billion, marking the highest level for this period. Semiconductor exports surged nearly threefold compared to a year ago, driving overall export growth.The Customs Office announced on July 13 that the export amount for July 1-10 (preliminary customs data) was $29.839 billion, a 53.9% increase from the same period last year. This is the highest performance recorded for this timeframe, surpassing the previous record of $28.6 billion set in June 1-10.Considering the number of working days, the average daily export amount was $3.51 billion, also up 53.9%. The number of working days during this period was 8.5, the same as last year.Semiconductors were the main driver of exports, with semiconductor exports reaching $11.207 billion, a 193% increase. This is the highest figure recorded for this period. Semiconductors accounted for 37.6% of total exports, up 17.8 percentage points from a year ago.Exports of computer peripherals surged 208.1% due to increased demand and rising prices for solid-state drives (SSDs) used in artificial intelligence (AI) servers. Exports of petroleum products rose 22.7%, ships increased by 75.1%, steel products grew by 12.9%, and passenger cars saw a 5.7% increase, all contributing to the export growth. However, exports of automotive parts fell by 11.7%.By country, exports to major markets such as China (up 88.7%), the United States (up 43.2%), Vietnam (up 92.8%), the European Union (up 28.9%), and Taiwan (up 49.7%) all increased. The combined share of the top three countries—China, the United States, and Vietnam—accounted for 51.7% of total exports.During the same period, imports rose 17.4% year-on-year to $23.48 billion.By category, imports of semiconductors (up 49.6%), gas (up 24.8%), machinery (up 7.8%), and semiconductor manufacturing equipment (up 49.5%) all increased.Notably, energy imports (crude oil, gas, and coal) rose by 23.4% compared to last year.The import value of crude oil increased by 19% to $2.941 billion, influenced by the Middle East conflict and high exchange rates.Imports from China (up 25.1%), the United States (up 4.7%), Japan (up 7.6%), and Taiwan (up 57.6%) all increased, while imports from the European Union decreased by 4.4%.With exports exceeding imports, the trade balance recorded a surplus of $6.359 billion.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-13 09:12:00
  • Hyundais New Elantra N TCR Wins Third Season Title in Portugal
    Hyundai's New Elantra N TCR Wins Third Season Title in Portugal Hyundai Motor Company continued its upward trajectory by securing its third victory of the season in the prestigious TCR World Tour.The company announced on July 13 that its 'New Elantra N TCR' won the fourth round of the 2026 TCR World Tour, held at the Vila Real Internacional Circuit in Portugal on July 11-12 (local time).The TCR World Tour is a customer racing event where professional racing teams purchase and compete with manufacturer vehicles, as direct participation from manufacturers is prohibited.The Vila Real Internacional Circuit, where the event took place, is considered one of the most challenging street circuits in the world due to its narrow track width, limited run-off areas, and complex corners.Norbert Michelisz of the 'BRC Hyundai N Squadra Corse' team, competing in the New Elantra N TCR, clinched first place in the second final race held on July 12, bringing victory to his team.With his second final win, Michelisz earned 30 points, adding to the 18 points he secured by finishing fifth in the first final race, totaling 48 points for the round.Team member Mikel Azcona finished second in the first final and twelfth in the second final, accumulating a total of 44 points, including 15 points from qualifying, maintaining his second place in the season driver standings.As of this round, BRC Hyundai N Squadra Corse has recorded a total of 424 points, keeping them in second place in the team standings. The fifth round of the TCR World Tour is scheduled to take place from October 2 to 4 at the Inje Speedium in Gangwon Province.A Hyundai official stated, "We are pleased to achieve top results again based on our past victories, and we will do our best to continue this success for the remainder of the season."Meanwhile, Hyundai is expanding its high-performance 'N' brand. The brand was officially launched in 2015 at the Frankfurt Motor Show with the introduction of the 'N 2025 Vision Gran Turismo,' followed by the release of production models such as the Veloster N, Kona N, and Elantra N.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-13 09:08:00
  • President Lees Approval Rating Rises to 48.9% for Second Consecutive Week
    President Lee's Approval Rating Rises to 48.9% for Second Consecutive Week 이재명 대통령의 국정수행 지지율이 48.9%를 기록하며 2주 연속 상승했다는 여론조사 결과가 13일 나왔다. 리얼미터가 에너지경제신문 의뢰로 지난 6일부터 10일(7월 2주)까지 전국 18세 이상 유권자 2515명을 대상으로 조사한 결과 이 대통령의 국정수행 지지도는 48.9%로 지난주보다 1.9%포인트(p) 상승했다. 이 대통령 지지율은 5월 2주 60.5%에서 6월 4주 46.5%로 6주 연속 하락했다. 지난 조사에서 반등해 2주 연속 상승했다. 4주 연속 40%대에 머무르고 있다. ‘잘못함’이라고 응답한 부정 평가는 47.7%로 1.5%p 감소했다. ‘잘 모름’은 3.4%였다. 리얼미터 측은 “나토 정상회의 참석과 연쇄 정상회담을 통해 한·나토 방위산업 파트너십을 격상하고 방산 수출 확대의 발판을 마련하는 등 가시적인 외교·안보 성과를 거둔 점이 지지율 상승을 견인한 요인으로 풀이된다”고 분석했다. 또한 지난 9일부터 10일까지 전국 18세 이상 유권자 1002명을 대상으로 한 정당 지지도 조사에서는 민주당이 1.8%p 상승한 44.8%, 국민의힘이 2.2% 하락한 38.1%로 집계됐다. 양당 격차는 6.7%p로 4주 만에 다시 오차범위 밖으로 벌어졌다. 이어 개혁신당 3.7%, 조국혁신당 2.7%, 진보당 0.6% 등의 순이었다. 기타 정당은 1.8%, 무당층은 8.2%였다. 두 조사 모두 무선(100%) 자동응답 방식으로 이뤄졌다. 대통령 국정수행 지지도 조사의 표본오차는 95% 신뢰수준에서 ±2.0%p, 정당 지지도 조사의 표본오차는 95% 신뢰수준에서 ±3.1%p다. 응답률은 각각 3.8%, 3.3%였다. 자세한 내용은 중앙선거여론조사심의위원회 홈페이지에서 확인할 수 있다.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-13 09:08:00
  • Daehan Electric Wire Accelerates Localization of Dynamic Cables in Partnership with Myongji University
    Daehan Electric Wire Accelerates Localization of Dynamic Cables in Partnership with Myongji University Daehan Electric Wire is accelerating its technological and quality competitiveness in the submarine cable sector through collaboration with specialized research institutions. On July 10, Daehan Electric Wire announced that it signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Myongji University's Hybrid Structural Testing Center for structural performance verification of submarine cables. The signing ceremony was attended by key officials from both sides, including Kim Hyun-joo, Executive Vice President of Production and Technology at Daehan Electric Wire, Hong Dong-seok, Director of the Technology Research Institute, and Kwon Seung-hee, Director of Myongji University, along with Han Jong-wook, Head of the Center. This agreement aims to enhance the verification system for the structural performance of submarine cables and establish a foundation for collaborative research on related technologies. The two parties plan to jointly conduct structural performance tests and evaluations for industrial products, including power and communication cables, and expand their technical cooperation. Myongji University's Hybrid Structural Testing Center is a specialized research institution that conducts performance evaluations of structures and products using advanced measurement systems and large-scale equipment to simulate real-world environments. Submarine cables must operate for extended periods in extreme underwater conditions, making thorough environmental simulation verification and reliability essential. With this agreement, Daehan Electric Wire has established a foundation to swiftly handle the development, performance evaluation, and certification of 'dynamic cables' to meet the demands of the floating offshore wind market domestically. The company is also focusing on expanding its production bases and securing independent construction capabilities. Daehan Electric Wire is currently constructing its second submarine cable factory in Dangjin, South Chungcheong Province, and has secured a dedicated laying vessel, the 'Scandi Connector,' capable of handling 11,000 tons of submarine cable, as part of its comprehensive investment in production, construction, and verification infrastructure to expand its submarine and high-voltage direct current (HVDC) business. A representative from Daehan Electric Wire stated, "Quality verification capabilities are a core competitive advantage in the global submarine cable market," adding, "We will continue to expand our research and development and testing infrastructure investments to ensure product reliability that meets global standards and elevate our capabilities in submarine and HVDC businesses."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-13 09:08:00