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  • Plastic Surgeons Penalized for Misleading Patient Reviews
    Plastic Surgeons Penalized for Misleading Patient Reviews 공정 당국이 수술비를 할인받는 대가로 작성한 성형 후기를 소비자가 자발적으로 작성한 것처럼 광고한 성형외과들을 제재했다. 공정거래위원회는 표시광고법 위반 혐의로 뷰성형외과와 에이비성형외과의원, 디에이성형외과 등 3개 성형외과에 시정명령을 부과했다고 12일 밝혔다. 이 가운데 뷰성형외과에는 공표명령도 함께 내려졌다. 공정위에 따르면 이들 성형외과는 2018년부터 올해 5월까지 홈페이지를 통해 홍보모델을 모집한 뒤 수술비 할인 등의 혜택을 제공하는 조건으로 의료미용 애플리케이션과 인터넷 카페 등에 상담 후기와 수술 후기를 작성하도록 했다. 하지만 후기에는 수술비 할인 등 경제적 대가를 받았다는 사실을 표시하지 않았다. 병원 홈페이지에 홍보모델들의 후기를 모아 게시하면서도 해당 사실을 알리지 않아 일반 소비자가 자발적으로 작성한 후기인 것처럼 인식하도록 했다는 것이 공정위 판단이다. 조사 결과 이들 성형외과는 홍보모델을 선발한 뒤 계약을 체결하고 카카오톡 등을 통해 후기 작성 여부를 관리했다. 글자 수와 사진 첨부 여부까지 안내하며 지속적으로 후기를 올리도록 했지만 경제적 대가를 받았다는 사실은 후기에 기재하도록 하지 않았다. 공정위는 이 같은 행위가 소비자의 합리적인 선택을 방해하는 기만적인 표시·광고에 해당한다고 보고 시정명령을 내렸다. 성형외과는 시술 여부를 결정하는 과정에서 온라인 후기의 영향력이 큰 업종인 만큼 후기의 객관성과 신뢰성이 중요하다는 게 공정위의 설명이다. 공정위는 이번 사건 조사 과정에서 확인한 의료법 위반 의심 사례는 보건복지부와 공유해 필요한 조치를 요청했다. 최근 성형외과를 선택하는 과정에서 온라인 후기의 영향력이 커진 만큼 공정위는 지난 6월 대한성형외과의사회와 대한의사협회 등을 대상으로 간담회를 열어 경제적 대가를 받은 후기 작성 시 이를 명확히 표시해야 한다는 표시광고법 준수 사항도 안내했다. 공정위 관계자는 "경제적 대가를 받고 작성한 후기라는 사실을 밝히지 않은 경우 실제 시술을 받은 소비자의 후기라도 기만 광고에 해당한다"며 "앞으로도 SNS와 온라인 플랫폼 등을 지속적으로 점검해 부당 광고를 엄정 제재하겠다"고 밝혔다.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-12 12:04:00
  • Over 100,000 Parents Took Parental Leave in First Half of 2026, Nearly 40% Male Participation
    Over 100,000 Parents Took Parental Leave in First Half of 2026, Nearly 40% Male Participation This year, the number of individuals receiving parental leave benefits surpassed 100,000 for the first time in the first half of the year. The proportion of male parental leave users also reached a record high of 38.8%, approaching 40%. The increase in the use of work-life balance support systems is attributed to the spread of co-parenting culture and improvements in government policies.The Ministry of Employment and Labor reported on July 12 that a total of 199,911 individuals utilized four major work-life balance support systems, including parental leave, reduced working hours for childcare, maternity and paternity leave, and spousal leave, in the first half of this year.This marks a 16.3% increase compared to the same period last year, when 171,966 individuals participated. With this year's numbers already surpassing half of last year's total annual users (342,388), the ministry anticipates that the annual figure could reach an all-time high if the current trend continues.Notably, the most widely used system, parental leave, continued to grow. In the first half of this year, 103,983 individuals received parental leave benefits, a 9.5% increase from the same period last year, marking the first time the number exceeded 100,000 for the first half of the year.Male participation in parental leave is steadily increasing. In the first half of this year, 40,320 men received parental leave benefits, accounting for 38.8% of the total. The male proportion first surpassed 30% in 2024, recorded 36.5% last year, and has now risen to 38.8% in the first half of this year.The use of spousal leave has also seen significant growth. In the first half of this year, 15,820 individuals received spousal leave benefits, an increase of about 53% compared to the same period last year (10,328). Spousal leave can be taken for up to 20 days within 120 days of the spouse's childbirth, with the government providing wage support for employees of priority support companies during the leave period.The ministry cited improvements in the system and reduced economic burdens as key factors behind the increase in parental leave. Following the introduction of the '6+6 Shared Parental Leave System' last year, the parental leave benefits were increased this year, and support for substitute workers and work-sharing funds was expanded, alleviating the burden on companies regarding workforce gaps.The government plans to further expand work-life balance systems in the second half of the year. Starting August 20, a new 'short-term parental leave' will be introduced for short-term caregiving needs, such as during children's vacations or illnesses. In September, new spousal leave for miscarriage and stillbirth will be established, and the timing for using spousal leave will be expanded to before childbirth, implementing what is referred to as the 'three-piece set of spousal support.' In November, the paid leave period for infertility treatment will be extended from the current two days to four days, with expanded government wage support.Kim Young-hoon, Minister of Employment and Labor, stated, "This result shows that the culture of work-life balance is gradually taking root in our society, and the co-parenting culture is also spreading. We will continue to improve the system so that all working parents, including those in small and medium-sized enterprises, special types of workers, and freelancers, can balance work and childcare."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-12 12:04:00
  • Travel Insurance: Delays May Not Guarantee Compensation
    Travel Insurance: Delays May Not Guarantee Compensation Even if a flight is delayed for several hours, travelers may not receive compensation from their travel insurance if they have not incurred any actual expenses. Damage to glasses or scratches on luggage are generally excluded from coverage.On July 12, the Financial Supervisory Service provided guidance on important considerations for travelers purchasing insurance during the summer vacation season, along with key dispute resolution cases.Travelers cannot receive duplicate compensation exceeding their actual losses, even if they hold multiple travel insurance policies. For instance, if a traveler claims 1 million won for overseas medical expenses under two different insurers with the same conditions, each insurer will pay 500,000 won.It is essential to understand the differences between the two types of flight delay compensation: 'fixed' and 'actual expense' compensation. Fixed compensation pays a set amount based on the duration of the delay as specified in the policy, while actual expense compensation reimburses travelers for food, lodging, and transportation costs incurred during the wait, up to a certain limit.In a recent dispute resolution case, a traveler faced a five-hour delay on their return flight but was excluded from receiving compensation because they had not incurred any additional expenses. The traveler had confused the fixed compensation for the outbound flight with the actual expense compensation for the return flight.In another instance, a flight was canceled due to a volcanic eruption, and the costs for transportation and snacks were not reimbursed. The traveler did not meet the policy's delay compensation criteria because they took a replacement flight that departed 1.5 hours later.Coverage for personal item damage is also limited. Compensation is available for accidental damage or theft, but simple loss due to negligence is not covered, even with documentation. Items like glasses and contact lenses are excluded from coverage.Cosmetic damage, such as scratches on a suitcase that do not affect its functionality, is also not eligible for compensation. If a borrowed suitcase is damaged, liability coverage may not apply.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-12 12:04:00
  • Koreas Insurance Development Institute Strengthens Climate and AI Collaboration with Malaysian Agency
    Korea's Insurance Development Institute Strengthens Climate and AI Collaboration with Malaysian Agency The Insurance Development Institute of Korea is enhancing collaboration with the Malaysian insurance service agency, ISM, through joint workshops focused on climate change, artificial intelligence (AI), and insurance fraud prevention.The institute announced on July 12 that it held a joint workshop with ISM in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, from July 9 to 10.This workshop is part of a practical cooperation program following a memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed in 2024. It moved beyond traditional training exchanges to a more interactive collaboration where both countries' insurance institutions shared experiences and expertise.The workshop was structured around three main topics at ISM's request: climate change response, big data analysis and utilization, and insurance fraud prevention.The Insurance Development Institute presented case studies on climate risk management, innovative insurance product development, data governance operations, and the use of external data. It also shared examples of detecting insurance fraud using AI, accident recorders, and accident video analysis, as well as natural language processing-based fraud detection technologies.ISM showcased its experiences in managing flood risk, its insurance fraud intelligence system, claims database operations, and data exchange platforms, highlighting the Malaysian insurance market's response strategies.Huh Chang-eon, president of the Insurance Development Institute, stated, "The challenges posed by climate change, the introduction of AI, and increasingly sophisticated insurance fraud are significant issues facing the global insurance industry. I hope this workshop will enhance the practical response capabilities of both countries."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-12 12:04:00
  • 114 Companies Caught Inflating Prices and Evading Taxes, 319.5 Billion Won Recovered
    114 Companies Caught Inflating Prices and Evading Taxes, 319.5 Billion Won Recovered In a climate of rising prices, numerous companies have been caught excessively inflating prices and failing to report taxes properly during investigations by the National Tax Service (NTS). Cases have been identified where companies exploited monopolistic positions or engaged in shrinkflation, effectively raising prices while diverting income through improper support to affiliates and outflows of funds to owners.On July 12, the NTS announced that it had recovered 319.5 billion won from 114 companies, following tax investigations conducted from September last year to February this year, targeting 117 companies suspected of tax evasion related to price instability.The investigation focused on companies that profited excessively from price hikes while failing to report income accurately, including monopolistic firms, colluding companies, those misusing foreign exchange and tariff allocations, as well as businesses in processed foods, agricultural products, essential goods, restaurant franchises, and funeral services.The total amount identified by the NTS was 769.8 billion won. Among the top 10 companies, the total tax amount recovered was 248 billion won, accounting for approximately 78% of the total recovery.In terms of categories, 9 monopolistic companies were responsible for 180.9 billion won in recoveries. Fifteen companies involved in foreign exchange misuse and tariff allocation accounted for 58.5 billion won, while 29 restaurant franchise headquarters were responsible for 35.9 billion won.Additionally, 34 companies in processed foods, agricultural products, and essential goods had recoveries totaling 20.4 billion won, while 17 funeral service companies accounted for 14 billion won. Ten colluding companies were responsible for 9.8 billion won in recoveries.The NTS confirmed 33 cases of tax violations, including tax evasion and the receipt of false tax invoices, with 13 of these cases referred for prosecution.In one notable case, a comprehensive food manufacturer used its dominant market position to raise product prices by about 5%. The investigation revealed that this company paid approximately 20 billion won in promotional incentives to distributors, disguising it as logistics costs. It was also found that the company improperly transferred about 15 billion won in profits to an affiliated company by overpaying for outsourced services, leading to a recovery of around 20 billion won.Another food manufacturer raised prices despite a decline in international raw material prices, exploiting its monopolistic position. This company was found to have improperly accounted for about 30 billion won in labor costs for dispatched workers and high-priced raw materials purchased from an affiliated company, resulting in a recovery of about 9 billion won.Instances of misusing tariff benefits were also uncovered. A beverage manufacturer circumvented quantity limits to receive tariff benefits by using a company registered under a retired employee's name to import raw materials and received false tax invoices. The NTS recovered over 7 billion won in related input tax credits and reported individuals involved in the issuance of false invoices.A large food and beverage franchise company effectively raised prices by reducing product sizes, a practice known as 'shrinkflation.' The investigation revealed that the company funneled profits through high-priced purchases from affiliated companies and covered promotional expenses for affiliates, resulting in an estimated tax evasion of about 70 billion won, leading to a recovery of approximately 20 billion won.A well-known coffee franchise raised coffee prices citing increased costs of imported beans, but it was revealed that about 2 billion won was funneled to the owner's family through processed payments. Additionally, it was found that the owner's children received about 4 billion won for real estate and stock purchases without reporting gift taxes, leading to a recovery of about 4 billion won.There were also cases of essential goods manufacturers inflating prices by several dozen percent while receiving false tax invoices without actually supplying goods or services. This company evaded about 3 billion won in corporate income tax, resulting in a recovery of about 2 billion won.Tax evasion was also detected in a funeral service company. A well-known funeral service provider raised prices by launching new products similar to existing ones while discontinuing the old ones. The investigation revealed that the company improperly supported affiliates by exceeding shared expenses by about 3 billion won and paid over 1 billion won in labor costs to family members and housekeepers who did not actually work, leading to a recovery of about 5 billion won.The NTS plans to continue monitoring monopolistic industries, sectors prone to collusion, and those closely related to people's livelihoods. Companies found to have excessively raised prices under the pretext of economic conditions while evading taxes will be immediately selected for investigation.During the investigation process, the NTS will utilize all available means, including temporary storage and tracking financial accounts, to verify tax evasion. If tax evasion or the receipt of false tax invoices is detected, strict measures will be taken in accordance with tax evasion laws.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-12 12:04:00
  • One Year After Corporate Law Revisions, 84% of Companies Report Changes in Board Operations
    One Year After Corporate Law Revisions, 84% of Companies Report Changes in Board Operations As the revised corporate law, which expands the duty of care for directors, marks its first anniversary, a recent survey indicates significant changes in the overall corporate management environment.On July 12, the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) released findings from a survey of 300 listed companies, revealing that 84.3% of respondents reported changes in their board operations since the law's revision.Specifically, 47.0% of companies indicated they have established or strengthened internal review processes, such as pre-review by legal and compliance teams. Additionally, 45.7% expanded consultations with external legal and accounting experts, while 43.7% detailed board meeting minutes to include individual directors' opinions. Other changes included the introduction or enhancement of pre-distribution and review procedures for agenda items (39.7%) and the formation of special committees (14.0%).When asked about the impact of these changes on corporate management, 39.6% of companies noted positive effects, such as increased accountability in decision-making and improved transparency in governance. Conversely, 22.4% reported increased compliance costs and delays in decision-making as burdens on their operations.The corporate law has undergone three revisions since last year. The first revision, which expanded the duty of care for directors, took effect immediately, while the increase in the proportion of independent directors is set to be implemented by the end of July this year, and the mandatory electronic shareholder meetings will take effect in January next year.Furthermore, the second revision mandates the implementation of cumulative voting and the separate election of audit committee members (from one to two) for listed companies with assets exceeding 2 trillion won, which will take effect in September this year. The third revision, which mandates the cancellation of treasury shares, has already been implemented.Concerns about increased litigation burdens have also been confirmed. More than half (53.7%) of listed companies reported heightened fears of shareholder derivative lawsuits and damage claims following the expansion of the duty of care for directors, while only 6.0% indicated a decrease in such concerns.Many companies are currently working on compliance with upcoming regulations. Ahead of the mandatory electronic shareholder meetings and the increase in the proportion of independent directors, a significant number of companies are in the process of establishing systems and reviewing candidates.Among listed companies with assets exceeding 2 trillion won, only 16.0% reported that they have completed the establishment of systems and operational frameworks for holding electronic shareholder meetings.For listed companies with assets between 100 billion and 2 trillion won, which must meet the new independent director appointment ratio requirement (from 1/4 to 1/3) by the end of July next year, 52.8% are currently working on candidate selection.Regarding the mandatory cancellation of treasury shares, 64.9% of companies holding shares subject to mandatory cancellation reported that they are still in the process of responding, while 35.1% stated they have completed approval for cancellation or plans for retention and disposal.Companies have expressed the urgent need for detailed policy support from the government and relevant agencies to ensure the new corporate law framework is effectively implemented. The most frequently cited area needing improvement was the specificity of guidelines regarding directors' duty of care in relation to union demands for profit distribution (37.3%). Other suggestions included the codification of management decision-making principles (20.3%) and support for legal and compliance training for on-site practitioners (12.7%).Choi Eun-rak, head of the KCCI's research division, stated, "Over the past year since the corporate law revision, companies have been changing their board operations and striving for compliance. For the system to take root effectively, it is essential not only for companies to make efforts but also for there to be concrete guidelines reflecting real-world cases and policy support that alleviates practical burdens."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-12 12:04:00
  • Iran Launches Attacks on U.S. Targets in the Middle East
    Iran Launches Attacks on U.S. Targets in the Middle East Iran has reportedly initiated a series of attacks targeting U.S. positions in the Middle East.On July 12, Russian news agency RIA Novosti cited Iran's state broadcaster Press TV, stating that Iran has conducted a series of strikes against U.S. targets in the region. Specific details regarding the targets, methods, and any casualties have not been disclosed.This escalation comes amid heightened military tensions between the U.S. and Iran surrounding the Strait of Hormuz.Previously, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced that it had fired warning shots at a vessel attempting to navigate an unauthorized route, which did not heed warnings to change course. The IRGC declared it would close the Strait of Hormuz and prohibit all shipping traffic until U.S. intervention in the region ceases.In response, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) identified the vessel as the Cypriot-flagged container ship 'M/V GFS Galaxy,' claiming that one civilian crew member went missing due to the IRGC's attack, which also caused a fire onboard and damage to the engine room.Following this incident, CENTCOM announced the commencement of its third airstrike against Iran this week. Reports indicate that Iran has since launched attacks on U.S. targets in the Middle East, suggesting a further escalation in hostilities between the two sides.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-12 11:40:00
  • First Major Heat Warning Issued for Gyeongsan and Pohang
    First Major Heat Warning Issued for Gyeongsan and Pohang 경북 경산시와 포항시에 사상 첫 폭염중대경보가 내려졌다.기상청은 12일 오전 10시 경산과 포항에 폭염중대경보를 발표하고, 오전 11시부터 발효한다고 밝혔다. 폭염중대경보는 기존 폭염경보보다 한 단계 높은 폭염특보로, 지난달 1일 새로 도입된 뒤 실제 발령된 것은 이번이 처음이다.폭염중대경보는 일 최고체감온도가 35도 이상인 날이 이틀 이상 이어지는 지역에서 최고체감온도 38도 이상 또는 최고기온 39도 이상인 날이 하루 이상 나타날 것으로 예상될 때 발령된다. 폭염특보 체계가 개편된 것은 18년 만이다.기상청은 이날 경산과 포항의 최고체감온도가 38도 이상, 일부 지역의 최고기온은 39도 이상으로 오를 것으로 내다봤다. 오전 10시 기준 경산 하양의 최고체감온도는 34.0도, 포항 기계는 33.7도를 기록했다.전날에도 경산과 포항에서는 기온이 크게 올랐다. 경산 중방동은 37.9도, 하양읍은 39.9도까지 치솟았다. 포항 기계면의 기온도 37.2도를 기록했다. 이날 하양읍과 기계면의 최고기온은 39도 안팎까지 오를 것으로 예상됐다.이번 극심한 더위는 북태평양고기압과 티베트고기압이 한반도 상공을 겹겹이 덮은 가운데 고온의 남풍이 산을 넘어 경북 남부로 불어오는 푄현상까지 더해진 영향으로 분석된다.폭염중대경보가 발령된 지역에서는 야외활동과 작업을 즉시 멈추거나 최소화해야 한다. 외부에 있는 경우 무더위쉼터나 그늘 등 시원한 장소로 이동해 물을 마시고 충분히 휴식해야 한다. 혼자 사는 고령자와 어린이 등 폭염 취약계층의 상태도 확인할 필요가 있다.폭염중대경보 기준을 충족하는 더위는 사망 위험도 높이는 것으로 나타났다. 질병관리청이 2016년부터 2024년까지 기온 관측자료와 사망원인 자료를 분석한 결과, 최고체감온도 38도 이상 또는 최고기온 39도 이상일 때 사망 상대위험은 평소의 1.16배로 증가했다.기상청은 경산과 포항 외에도 전국 대부분 지역에서 무더위가 이어지고 있다며 온열질환 예방과 건강관리에 각별히 유의해달라고 당부했다.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-12 11:36:00
  • Kim Geon-hees Supreme Court Ruling Set for July 16 Amid Yoon Suk-yeols Appeal
    Kim Geon-hee's Supreme Court Ruling Set for July 16 Amid Yoon Suk-yeol's Appeal The Supreme Court ruling on Kim Geon-hee's appeal and the first-instance ruling for former President Yoon Suk-yeol are set to draw significant attention to the courts in Seocho-dong this week.According to legal sources on July 12, the Supreme Court's Second Division, led by Justice Park Young-jae, will deliver its ruling on Kim Geon-hee's appeal at 10:15 a.m. on July 16. She faces charges of violating the Capital Markets Act and the Political Fund Act, as well as allegations of bribery under the Special Act.Kim has been on trial for her involvement in stock manipulation related to Deutsche Motors, receiving luxury goods from the Unification Church, and obtaining illegal polling results from Nam Tae-kyun. The appellate court overturned some of the first-instance court's not guilty verdicts, finding her guilty of stock manipulation and bribery, sentencing her to four years in prison and a fine of 50 million won. However, the court acquitted her of the charges related to Nam. The special prosecutor's team had previously sought a 15-year prison sentence for Kim in both the first and second trials.At the same time, the Supreme Court's Second Division, presided over by Justice Eom Sang-pil, will also rule on the appeal of Kwon Seong-dong, a member of the People Power Party, who was sentenced to two years in prison and ordered to return 100 million won for receiving funds from the Unification Church. If the Supreme Court upholds the original ruling, Kwon will lose his parliamentary seat under the National Assembly Act and the Public Election Act, triggering a by-election in his constituency of Gangneung.Before Kim's Supreme Court ruling, the Seoul Central District Court's Criminal Division 33, led by Judge Lee Jin-kwan, will hold a first-instance ruling on July 13 regarding Yoon Suk-yeol's alleged violation of the Political Fund Act. Yoon is accused of receiving free polling services from Nam for his presidential campaign. The special prosecutor's team has sought a four-year prison sentence for Yoon and a three-year sentence for Nam.On July 15, the first preparatory hearing for the appeal of Yoon Suk-yeol and former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun, who were sentenced to 30 years in prison for leading the 'Pyongyang drone operation' on charges of treason and abuse of power, will take place at the Seoul High Court's Criminal Division 1, presided over by Judge Yoon Seong-sik. They are accused of conducting military operations to create a pretext for declaring a state of emergency, thereby harming military interests.Additionally, on July 16, the Seoul High Court's Criminal Division 13 will also rule on the second-instance case of former special prosecutor Park Young-soo, who is charged with violating the Anti-Corruption Act by receiving a Porsche rental car and seafood from a fake fisheries businessman. Supporters of former President Yoon are expected to gather in large numbers in Seocho-dong this week, heightening tensions both inside and outside the court.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-12 11:24:00
  • South Korea Expands Defense and Mineral Diplomacy at NATO and Mongolia
    South Korea Expands Defense and Mineral Diplomacy at NATO and Mongolia 이재명 대통령이 북대서양조약기구(NATO·나토) 정상회의 참석과 몽골 국빈 방문을 마치고 귀국했다. 3박 5일이라는 짧은 일정이었지만 성과는 분명했다. 나토에서는 K-방산의 진출 기반을 넓혔고, 몽골에서는 희토류를 비롯한 핵심광물 공급망 협력의 틀을 마련했다. 안보와 산업, 자원과 통상을 함께 묶은 이번 순방은 한국 외교가 앞으로 무엇을 국가 자산으로 만들어야 하는지를 보여줬다. 나토 정상회의에서 가장 눈에 띄는 성과는 한·나토 조달기본협정 협상 개시다. 협정이 체결되면 한국 방산기업이 나토 공동조달시장에 참여할 수 있는 제도적 기반이 마련된다. 나토 회원국들은 국방비 지출을 대폭 확대하기로 했고, 유럽 각국은 러시아·우크라이나 전쟁 이후 무기체계와 군수물자 확보에 속도를 내고 있다. 한국 방산업계에는 일시적인 특수가 아니라 장기 시장이 열리고 있는 것이다. K2 전차와 K9 자주포, FA-50 경공격기 등은 이미 해외시장에서 경쟁력을 입증했다. 그러나 개별 국가와 맺는 수출 계약만으로는 한계가 있다. 나토의 조달 체계에 진입해야 시장 규모와 지속성을 확보할 수 있다. 방산 수출은 완제품 판매로 끝나지 않는다. 현지 생산과 정비, 부품 공급, 기술 협력으로 이어져 장기간 산업 생태계를 만든다. 정부가 조달협정 체결과 금융 지원, 후속 군수 체계까지 함께 챙겨야 하는 이유다. 도널드 트럼프 미국 대통령과 미국 군함 건조 협력의 후속 논의를 이어가기로 한 것도 의미가 작지 않다. 미국은 해군력 증강이 시급하지만 조선소와 숙련 인력 부족에 어려움을 겪고 있다. 한국은 세계 최고 수준인 선박 건조 기술과 생산능력을 보유하고 있다. 양국의 이해가 맞아떨어지는 분야다. 군함 건조 협력이 현실화하면 조선업과 방산업을 동시에 끌어올리는 새로운 한·미 산업동맹의 축이 될 수 있다. 몽골 방문에서는 핵심광물 공급망 확보를 위한 발판을 마련했다. 양국이 포괄적경제동반자협정(CEPA)을 원칙적으로 타결하면서 몽골산 희토류와 구리 등 주요 자원에 대한 관세 철폐 가능성이 열렸다. 반도체와 배터리, 전기차, AI 산업은 핵심광물 없이는 유지될 수 없다. 특정 국가에 대한 의존도가 높을수록 공급 중단과 가격 급등 위험도 커진다. 핵심광물은 이제 원자재가 아니라 경제안보의 핵심 자산이다. 몽골은 풍부한 광물 자원과 넓은 국토를 가진 국가다. 한국은 정제와 가공, 제조업에서 강점을 갖고 있다. 자원 개발과 운송, 정제, 소재 생산을 연결하면 양국 모두에 도움이 되는 협력 구조를 만들 수 있다. 울란바타르와 하르허롬을 잇는 고속철도망, 철도교통 관제센터 구축 등 인프라 협력도 이러한 자원 협력의 기반이 될 수 있다. 다만 정상회담의 합의만으로 방산 수출과 광물 공급망이 완성되는 것은 아니다. 나토 조달시장에는 기술 기준과 보안 요건, 현지 생산 조건 등 높은 장벽이 있다. 몽골의 광물 역시 개발과 운송, 정제 과정에 상당한 시간과 비용이 필요하다. CEPA의 조속한 발효와 함께 정부·기업·금융기관이 참여하는 실행 체계를 갖춰야 한다. 외교의 성과는 공동선언문의 문장보다 실제 계약과 투자, 공급망으로 평가받는다. 이번 순방에서 확보한 방산과 핵심광물 협력의 기회를 일회성 성과로 끝내서는 안 된다. 방산은 수출산업으로, 핵심광물은 첨단산업의 기반으로 키워야 한다. 두 분야를 대한민국 외교의 새로운 자산으로 축적하는 일은 이제 시작이다.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-12 11:20:00