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  • Trump Announces End of Ceasefire with Iran, Tehran Refuses to Surrender
    Trump Announces End of Ceasefire with Iran, Tehran Refuses to Surrender President Donald Trump announced on July 10 that he has informed Iran of the end of the ceasefire.In a post on the social media platform Truth Social, Trump stated, "The Islamic Republic of Iran asked us to continue 'dialogue.' We agreed to this, but the United States firmly declared that the ceasefire is over."This announcement appears to formalize comments made during the NATO summit held in Ankara, Turkey, on July 7-8.Earlier, on July 8, Trump mentioned in a meeting with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg that the ceasefire memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Iran seems to be "over." However, he left open the possibility that the U.S. delegation could engage in dialogue with Iran.On July 7, Iran attacked a civilian oil tanker in the Strait of Hormuz, prompting the U.S. to respond with extensive airstrikes on Iranian military facilities. Iran also retaliated by targeting U.S. military bases in the region, escalating tensions between the two nations.Iran has expressed its determination to resist U.S. actions. Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, the Speaker of Iran's Parliament, stated, "It is clear that ending the war is a top priority, but this conflict will never end with Iran's surrender."He added, "We have never lifted our national defense posture in anticipation of the U.S. breaking agreements, and if the U.S. provokes us again, we will reclaim our rights through a full-scale defense."Following Trump's declaration of the ceasefire's end, the U.S. has announced sanctions targeting financial networks supporting Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Mojtaba Khamenei.The U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) reported that it has taken action against Ali Ansari, a financier who has managed a vast global asset network benefiting Khamenei and other regime elites.According to OFAC, Ansari, an Iranian national residing in Dubai, has exploited close ties with regime elites for personal gain, sacrificing the Iranian people while enriching himself and his associates through a global network of investment real estate and financial assets.The U.S. State Department stated that the sanctions reflect the Trump administration's commitment to hold accountable those who promote corruption and aggression by the Iranian regime in the region. It emphasized that the U.S. will continue to impose sanctions on individuals, companies, and financial institutions (including foreign ones) that enable Iran's illegal trade, and will not back down until the regime's destabilizing actions and exploitation of the Iranian people cease.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-11 06:40:00
  • Stephen Chow Returns with Kung Fu Soccer, a Sequel to Shaolin Soccer
    Stephen Chow Returns with 'Kung Fu Soccer,' a Sequel to 'Shaolin Soccer' Stephen Chow's new film, Kung Fu Soccer (original title: 功夫女足), premiered across China on July 11. This marks Chow's return to filmmaking after seven years, following his 2019 release, The New King of Comedy. The film is particularly anticipated as it revisits the theme of soccer, over 20 years after his hit film Shaolin Soccer.Chow employed an unconventional marketing strategy for this release, announcing the premiere date without revealing trailers or posters until just before the launch. Hong Kong media outlet HK01 noted that while the trailer kept most of the cast's faces hidden, Chow's signature absurd comedy style has heightened fan expectations.The main poster evokes memories of Shaolin Soccer. The film follows the 'Emei Team,' a women's soccer squad, as they face a critical challenge ahead of a prestigious tournament, using kung fu to compete against stronger teams. It features Chow's typical narrative of ordinary people striving for their dreams, now centered on women's soccer.Kung Fu Soccer is not merely a female version of Shaolin Soccer. It reflects the growing interest in women's soccer in China and the rise of women's sports, showcasing different martial arts styles for each player, such as Tai Chi for the goalkeeper and various techniques for the forwards.The cast includes top talent, with award-winning actress Zhang Xiaofei playing the team captain and goalkeeper 'Shuangshuang,' who cut her long hair and underwent six months of physical training. Dilireba, portraying the main striker 'Yulong,' gained 17.6 pounds and trained for three months in soccer. Actor Zhang Yixing, formerly of EXO, performed most of his own stunts in the film.Other notable appearances include Liu Jialing, Jimmy Yang, and Zhang Jicheng, along with original cast members Lin Zichong and Huang Yifei from Shaolin Soccer, providing a nostalgic touch for fans.To enhance authenticity, former Chinese national team players Zhao Lina and Li Jiawei not only acted in the film but also served as technical advisors, guiding the choreography of the soccer scenes and tactics.The production scale is unprecedented, with a total budget of 380 million yuan (approximately $54 million), making it Chow's largest project to date. Notably, the proportion of actor salaries, typically 30-40% of production costs, was reduced to about 15%, allowing for half of the budget to be allocated to over 1,200 CGI special effects scenes. This aims to deliver a visual spectacle that surpasses Shaolin Soccer.However, there are potential challenges for box office success. Amid rising anti-Japanese sentiment in China, the casting of Japanese actor Takeru Satoh has sparked some online controversy. Nevertheless, as his role is more of a special appearance than a leading one, it is expected to have a limited impact on the film's performance.The Chinese film market has faced difficulties, with box office revenue in the first half of the year dropping nearly 40% year-on-year to 17.3 billion yuan.Despite this, Kung Fu Soccer, driven by the name 'Stephen Chow,' is considered one of the most anticipated films of the summer, raising hopes for revitalizing the sluggish theater scene. According to Maoyan, as of the morning of July 9, advance ticket sales had reached 40 million yuan. 2026-07-11 06:04:00
  • President Yoon Receives Pistol and Ammunition from Turkish President Erdogan
    President Yoon Receives Pistol and Ammunition from Turkish President Erdogan 이재명 대통령이 최근 나토(NATO·북대서양조약기구) 정상회의 참석을 계기로 레제프 타이이프 에르도안 튀르키예 대통령으로부터 권총과 실탄 선물을 받은 사실이 뒤늦게 알려졌다. 11일 청와대에 따르면 이 대통령은 지난 7일(현지시간)부터 이틀간 앙카라에서 열린 나토 정상회의에 참석한 뒤 출국에 앞서 자신의 이름이 새겨진 리볼버 권총 한 정과 실탄이 담긴 상자를 받았다. 이번 정상회의에 참석한 각국 정상들도 각자 이름이 새겨진 동일한 선물을 받은 것으로 전해졌다. 권총 선물은 키어 스타머 영국 총리가 앙카라에서 돌아오는 비행기 안에서 처음 언급하면서 알려졌다. 권총은 튀르키예 국기와 나토 로고가 새겨진 목재 상자에 담겼으며, 상자 안에는 ‘튀르키예에서 처음 생산된 리볼버형 권총’이라는 설명 문구와 총기 반출에 필요한 관련 서류도 함께 들어 있는 것으로 알려졌다. 청와대 관계자는 이날 “해당 총기 선물은 청와대와 외교부가 경찰청과 협의해 반입 승인을 받았다”며 “청와대는 해당 총기를 경호처의 관리하에 대통령기록관으로 안전하게 이관할 것”이라고 말했다. 한편 이 대통령은 오흐나 후렐수흐 몽골 대통령에게 국궁 세트와 스마트 워치 등을 선물했다. 청와대에 따르면 국궁 세트는 물소뿔, 대나무를 접합해 전통 기법으로 제작했다. 활쏘기가 몽골 최대 명절인 나담 축제의 3대 종목 중 하나일 뿐만 아니라 양국이 공유하는 전통 문화라는 점을 고려해 국궁 세트를 선물로 정했다는 설명이다. 이 대통령은 또 평소 운동을 즐기는 후렐수흐 대통령의 취향에 맞춰 최신 기능이 탑재된 스마트 워치도 전달했다. 후렐수흐 대통령 부인 벌러르체첵 여사에게는 나비당초 나전함을 선물했다. 나전함은 나비와 당초(덩굴) 문양으로 장식됐다. 행복과 번영을 상징하는 나비와 끝없이 뻗어나가는 덩굴은 번영과 장수를 의미한다. 몽골의 광활한 초원과 풍요로운 자연을 연상시키는 비취색을 사용해 제작했다.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-11 03:32:00
  • President Yoon Calls Mongolia a True Friend and Partner for New Development
    President Yoon Calls Mongolia a True Friend and Partner for New Development President Yoon Suk Yeol attended a state dinner hosted by Mongolian President Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh on July 10. The dinner commenced with a military band playing the national anthems of both countries, with President Yoon and First Lady Kim Hye-kyung seated at the head table alongside President Khurelsukh and First Lady Bolor Erdene. In his welcoming remarks, President Khurelsukh noted the significance of President Yoon's first state visit to Mongolia in 15 years, stating that it marks the beginning of a "golden era of Korea-Mongolia cooperation." He praised the joint declaration on future cooperation and various agreements signed during their summit. He emphasized the long-standing brotherhood between the two nations, referencing a proverb that suggests one must meet in person to truly understand each other. He expressed hope for the continued development of friendship and strategic partnership between the peoples of both countries. In his speech, President Yoon reflected on the open-mindedness, inclusiveness, and strong will he felt in Mongolia's vast blue skies and grasslands, attributing these qualities as driving forces behind Mongolia's development today. He also mentioned the declaration of a "golden era of Korea-Mongolia cooperation" made during their summit the previous day, emphasizing the commitment to expand cooperation that citizens can feel in their daily lives. Notably, President Yoon referred to the Mongolian term "anda," meaning true friend, stating, "Korea will be Mongolia's 'anda' and a partner in achieving new leaps and development together." During the dinner, a video montage was shown, featuring moments from President Yoon's childhood, his wedding, his time as mayor of Seongnam, his tenure as governor of Gyeonggi Province, and his presidential campaign, culminating in his current state visit. As Mongolian singer Gantogoo began performing the Korean song "Family Photo," a video of President Yoon and his wife was displayed on the screen. Chief Presidential Spokesperson Kang Yu-jeong reported in a written briefing that the state dinner, held in a warm atmosphere, lasted about three hours, exceeding the scheduled time, with attendees expressing reluctance to conclude the event. When the couple's wedding photos appeared on the screen, attendees responded with warm applause. Throughout the performances, guests applauded in appreciation, sharing in the significance of the friendship between the two nations. Meanwhile, the dinner was attended by 40 business leaders, including Koo Ja-eun, chairman of LS Holdings, Lee Hyung-hee, vice chairman of SK, Heo Seo-hong, CEO of GS Retail, and Han Chae-yang, CEO of E-Mart, along with heads of institutions and government officials. On July 11, President Yoon will attend the Naadam Festival, Mongolia's largest national event, as the official guest. After the opening ceremony, he plans to visit the archery and shagai venues to experience traditional Mongolian culture. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-11 03:16:00
  • Blue House: Chinas Helium Export Ban Will Not Impact South Korean Semiconductor Industry
    Blue House: China's Helium Export Ban Will Not Impact South Korean Semiconductor Industry The Blue House stated on July 10 that the Chinese government's temporary export ban on helium, a key material in semiconductor production, will not affect South Korea's semiconductor industry.A Blue House official explained in a press release that, following the Middle East conflict, most helium imports have been diversified to the United States. The official added that imports from China are minimal.According to foreign media reports, the Chinese Ministry of Commerce and the General Administration of Customs announced that the helium export ban would take effect immediately. However, they did not provide specific details regarding the reasons for the ban or its duration. Helium is considered a strategic material used as a coolant in semiconductor and display manufacturing processes.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-11 01:16:00
  • President Lee Calls for Full Mobilization of Resources Amid Heavy Rainfall
    President Lee Calls for Full Mobilization of Resources Amid Heavy Rainfall President Lee Jae-myung urged government agencies and local authorities on July 10 (local time) to mobilize all available resources to prevent loss of life amid heavy rainfall across the country.While on a state visit to Mongolia, President Lee expressed his condolences on Facebook to all citizens affected by the unexpected disaster.He noted, "This summer has seen the heaviest rainfall, leading to flooding and tragic loss of life," and emphasized that there is no such thing as overreacting when it comes to protecting citizens' lives.President Lee added, "As climate change makes weather predictions increasingly difficult, proactive disaster response from the government is crucial," and he reiterated his appreciation and encouragement for frontline officials working on prevention and recovery efforts.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-11 01:08:00
  • SK hynix rings in Nasdaq debut with record U.S. share sale
    SK hynix rings in Nasdaq debut with record U.S. share sale SEOUL, July 10 (AJP) - SK hynix began trading on the Nasdaq Global Select Market on Friday after raising a record $26.5 billion in the largest U.S. share sale by a foreign company. The South Korean memory chipmaker's American depositary shares initially traded under the temporary ticker SKHYV before regular-way trading under SKHY. SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won and SK hynix Chief Executive Kwak Noh-jung joined other senior executives at the opening bell ceremony at Nasdaq MarketSite in New York to mark the company's U.S. market debut. Speaking at the ceremony, Kwak described the United States as the "epicenter of AI" and said the listing would strengthen SK hynix's ties with customers, partners and talent driving the industry's growth. "The United States is the epicenter of AI. The customers needing AI innovation are here. The partners building the ecosystem are here. And the talent driving the industry is here. This strengthens our connection to all of them," Kwak said. The offering raised approximately $26.5 billion through the sale of 177.9 million American depositary shares priced at $149 each. Each ADS represents one-tenth of an SK hynix common share listed in Seoul. The company said the offering was the largest-ever ADR issuance and the largest U.S. share sale by a foreign company, surpassing Alibaba's roughly $25 billion U.S. offering in 2014. The offering price represented a 2.7 percent premium to the average closing price of SK hynix shares over the previous three trading sessions, an uncommon outcome for a large equity offering, which is typically priced at a discount. The proceeds will be used to finance semiconductor fabrication plants, advanced packaging facilities and manufacturing equipment as SK hynix expands production capacity to meet rapidly growing demand for AI memory. Kwak said the ADR listing would also broaden the company's global shareholder base by making it easier for international investors to access SK hynix shares. "It opens a new door to investors around the world. Our ADR listing makes that access easier, and we are pleased to welcome a broader community of global investors to join our journey," he said. The company currently leads the global HBM market, holding a 56.4 percent market share by revenue in the first quarter, according to IDC data cited in its U.S. regulatory filing. Industry officials said the successful pricing reflected strong global investor confidence in SK hynix's leadership in AI memory, particularly its position as a key supplier of HBM for Nvidia's AI accelerators. 2026-07-10 23:28:08
  • NH Bank Expands Support for Regional Cooperative Mergers, Offering Up to 150 Billion Won
    NH Bank Expands Support for Regional Cooperative Mergers, Offering Up to 150 Billion Won The National Agricultural Cooperative Federation (NH Bank) has revised its merger support system to promote voluntary mergers among regional cooperatives. The new approach increases funding based on the number of cooperatives involved in a merger, aiming to encourage larger-scale consolidations.According to Yonhap News on July 10, NH Bank has recently updated its 'Merger Basic Fund Support Criteria.' The new system will provide 50 billion won for each cooperative that ceases to exist due to a merger, replacing the previous model that allocated 30 billion won to the surviving cooperative and an additional 10 billion won for each participating cooperative.Under the revised guidelines, if two cooperatives merge, they will receive 50 billion won; if three cooperatives merge, the support will increase to 100 billion won; and for four cooperatives merging, the total support will reach 150 billion won.NH Bank plans to expand the support scale as more cooperatives participate in mergers, thereby promoting broader regional consolidations.Additionally, the limit for special merger funding has been raised from 20 billion won to a maximum of 30 billion won, and the support period has been extended from two years to three years.To further encourage participation in mergers, the basic contribution for cooperative leaders will increase from 80 million won to 100 million won. The funding for re-voting in case a merger proposal is rejected will also be expanded from one instance to a maximum of two.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-10 21:44:00
  • SK Hynix Lists on Nasdaq, Aims to Compete with Micron
    SK Hynix Lists on Nasdaq, Aims to Compete with Micron On July 10, industry sources reported that SK Hynix officially listed its American Depositary Receipts (ADRs) on the Nasdaq at 9:15 a.m. local time (10:15 p.m. in Korea) under the ticker symbol 'SKHYV.'To commemorate the listing, Chey Tae-won, chairman of SK Group, participated in a bell-ringing ceremony at the Nasdaq MarketSite in Times Square, alongside SK Hynix CEO Kwak Noh-jung and other executives. This event marks a significant shift in overcoming the 'Korea Discount' that has historically plagued the Korean stock market and addresses the severe undervaluation compared to Micron.SK Hynix issued approximately 177.9 million ADRs, representing about 2.5% of its total shares, with a final offering price set at $149 per share, 2.9% higher than the previous closing price on the domestic market. This achievement marks the first instance of a major IPO in the U.S. issuing shares at a premium over existing stock prices. The offering attracted over $200 billion (approximately 300 trillion won) in subscription orders, exceeding the available shares by seven times.Homeplus Faces Employment and Supply Chain Challenges with 33.3 Billion Won in Wage ArrearsThe impact of Homeplus's restructuring process is becoming evident, with a government survey confirming that 33.3 billion won in wages went unpaid in June.On July 10, the Ministry of Economy and Finance held a task force meeting at the Government Sejong Center, led by First Vice Minister Lee Hyung-il, to assess the situation of affected workers and partner companies.Since the court's decision to terminate the restructuring process, a total of 692 consultations have been recorded from July 3 to July 9 through the Ministry of Labor's one-stop counseling service and local labor offices. The government provided guidance on support measures related to wage arrears, livelihood assistance, and employment support during these consultations.The Ministry of Labor's dedicated task force conducted a comprehensive investigation, confirming the 33.3 billion won in unpaid wages for June. The government plans to closely monitor for any additional wage arrears.Affected workers can receive up to 21 million won in advance payments for unpaid wages. The government has committed to enhancing its response to ensure prompt disbursement of these funds.Korea-Mongolia CEPA Expands Supply Chain for Key Minerals, Logistics Remain a ChallengeAccording to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, the Korea-Mongolia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) will eliminate import tariffs of 2-5% on key minerals such as copper, molybdenum, and rare earth elements from Mongolia.The two countries agreed to include energy and mineral cooperation in the agreement, which will support the exploration, development, and supply chain connections for key minerals.Korea can diversify its sources for key minerals used in secondary batteries, semiconductors, and defense industries. Meanwhile, Mongolia can leverage its abundant mineral resources to foster resource development and processing industries, aligning the interests of both nations.Supply chain cooperation is already becoming visible. The Ministry reported that 27 tons of tungsten concentrate produced in Mongolia were supplied to Korea for the first time last month, with plans for increased supply. This follows the 2023 memorandum of understanding on Korea-Mongolia rare metal supply chain cooperation.However, simply eliminating tariffs may not be sufficient to stabilize the key mineral supply chain. While Mongolia has rich mineral deposits, it lacks the technology and funding necessary for resource development, and its transportation infrastructure, including railways and roads, is inadequate. The logistics structure, which relies on routes through China, also poses challenges that need to be addressed in the supply chain development process.Blue House Reviews Leverage ETFs Amid Market VolatilityOn July 10, Kim Yong-beom, head of the Blue House Policy Office, addressed concerns regarding the repeated fluctuations in the KOSPI, attributing them to the introduction of single-stock leveraged ETFs. He stated, "Since this is a newly introduced system, I believe that if any adjustments are needed, they will be decided in the market situation review meeting."During a briefing at the Blue House, Kim noted that the review meeting, which includes the Ministry of Economy and Finance, the Financial Services Commission, the Bank of Korea, and the Financial Supervisory Service, is closely examining the market situation.He added, "Institutions are looking into the matter, and since the ETFs have been operational for about a month and a half, we will carefully assess their impact on the market during this period."Additionally, Kim responded to a question regarding the establishment of a semiconductor cluster at the Gwangju military airport, stating that discussions between South Korea and the U.S. are necessary due to the airport's partial use by U.S. military personnel, confirming that talks have already begun.US and Iran Seek Dialogue After Recent AttacksThe United States and Iran are seeking to resume dialogue after exchanging attacks over two days. President Donald Trump declared, "The memorandum of understanding (MOU) for ceasefire has ended." However, the White House stated that practical discussions with Iran are ongoing.On July 9, according to Axios and Reuters, a senior U.S. official indicated, "The U.S. is still pursuing a diplomatic resolution, and practical discussions are continuing." This statement followed a meeting where President Trump discussed the situation with national security advisors.The White House has not officially confirmed the termination of the MOU following Trump's remarks, but it has stipulated that Iran must adhere to its commitments to continue dialogue.A U.S. official noted, "The MOU is an agreement contingent on compliance from both sides," emphasizing that Iran's actions constitute an unacceptable breach of the agreement. While strongly criticizing Iran's attacks on commercial vessels, the U.S. has left the door open for a diplomatic resolution.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-10 21:28:00
  • Democratic Party Fails to Reach Conclusion on Preferred Voting System
    Democratic Party Fails to Reach Conclusion on Preferred Voting System The Democratic Party has once again failed to reach a conclusion on whether to implement a preferred voting system for the party leader election at the upcoming August 17 convention. The planned Supreme Council meeting for further discussion was also canceled, highlighting ongoing internal disagreements regarding the voting method.According to Yonhap News, the party discussed the preferred voting system during a Supreme Council meeting on the morning of July 10 but could not come to a decision.Kang Jun-hyun, the party's chief spokesperson, told reporters after the meeting, "We were unable to reach a conclusion regarding the election method for the party leader and Supreme Council members, as well as the election method for the youth Supreme Council member. While a time has not been set, we plan to hold another Supreme Council meeting tonight to make a decision."As a result, the leadership intended to convene the Supreme Council around 9 p.m., but the Democratic Party notified reporters about 30 minutes before the scheduled start that the meeting would not take place.The preferred voting system allows voters to rank candidates in order of preference on their ballots. If no candidate receives a majority of the votes, the votes for the lowest-ranked candidate are redistributed to the second-choice candidates of those who voted for the eliminated candidate, ultimately determining the winner.Previously, the Preparatory Committee for the Convention had decided to introduce the preferred voting system for the party leader election. However, concerns were raised by the camp of Jung Cheong-rae, a candidate for the party leadership, who argued that it could violate party rules and regulations, prompting the leadership to revisit the issue. Decisions made by the Preparatory Committee are finalized after passing through the Supreme Council and the Party Affairs Committee.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-10 21:28:00