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  • Koreas Content Agency to Diversify Support for Game Production and Distribution
    Korea's Content Agency to Diversify Support for Game Production and Distribution Kim Yoon-ji, head of the Korea Creative Content Agency, announced on July 9 that the agency will diversify its support methods, including not only production assistance but also marketing and distribution support.During a meeting held at the Global Game Hub Center, Kim stated, "We will continue to strengthen the growth foundation of the game industry and work to create a game ecosystem that promotes the spread of K-culture through ongoing communication with the field." This meeting was organized to gather voices from the game industry and develop effective support measures, with representatives from game-related associations such as the Korea Game Industry Association and the Korea Mobile Game Association, as well as key small game companies in attendance.Participants unanimously agreed that the agency's support should be more diverse. Bae Soo-jung, CEO of Road Complete, emphasized the need for support that allows small teams to develop intensively and experiment with various ideas.After the meeting, Kim met with representatives from resident companies at the Global Game Hub Center. Kim Young-woong, CEO of Super Rabbit Games, expressed hope that policy financing support, including investment and loans, would be expanded to allow companies to focus on stable development. Resident companies shared their challenges in game distribution, securing investment, and entering overseas markets.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-10 14:00:00
  • International Airport Named After Trump Opens with Code DJT
    International Airport Named After Trump Opens with Code 'DJT' Palm Beach International Airport in Florida has been renamed "Donald J. Trump International Airport." The airport code will change from "PBI" to "DJT" starting August 18.On July 9, airport officials began removing the old signage and installing the new name and logo. The cost of the changes is estimated to be up to $5.5 million.Trump Group's Boeing 757, known as "Trump Force One," was the first aircraft to arrive at the airport following the name change. Eric Trump, the second son of former President Donald Trump, was on board.The airport is located near Mar-a-Lago, the Trump family's residence, and has been frequently used by them. Earlier this year, the road connecting the airport to Mar-a-Lago was renamed "Donald J. Trump Boulevard."The renaming was made possible after Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed a related bill.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-10 14:00:00
  • Lees approval rating edges down to 53%
    Lee's approval rating edges down to 53% SEOUL, July 10 (AJP) - President Lee Jae Myung's approval rating edged down slightly this week after a brief rebound last week. In a survey of more than 1,000 adults nationwide conducted by pollster Gallup Korea earlier this week, 53 percent of respondents gave a positive rating to Lee's job performance, down 1 percentage point from a week earlier. But his disapproval rating also fell 1 percentage point to 35 percent, with 12 percent undecided. Among those who approved of Lee, the most-cited reason was "the economy and livelihoods" at 19 percent. But interestingly, it was also the top reason among those who disapproved of him at 21 percent. In terms of party support, the ruling Democratic Party (DP) stayed at 42 percent, while the main opposition People Power Party (PPP) stood at 24 percent. The minor Reform Party and Rebuilding Korea Party garnered 3 percent of support each, followed by the left-wing Progressive Party at 1 percent. About a quarter of respondents or 26 percent said they did not support any party. The survey was conducted through computer-assisted telephone interviews using randomly generated mobile phone numbers. More details are available on the website of the National Election Survey Deliberation Commission. 2026-07-10 13:58:14
  • Samsung union blasts bonus voucher plan
    Samsung union blasts bonus voucher plan SEOUL, July 10 (AJP) - Samsung Electronics' largest labor union on Friday urged lawmakers to withdraw a proposed revision to South Korea's Labor Standards Act that would allow part of workers' wages, including performance bonuses, to be paid in local gift certificates with employee consent. The Samsung Electronics chapter of the Samsung Group Super Enterprise Labor Union said the bill would undermine the long-standing principle that wages should be paid in legal tender. "The proposed amendment is a dangerous attempt that shakes the very foundation of wage payments," the union said in a statement, calling for the bill to be scrapped immediately. The proposal, introduced on Wednesday by Democratic Party lawmaker Park Min-kyu, would permit employers to pay part of an employee's wages through local gift certificates or other non-cash means if the employee explicitly agrees or if such payments are stipulated in a collective bargaining agreement. The bill has already drawn criticism from both of South Korea's umbrella labor organizations, the Federation of Korean Trade Unions (FKTU) and the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU), which also called for its withdrawal. The Samsung union argued that if lawmakers believe local gift certificates are effectively equivalent to cash, they should first receive part of their own salaries and allowances in such vouchers. "If local gift certificates are truly no different from legal currency, lawmakers who sponsored the bill should apply the measure to their own salaries and allowances before imposing it on workers' wages," the union said. The union's criticism comes as South Korea's semiconductor industry is already pushing back against political proposals that it says could weaken corporate competitiveness, including discussions surrounding a potential windfall-profit levy on chipmakers. Employees at Samsung Electronics and SK hynix have recently circulated a petition urging the National Assembly to halt consideration of any excess-profit recovery measures targeting the semiconductor industry and to withdraw policies they argue could undermine the sector's global competitiveness. According to market estimates, Samsung Electronics' Device Solutions division and SK hynix are expected to post record operating profits this year, potentially resulting in substantial performance bonuses for employees early next year. Analysts estimate Samsung's chip division could generate around 40 trillion won ($29 billion) in operating profit this year, while SK hynix is forecast to earn roughly 30 trillion won, although estimates vary by brokerage. 2026-07-10 13:56:38
  • Controversy Erupts Over Proposal to Pay Bonuses in Local Currency
    Controversy Erupts Over Proposal to Pay Bonuses in Local Currency A proposed amendment to the Labor Standards Act that would allow part of employees' wages to be paid in local currency, specifically community love gift certificates, has sparked significant backlash. Initially believed to apply only to bonuses at major semiconductor companies like Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix, the amendment has been revealed to potentially affect all workers with explicit consent or collective agreements, escalating the controversy.On July 10, various online communities and social media platforms shared a comparison table of the current and proposed legal texts. The table highlights that while the existing law mandates wages to be paid in cash under Article 43 of the Labor Standards Act, the amendment would permit payment in non-cash forms, such as community love gift certificates, if there is explicit consent from the worker or a collective agreement.Responses from online communities, regardless of political leanings, have been largely similar. Both conservative and progressive groups have voiced concerns that the principle of cash wage payments in a democratic country should not be compromised.One user expressed, "I initially thought this only applied to bonuses at Samsung and Hynix, but now it seems to target all workers. This feels like the beginning of a communist build-up." Others commented, "While it claims to require worker consent, isn't it effectively coercive for small businesses?" and "If local currency is distributed widely, won't prices just rise?" Some suggested that lawmakers should first receive their salaries in local currency as a test.Particularly, some users referenced the past property holdings of Park Min-kyu, the lawmaker who introduced the amendment. They criticized, "Park Min-kyu of the Democratic Party, who proposed this amendment, owns 13 properties, the highest number recorded in 25 years. Shouldn't he be considered a landlord rather than a lawmaker?" and urged, "Don't experiment with citizens' wages; apply it to lawmakers' salaries first."Earlier, the largest union at Samsung Electronics, the Samsung Group's mega labor union, issued a statement on July 10 calling for the withdrawal of the amendment. The union stated, "The proposed amendment to allow part of wages, including bonuses, to be paid in community love gift certificates with explicit worker consent is a dangerous attempt that undermines the principle of cash wage payments. It must be retracted immediately."Following this, both the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) and the Korean Federation of Trade Unions (KFTU) also demanded the amendment's withdrawal.The mega labor union asserted, "If you are confident that community love gift certificates are no different from cash, then apply it first to the salaries of the lawmakers who proposed the bill."Concerns are also growing within the semiconductor industry. Amid ongoing debates over the excess profit recovery policy in the semiconductor sector, there are fears that corporate competitiveness may weaken. Among employees at Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix, there is a rising movement to participate in a national petition demanding the cessation of the excess profit recovery policy and the withdrawal of policies that harm corporate competitiveness.In the financial sector, analysts predict that Samsung Electronics' Device Solutions (DS) division and SK Hynix will generate operating profits of approximately 400 trillion won and 300 trillion won, respectively, this year. Consequently, bonuses expected to be paid early next year are anticipated to average several hundred million won per employee.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-10 13:52:00
  • Han Sung Corporation Surges as Patriotic Company Amid Delisting Concerns
    Han Sung Corporation Surges as 'Patriotic Company' Amid Delisting Concerns Han Sung Corporation, which had seen its market capitalization fall below the threshold for maintaining its listing, has experienced a surge in stock prices for two consecutive days as it is being rebranded as a 'patriotic company.' This shift follows the revelation that the company has supported Korean War veterans for 25 years, leading to a consumer purchasing movement and increased investor buying activity.As of 1:37 PM on July 10, Han Sung Corporation's stock was trading at 8,460 won, up 1,950 won (29.95%) from the previous trading day. The stock price hit the daily limit increase just seven minutes after the market opened, marking a second consecutive day of limit-up trading. The previous day, the stock had closed at 6,510 won, up 29.94%.Han Sung Corporation is known for its processed seafood products, including 'Crab Meat.' However, the company has faced declining performance recently, with its market capitalization dropping from 34.6 billion won at the beginning of the year to 26.1 billion won by the end of last month.The change in sentiment came after news spread on social media and online communities about the company's long-standing support for Korean War veterans' music events. As this information quickly circulated, consumers began a purchasing movement to support the company, and buying interest in its stock increased.Han Sung Corporation expressed gratitude for the positive reactions from netizens. On July 6, the company stated on its website, 'We are grateful for the praise and support,' adding, 'The veterans' events are held to express our gratitude.'It continued, 'We have quietly conducted these events with the intention of repaying the grace owed to those who dedicated themselves to the country,' and pledged to convey their gratitude and respect to the heroes more effectively, reflecting the sentiments of customers who love Korea.Market analysts view the recent surge in stock prices as a result of the rebranding as a 'patriotic company' and the spontaneous support from consumers, rather than expectations of improved performance. However, they caution that the long-term trajectory of the stock price will depend on the recovery of the company's performance and improvement in its corporate value.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-10 13:48:00
  • Korean Pork Promotion and New Product Launch in Mongolia
    Korean Pork Promotion and New Product Launch in Mongolia The Korean Pork Promotion Committee announced on July 10 that it conducted marketing activities in Mongolia over two days, starting July 8, to promote the quality of Korean pork.On July 8, the committee participated in the 10th anniversary event of Emart's third store in Mongolia, where it showcased cooking demonstrations featuring Jeju Korean pork and held tastings of various cuts. The event also included promotional programs such as set purchase benefits and bulk buying consultations.The committee also took part in the 'K-Barbecue Picnic' event hosted by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs on the same day. This event, held ahead of Mongolia's largest holiday, the Naadam Festival, allowed local consumers to experience barbecue dishes made with Korean pork, beef, and chicken.On July 9, a launch event for Korean pork lunch boxes and gimbap was held at GS25 in Mongolia. These products are the first fresh lunch boxes produced at a local Fresh Food factory following a supply agreement between the Jeju Livestock Cooperative and GS25 last year. The event was attended by Lee Gi-hong, chairman of the Korean Pork Promotion Committee, Song Mi-ryeong, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, and Heo Seo-hong, CEO of GS Retail.Chairman Lee stated, "We will expand cooperation with local distribution channels and broaden the overseas consumer base for Korean pork through product development and marketing."Additionally, the Korean Pork Promotion Committee recently completed the 'Happy Charging Project for Families with Multiple Children,' supporting 100 families. They plan to provide additional Korean pork gift sets to selected families during the Chuseok holiday and year-end season.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-10 13:48:00
  • KOSPI Surges Over 5% Amid Institutional Buying, Trading Halts Activated
    KOSPI Surges Over 5% Amid Institutional Buying, Trading Halts Activated The KOSPI index surged more than 5% during trading on July 10, driven by significant institutional buying. The strong performance of U.S. semiconductor stocks and the popularity of SK Hynix's American Depositary Receipts (ADRs) boosted investor sentiment, further fueled by bargain hunting. As a result, both the main stock market and the KOSDAQ market activated buy sidecars.According to the Korea Exchange, as of 1:12 PM, the KOSPI was up 412.60 points (5.66%) at 7,704.51. The index opened at 7,552.49, a rise of 260.58 points (3.57%) from the previous close, and continued to expand its gains.With the influx of buying, a program buy sidecar was activated at 12:54 PM, halting buy orders. This mechanism is triggered when the KOSPI 200 futures rise more than 5% compared to the previous trading day for one minute, pausing buy orders for five minutes.This buy sidecar activation marks the 17th instance this year, bringing the total number of activations, including sell sidecars, to 34.In the main stock market, institutions led the index's rise with a net purchase of 1.805 trillion won. In contrast, individual and foreign investors sold off, with net sales of 1.5494 trillion won and 185 billion won, respectively, as they sought to realize profits.Most of the top market capitalization stocks showed gains, including Samsung Electronics (up 6.65%), SK Hynix (3.52%), SK Square (7.31%), Samsung Electro-Mechanics (6.97%), Hyundai Motor (4.38%), LG Energy Solution (3.51%), Samsung Life Insurance (5.67%), KB Financial Group (10.04%), and Samsung C&T (5.81%).At the same time, the KOSDAQ index rose by 49.02 points (6.17%) to 843.02, having started at 807.00 and increasing its gains.A buy sidecar was also activated in the KOSDAQ market at 1:08 PM, marking the 12th instance this year, and the 19th when including sell sidecars. This mechanism is triggered when the KOSDAQ 150 futures rise more than 6% and the KOSDAQ 150 index increases by over 3% for one minute.In the KOSDAQ market, institutions recorded a net purchase of 451.2 billion won, while individual and foreign investors sold off 320.9 billion won and 128.9 billion won, respectively.Among the top market capitalization stocks in the KOSDAQ, notable gainers included Alteogen (up 8.17%), EcoPro BM (9.69%), EcoPro (6.80%), JUSUNG Engineering (8.97%), Rainbow Robotics (6.96%), Kolon TissueGene (3.67%), Wonik IPS (20.11%), Rino Technology (9.14%), and PSK (25.76%). However, HLB saw a decline of 29.89%.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-10 13:36:00
  • Meta Considers Renting AI Computing Resources Amid High Demand, Says Zuckerberg
    Meta Considers Renting AI Computing Resources Amid High Demand, Says Zuckerberg Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Meta, has announced that the company is considering renting out its data center processing capabilities to external businesses. He noted that external companies are offering high prices, making it potentially more advantageous for Meta to rent out its resources rather than use them directly.On July 9, Bloomberg reported that Zuckerberg stated, "The prices being offered for using Meta's computing resources are very high," adding, "There may be cases where it makes sense for us to rent them out instead of using them ourselves." However, he clarified that Meta does not currently have excess processing capacity. All of its data centers are being utilized for developing and operating its own AI models, and the company intends to prioritize internal use for the time being.Meta is exploring options to either rent out its data center processing capabilities to external companies or allow other businesses and developers to access its AI models for a fee.Zuckerberg expressed interest in SpaceX's recent example of renting data centers to companies like Anthropic at high prices. He mentioned, "Meta is also receiving similar proposals, and we will look into whether this can lead to actual business opportunities." On the same day, Meta announced plans to offer its latest AI coding model, 'Muse Spark 1.1,' for paid external use, marking the company's first instance of generating revenue from its own AI models.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-10 13:36:00
  • Elon Musk Acknowledges Misjudgment of Anthropic as AI Leader
    Elon Musk Acknowledges Misjudgment of Anthropic as AI Leader Elon Musk, CEO of SpaceX, has admitted that he underestimated the artificial intelligence (AI) company Anthropic. On July 9, Musk stated on social media platform X that he had "clearly misjudged Anthropic" and recognized it as a "definite leader in the AI field." He praised Anthropic's latest AI models, Mythos and Fable, asserting that "no other company has produced models as impressive as these." He also anticipated the upcoming release of the next-generation Mythos model. Musk dismissed the possibility of Anthropic being unable to use SpaceX's data center, which is located in Memphis, Tennessee, for its AI model development. He remarked, "Even though they are a competitor, I will not sever ties in a way that causes serious harm. That is not my way." This marks a significant shift from Musk's previous stance, where he expressed skepticism about Anthropic's chances of success. In September of last year, he claimed, "There is no chance of Anthropic succeeding." * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-10 13:28:00