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  • Police Chief Yoon Jae-sung Apologizes for Evidence Tampering in Jang Yoon-ki Case
    Police Chief Yoon Jae-sung Apologizes for Evidence Tampering in Jang Yoon-ki Case Yoon Jae-sung, the acting chief of the National Police Agency, publicly apologized for the police's inadequate investigation and allegations of evidence tampering in the Jang Yoon-ki case. He announced the formation of a police investigation reform task force and the establishment of an internal corruption investigation unit under the National Investigation Headquarters as part of follow-up measures.During a nationwide video conference with police leadership on July 10, Yoon stated, "It is a devastating situation that the investigation team leader at the police station was arrested on charges of evidence tampering related to the Jang Yoon-ki case. I take the concerns and criticisms from the public very seriously."He continued, "I deeply apologize for causing yet another irreparable wound to the victim's family and am very sorry for disappointing the public."Yoon emphasized the need to thoroughly investigate the allegations raised in connection with the case. He asserted, "We will conduct a swift and thorough investigation into all matters without any suspicion and will impose the strictest penalties on those responsible within the limits of the law and regulations."He also outlined plans for a comprehensive reform of the police investigation system. A task force will be established at the National Police Agency to review the entire investigation system in collaboration with external experts and develop improvement measures.The internal corruption investigation unit will be established immediately under the National Investigation Headquarters. Yoon stated, "We will investigate and take decisive action against misconduct or corruption in police investigations nationwide."He promised to enhance victim-centered investigations and strengthen external oversight. "We will listen more closely to the voices of victims during police investigations and ensure democratic oversight with citizen participation," he said, adding that he would address procedural shortcomings and design institutional improvements to report to the public soon.Yoon stressed, "All members must remember that the investigative powers of the police are entrusted by the public. We will innovate police investigations to restore public trust, focusing solely on the citizens."Initially scheduled to attend a United Nations police chief meeting in the United States until July 11, Yoon canceled some of his plans and returned early on the morning of July 10. Upon his return, he reiterated, "I recognize the seriousness of this matter" and apologized again.Regarding discussions on the existence of supplementary investigative powers for prosecutors, he stated, "I believe it will be decided through sufficient discussions in the National Assembly, and the police will present necessary opinions during the discussion process."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-10 12:00:00
  • OpenAI and Meta Launch New AI Agents Targeting Business Market
    OpenAI and Meta Launch New AI Agents Targeting Business Market OpenAI and Meta have entered the competitive business AI market by unveiling next-generation artificial intelligence (AI) models and automation tools. The focus has shifted to securing AI agents capable of performing practical tasks such as scheduling, document and spreadsheet work, and coding.OpenAI Unveils GPT-5.6 and Business Agent 'ChatGPT Work'OpenAI has publicly released its latest AI model, 'GPT-5.6', after undergoing a pre-review process by the U.S. government. Following a limited release to select institutions at the end of last month, the model is now available to general users. OpenAI conducted a restricted pre-release and additional review at the government's request before fully deploying the model.The GPT-5.6 product line includes three models: the top-tier 'Sol', the balanced 'Terra', and the cost-effective 'Luna'. According to evaluation results released by OpenAI, GPT-5.6 outperformed some competitors, including Anthropic's Claude 5, in several areas. The top model, Sol, demonstrated performance comparable to Anthropic's advanced model, Claude Mythos 5.Additionally, OpenAI has launched 'ChatGPT Work', a business AI agent that combines ChatGPT with the coding agent Codex. ChatGPT Work is designed to create documents, presentations, spreadsheets, and web applications. It can gather information from specified applications and files, breaking down complex tasks into manageable steps. This positions it in competition with other business AI agents, such as Anthropic's 'Claude Co-Work' and Microsoft's 'Copilot Co-Work'.Meta Releases Coding AI 'Muse Spark 1.1' for EnterprisesOn July 9, Meta announced the release of its multimodal, agent-based coding model, 'Muse Spark 1.1'. Previously, Muse Spark was accessible only to select partners through a private API preview. However, Muse Spark 1.1 is now available in a public API preview format, allowing new users to access it. Businesses will pay based on token usage, marking the first time Meta has offered an AI model for enterprise use with a fee structure. According to Meta, internal developers and researchers are already utilizing Muse Spark 1.1 for their work.Muse Spark 1.1 supports a context window of up to 1 million tokens, enabling it to reuse previous actions and information throughout lengthy tasks while retaining only essential context. It also features multimodal capabilities, allowing it to understand images, videos, and audio. This enables the generation of code based on visual information and detailed descriptions of images and videos, linking recognition results to actual tasks.Meta Invests CAD 13 Billion in First AI Data Center in CanadaMeta is set to build its first data center in Canada, located in Sturgeon County, Alberta. The company announced via its blog that it will construct a 1 gigawatt (GW) data center in Alberta, with a total investment of CAD 13 billion (approximately KRW 13.7 trillion). This facility will be developed as a 1 GW infrastructure for AI computations. The new data center will be the 33rd facility built by Meta, joining existing centers in Ireland, Sweden, and Singapore. Earlier, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg indicated that the company is considering entering the cloud business by selling excess computing capacity generated at the data center or providing access to its AI models.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-10 11:56:00
  • HLB Shares Plummet After FDA Denies Approval for Liver Cancer Drug
    HLB Shares Plummet After FDA Denies Approval for Liver Cancer Drug HLB's shares hit the lower limit after news that its liver cancer drug, Riboceranib, failed to receive approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).As of 11:40 a.m. on July 10, HLB's stock was trading at 36,600 won, down 15,600 won (29.89%) from the previous trading day.At the same time, HLB Pharmaceuticals (-29.98%), HLB Life Science (-29.87%), and HLB Therapeutics (-29.82%) also recorded the lower limit. Additionally, shares of HLB Global (-27.37%), HLB Innovation (-26.06%), HLB Panajin (-25.86%), HLB Biostep (-26.57%), HLB Genex (-20.60%), and HLB Pep (-15.06%) all experienced significant declines.The sharp drop in investor sentiment was triggered by a disclosure from HLB's U.S. subsidiary, Elevate Therapeutics, which announced it received a Complete Response Letter (CRL) from the FDA regarding its New Drug Application (NDA) for the combination therapy of Riboceranib and Camrelizumab as a first-line treatment for liver cancer.According to the company, the CRL was not due to the efficacy or clinical results of Riboceranib itself, but rather issues identified during the FDA's inspection of the manufacturing facility of China's Jiangsu Hengrui Medicine, which was included in the application. The FDA stated that approval would only be possible once the identified issues at the manufacturing facility are resolved and compliance with current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP) is confirmed.This marks the third attempt for approval following submissions in May 2024 and 2025. HLB has requested documentation and improvement plans related to the FDA inspection from Jiangsu Hengrui, but the market anticipates that the need for corrective actions at the manufacturing facility will delay the approval timeline.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-10 11:48:00
  • Han Byeong-do Promises Swift Legislative Action on Three Major Projects
    Han Byeong-do Promises Swift Legislative Action on Three Major Projects Han Byeong-do, acting leader of the Democratic Party and floor leader, emphasized on July 10 that he will push for the legislation of the three major projects with the party's special committee at the forefront. The special committee for the three major projects, chaired by Han, officially launched on the same day.During a meeting with Prime Minister Han Seong-sook at the National Assembly, Han stated, "I hope the government and the party can unite to support the success of national policies based on the lives of the people."He added, "This three major projects initiative will be a turning point in the history of South Korea, and it must be pursued in unison by the government, the National Assembly, and the private sector."Han also expressed the party's commitment to diligently and thoroughly process the legislative tasks identified by the government by the end of this year.In response, Prime Minister Han thanked him for the prompt action regarding the three major projects envisioned by President Lee Jae-myung, stating, "The government will also bring about overall changes to work quickly in line with this pace." She further assured that the government will fulfill its role as a strong partner to the ruling party.Additionally, on the same day, Prime Minister Han met with Lee Jun-seok, leader of the Reform Party, and Kim Jun-hyung, acting leader of the Justice Innovation Party. A meeting with Jang Dong-hyuk, leader of the People Power Party, was postponed due to scheduling conflicts.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-10 11:48:00
  • Comprehensive Special Investigation Team Summons Jo Sung-hyun as First Suspect
    Comprehensive Special Investigation Team Summons Jo Sung-hyun as First Suspect The Comprehensive Special Investigation Team, led by Special Prosecutor Kwon Chang-young, has summoned Jo Sung-hyun, the former commander of the 1st Security Brigade of the Army Capital Defense Command, as the first suspect in a rebellion case. Previously, the Rebellion Special Investigation Team, led by Special Prosecutor Jo Eun-seok, had decided not to pursue charges against Jo. The Comprehensive Special Investigation Team began questioning Jo as a suspect for important duties in rebellion at 10 a.m. on July 10. This marks the first time Jo has appeared before the Comprehensive Special Investigation Team. Jo arrived at the special prosecutor's office at 9:42 a.m. He stated, "I am surprised, but I will testify truthfully and speak well." When asked about his intent behind saying 'we will conduct operations' during a conversation with former Defense Security Command Chief Lee Jin-woo, he explained, "It was something like personnel matters in the military." Jo is accused of involvement in the rebellion by relaying orders from Lee to deploy troops from the 2nd Special Operations Battalion and the 35th Special Operations Battalion to the National Assembly during the martial law declared on December 3. The investigation team is particularly focused on Jo's statement to the troops waiting at the Seogang Bridge, where he instructed them, "Leave firearms and blank rounds in the vehicles and take riot sticks for deployment. The mission is to remove personnel from inside the National Assembly." The Comprehensive Special Investigation Team believes that issuing orders to subordinate units based on Lee's directive to remove lawmakers constitutes participation in rebellion. In contrast, the Rebellion Special Investigation Team, which conducted the earlier investigation, had concluded that Jo's passive response to Lee's orders, ultimately rejecting them as unconstitutional and illegal, warranted a decision not to pursue charges. Jo was even awarded the Order of National Security Merit for his actions, which were deemed commendable. As the allegations against Jo have led to differing views between the Rebellion Special Investigation Team and the Comprehensive Special Investigation Team, there is growing interest in the outcome of the ongoing investigation. The Comprehensive Special Investigation Team is expected to closely examine how Jo received orders from Lee and how he communicated them to his subordinates. Meanwhile, the Comprehensive Special Investigation Team has also summoned former Prosecutor General Shim Woo-jung for further questioning. Shim is under investigation for allegedly considering sending prosecutors to the Joint Investigation Headquarters of the Martial Law Command after the declaration of martial law. At that time, Shim reportedly had three phone conversations with former Justice Minister Park Sung-jae, during which the dispatch of prosecutors was discussed, raising suspicions among investigators. Additionally, Shim is also implicated in allegations of attempting to suppress investigations related to Kim Geon-hee's stock manipulation case involving Deutsche Motors and the Dior bag incident.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-10 11:36:00
  • Youth Policies Must Be Redesigned to Fit Life Paths, Experts Say
    Youth Policies Must Be Redesigned to Fit Life Paths, Experts Say The government discussed plans to redesign youth policies to align with life paths, including employment, entrepreneurship, asset formation, housing, and marriage. The aim is to enhance the interconnectedness and effectiveness of policies beyond one-time support and to allocate financial resources effectively to key areas.The Ministry of Planning and Finance announced that it held a 'Youth Policy Expert Forum' on July 10 at the Korea Press Center in Seoul. The forum was organized to structurally diagnose the instability factors affecting youth across their life paths and to discuss the role and direction of future fiscal policies.Attendees included Minister of Planning and Finance Park Hong-keun, the Director of Integrated Growth Policy Planning, the Social Budget Review Officer, policy advisors, and youth advisors. Experts such as Jo Eun-joo, head of the Rework Institute, Yoon Dong-yeol, a professor at Konkuk University, and Kim Yoo-bin, a research fellow at the Korea Labor Institute, also participated.In her keynote address, Jo Eun-joo diagnosed youth issues as structural problems where instability accumulates across major life stages, including education, employment, housing, asset formation, and marriage. She pointed out that the weakening of social mobility, disparities in labor, housing, and assets, and the deepening of unfairness and inequality are at the core of youth anxiety.In the employment sector, the lack of quality first jobs, delays in entering the labor market, and the prevalence of hiring based on experience were identified as barriers to stable employment for youth. Experts suggested supporting young people in small and medium-sized enterprises with a 'career development package' that combines job training, skill development, and assistance with housing and transportation costs to improve the quality of their first jobs.There were also calls to shift support from employment incentives for companies to direct support for youth, aiming to restructure financial support systems to facilitate early entry into the labor market.In the entrepreneurship sector, issues such as low survival rates of youth startups, lack of follow-up growth support after assistance ends, and insufficient pathways for re-challenge after failure were highlighted. Experts recommended transitioning from grant-based support to investment and conditional support, linking follow-up assistance to performance.Additionally, there was a suggestion for a support system to fill gaps before and after starting a business, including market validation before launching, living expense support for entrepreneurs, and linking housing with entrepreneurship, as well as providing initial capital in local areas.In asset formation, disparities in real estate and inherited assets were found to exacerbate intergenerational and internal youth asset inequality. Experts called for a tailored asset formation support system based on individual income, employment status, debt situation, and life goals.They emphasized the need to enhance connections with existing asset formation policy products, such as youth ISAs, and to provide financial counseling and financial capability training for youth.In the housing sector, while existing youth housing support policies have expanded, they have not sufficiently connected with the actual life paths of youth. Discussions included enhancing the 'My Home' housing welfare platform to help youth identify and apply for available housing policies and linking diligent repayment histories of jeonse loans to subsequent financial support.In the marriage sector, employment instability, rising housing prices, and the burden of asset formation were identified as major factors constraining youth marriage and childbirth. Experts suggested that support for asset formation should begin in childhood to ensure that marriage and childbirth are not excessively influenced by economic conditions related to housing and asset acquisition.There were also recommendations to expand childcare services to reduce the financial burden of raising children and private education costs. The aim is to extend youth asset formation programs to childhood and establish a foundation for asset accumulation from early life.Based on the expert opinions raised during the forum, the Ministry of Planning and Finance plans to comprehensively review the direction of financial investment in youth policies. They will seek ways to enhance the interconnectedness and effectiveness of policies based on youth life transition paths and aim to reflect the discussion results in next year's government budget and long-term national development strategies.Minister Park described the lives of youth as a 'complex, multi-layered, intricate equation' and stated, 'Now is the golden time to make bold and comprehensive investments in the youth generation that will be the main players in Korea 20 years from now.'* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-10 11:32:00
  • Korea Technology Guarantee Fund Partners with Banks for R&D Financial Support
    Korea Technology Guarantee Fund Partners with Banks for R&D Financial Support The Korea Technology Guarantee Fund (KOTEC) is launching financial support initiatives to assist outstanding small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in their research and development (R&D) efforts.KOTEC announced on July 10 that it has signed a financial support agreement with the Industrial Bank of Korea and Hana Bank to promote the commercialization of industrial technology R&D projects.This agreement follows a previous partnership established in May with the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, aimed at providing expedited preferential financial support to enhance the commercialization and market entry of excellent R&D outcomes and to strengthen the growth foundation of technology innovation companies.Under the agreement, KOTEC will provide a total of 405 billion won in guarantee support, funded by special contributions of 17 billion won from the Industrial Bank of Korea and 10 billion won from Hana Bank. KOTEC will offer benefits such as an increased guarantee ratio (from 85% to 100% for three years) and a reduction in guarantee fees (up to 0.5 percentage points for three years), while the banks will provide preferential interest rates.The support is targeted at new technology businesses that meet KOTEC's guarantee requirements and have completed R&D projects recommended by the Korea Evaluation Institute of Industrial Technology (KEIT) or the Korea Institute for Advancement of Technology (KIAT), as well as companies recommended by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy. Eligible companies can receive up to 5 billion won in working capital.Through this agreement, the institutions aim to expand financial support for the commercialization of outstanding industrial technology R&D outcomes and to strengthen their collaborative framework to ensure that technological innovations are swiftly translated into commercial success.Kim Jong-ho, Chairman of KOTEC, stated, "This agreement is significant as it establishes a preferential financial support system necessary for the commercialization of industrial technology R&D outcomes through collaboration between policy finance and private finance. KOTEC will continue to expand cooperation with relevant institutions to enhance the value of excellent R&D outcomes and support the innovative growth of technology companies."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-10 11:28:00
  • Jang Dong-hyuk: Han Dong-hoon Expelled for Criminal Acts, Not Misconduct
    Jang Dong-hyuk: Han Dong-hoon Expelled for Criminal Acts, Not Misconduct Jang Dong-hyuk, the leader of the People Power Party, stated on July 10 that independent lawmaker Han Dong-hoon was expelled for "criminal acts, not misconduct."During an appearance on New Daily's YouTube program "Bae Choo-do's Early Delivery," Jang emphasized that the issue surrounding the party's bulletin board constitutes a criminal act. The People Power Party expelled Han in January over allegations that family members of a lawmaker posted critical comments about former President Yoon Suk-yeol and his wife on the party's bulletin board.Regarding his comments about permanently banning those involved in misconduct from returning to the party, Jang clarified, "I said strict measures are necessary for misconduct, but I never mentioned disciplining anyone specifically." He added, "Those who feel threatened by this are coming out and asking, 'Why are you trying to discipline me?'"He continued, "Many lawmakers have demanded a strong message that those who leave the party to run as independents will be permanently banned from returning. This is necessary to ensure that we support our party's candidates instead of independent ones."Jang pointed out that the current approach, which allows for reinstatement after expulsion during presidential and general elections, has led to a lack of fear regarding expulsion or bans. He stressed the importance of addressing misconduct, stating, "We should not engage in subtraction politics. Someone shooting at our side is the biggest minus. There is no greater minus than that. Asking the leader to step down is subtraction politics." He further emphasized, "Clear misconduct is akin to shooting at our own side in a war and aiding the enemy."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-10 11:28:00
  • SK Hynix Debuts on Nasdaq with ADR Pricing at $149 per Share
    SK Hynix Debuts on Nasdaq with ADR Pricing at $149 per Share SK Hynix made its debut on the Nasdaq market on July 10, confirming the issuance price of its American Depositary Receipts (ADR) at $149 per share. The listing has generated interest regarding whether it will lead to a rebound in SK Hynix's stock price, which has been sluggish this month.According to the financial investment industry, SK Hynix has set the initial public offering (IPO) price for 177.9 million ADRs at $149 per share. This price is approximately 2.9% higher than the previous day's closing price of 2,186,000 won (about $144.5) for SK Hynix's common stock, when converted to ADR terms. One ADR represents one-tenth of a common share in Korea.Through this offering, SK Hynix will issue approximately 17.79 million new shares, accounting for about 2.5% of its total shares. The company aims to raise a total of $26.57 billion (about 40 trillion won), marking the largest IPO by a foreign company in the U.S. and the second largest overall, following SpaceX's $85.7 billion IPO.Attention is focused on whether the Nasdaq listing can change the recent downward trend of the stock. As of July 8, SK Hynix's stock price had fallen to 2,007,600 won, down from 2,917,000 won on June 25. Despite the Nasdaq listing news, SK Hynix's stock experienced a decline early in the trading session.Market analysts are looking to the example of TSMC, which saw its stock value reassessed following its ADR listing. TSMC listed its ADRs in the U.S. in October 1997. Dongwon Kim, a researcher at KB Securities, noted, "The expansion of the global investor base allowed TSMC's ADR to form a premium over its common stock, leading to ongoing demand for conversion and arbitrage between the two." He explained that this created a positive feedback loop of reassessment between the Taiwanese common stock and the U.S. ADR.In the securities industry, expectations for a reassessment of corporate value have led to upward adjustments in target prices. Among the eight securities firms that released corporate analysis reports on SK Hynix this month, six raised their target prices, suggesting a range between 3.8 million and 4.2 million won.However, some analysts express caution regarding the reassessment of the common stock. Manhee Lee, a researcher at BNK Investment & Securities, stated, "While the issuance of ADRs provides convenience for overseas trading, it will not change the valuation of the common stock." He added, "The recent decline in stock prices is due to weakening demand, and the performance momentum is expected to wane after the end of the year, with valuations likely to be overestimated next year."Meanwhile, SK Hynix's ADRs will begin temporary trading on the Nasdaq under the ticker symbol 'SKHYV' starting July 10. Regular trading will transition to the ticker symbol 'SKHY' from July 13.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-10 11:24:00
  • Daewoong Pharmaceutical Enters AI Endoscopy Market with Digital Healthcare Solutions
    Daewoong Pharmaceutical Enters AI Endoscopy Market with Digital Healthcare Solutions Daewoong Pharmaceutical is partnering with medical AI company Weisen to enter the AI endoscopy software market. This move aims to expand its business scope by adding digital diagnostic solutions to its existing portfolio focused on gastrointestinal disease treatments.On July 10, Daewoong announced that it has signed a sales consignment agreement for the AI endoscopy image analysis software, WAYMED Endo.This collaboration is part of Daewoong's strategy to expand its digital healthcare business. The company plans to integrate AI-based diagnostic support software with its existing gastrointestinal products, including the gastroesophageal reflux disease treatment Pexuclu and the bowel cleansing agent CleanCol, to create a comprehensive solution.Pexuclu has been a strong performer, generating sales of 20.3 billion won in the first quarter of this year, accounting for 6% of the company's total revenue. Launched in 2022 as Korea's 34th new drug, Pexuclu received product approval in China last year.Under this partnership, the two companies will divide responsibilities to expand the domestic supply of WAYMED Endo. Daewoong will leverage its nationwide hospital sales network to market and sell the product to tertiary hospitals, general hospitals, health screening centers, and clinics, while Weisen will focus on product enhancement and technical support.WAYMED Endo is an AI-based software that analyzes gastrointestinal endoscopic images in real-time. It assists in detecting lesions that are easily overlooked, such as those behind folds or at the edges, as well as small lesions measuring 2 to 3 millimeters. Additionally, it automatically measures key endoscopic quality indicators, such as examination and retrieval times, contributing to improved quality control and efficiency for medical professionals.The software can be integrated with various endoscopic equipment, allowing healthcare facilities to adopt it without the need for additional capital investment in new equipment.WAYMED Endo was designated as the 37th innovative medical device by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety in July 2023 and is currently being utilized in medical institutions both domestically and internationally.Daewoong CEO Lee Chang-jae stated, "This collaboration marks the starting point for expanding our digital healthcare business into the gastrointestinal disease sector, and we aim to contribute to improving the examination environment and efficiency for medical professionals."Weisen CEO Kim Kyung-nam expressed optimism, stating, "Our partnership with Daewoong is expected to be a catalyst for expanding the domestic AI endoscopy market."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-10 11:20:00