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RIIZE's 'II' tops Korea's monthly album chart three weeks after release SEOUL, July 09 (AJP) - K-pop boy group RIIZE's second EP, "II," released June 15, is still adding to its chart tally nearly a month later, topping Circle Chart's monthly album ranking for June and reaching No. 1 on Japan's Oricon daily album chart this week, SM Entertainment said Thursday. Most K-pop comebacks peak in their first week and taper off from there. "II" has instead kept climbing: the EP already led Circle Chart's weekly album and download rankings shortly after release, and it is now topping the monthly tally as well, weeks after most albums would have fallen out of contention. The same pattern held in Japan. "II" reached No. 1 on Oricon's daily album chart on July 7, more than three weeks after its release, alongside chart wins on AWA's real-time chart and Recochoku's weekly album ranking. "II" had already become RIIZE's fourth million-selling album and topped Hanteo Chart's weekly album chart, Melon's Global K-pop daily and HOT100 charts, iTunes' Top Albums chart in six regions, and a combined K-pop chart across five platforms under China's Tencent Music, earning a platinum certification on QQ Music along the way. RIIZE has also picked up three music show trophies for the title track "Do Your Dance." The group will release a dance practice video for another EP track, "D-D-Done," on its YouTube channel at 9 p.m. (1200 GMT) Thursday. RIIZE consists of Shotaro, Eunseok, Sungchan, Wonbin, Sohee and Anton. 2026-07-09 12:52:49 -
BOK reaffirms rate-hike stance on stronger inflation and growth SEOUL, July 09 (AJP) - The Bank of Korea reiterated Thursday that the benchmark rates should go higher, given inflation running above the 2 percent target, stronger growth, and risks to financial stability. The latest remarks reinforced signals already sent at the BOK’s May policy meeting, when 19 of 21 dots in the central bank’s six-month conditional rate outlook pointed to levels above the current 2.50 percent, followed by Shin’s repeated public comments in June that rate increases would be needed to keep inflation under control. BOK Gov. Shin Hyun-song presented the assessment ahead of facing regular probe by the National Assembly's Finance and Economy Planning Committee. “The Bank of Korea judges that it is necessary to raise the base rate at an appropriate time,” Shin said, citing inflation above the target, improving growth and growing financial stability risks. The central bank has kept its base rate at 2.50 percent since last cut in May last year. The BOK said Korea’s economy is expected to maintain solid growth as the semiconductor cycle remains strong and tensions in the Middle East ease. In its May outlook, the central bank projected the economy to grow 2.6 percent this year, up sharply from 1.1 percent last year. Exports have continued to expand rapidly, led by semiconductors, as global artificial intelligence investment boosts demand for high-performance memory chips. The central bank said semiconductor strength is expected to spill over to other parts of the economy, supporting both exports and domestic demand. Still, it warned that the growth path remains uncertain due to the pace of AI investment, geopolitical risks and U.S. tariff policy. It also noted that the benefits of the semiconductor upturn remain concentrated in certain industries and income groups, which could slow the broader economic spillover. Inflation was another key concern in the report. Consumer price inflation, which had stood at 2.0 percent in January and February, rose to 3.2 percent in June. Core inflation stood at 2.5 percent in June, while the living necessities price index rose 3.4 percent. The BOK said lower oil prices may ease headline inflation, but stronger demand from the improving economy and the pass-through of higher costs from the weak won could keep inflation elevated. Won-denominated import prices rose 24.8 percent from a year earlier in May, while non-energy import prices increased 18.3 percent. Financial and foreign exchange markets have also become more volatile, the central bank said. The won-dollar exchange rate has been trading in the low- to mid-1,500 won range despite Korea’s large current account surplus, pressured by continued foreign selling of Korean stocks and a stronger U.S. dollar. Foreign investors sold a net 40.4 trillion won worth of Korean stocks in March, 48.5 trillion won in May and 57.2 trillion won in June. The BOK said much of the selling since May reflected profit-taking and portfolio rebalancing after a sharp rally in Korean equities. The KOSPI has risen 91.9 percent this year, supported by the semiconductor boom and expectations for capital market reforms. But the central bank said volatility has increased as investment demand remains concentrated in semiconductor stocks, while concerns over AI profitability and uncertainty over U.S. monetary policy add pressure to the market. The BOK said Korea’s financial system remains broadly stable, supported by stronger real economic growth and sound resilience at financial institutions. The central bank said it will continue market stabilization efforts, including monitoring risk events, conducting smoothing operations in the foreign exchange market and using foreign exchange swaps with the National Pension Service. 2026-07-09 12:52:20 -
Seoul Partners with Dunamu to Enhance Digital Financial Education for Youth Seoul is collaborating with Dunamu, the operator of the country's largest digital asset exchange, Upbit, to enhance the financial capabilities of its youth. The city plans to expand its flagship youth financial support program, Seoul Young Tech, which has focused on financial planning and asset management, to include digital assets, creating a future-oriented financial education system suitable for the AI era. On July 9, Seoul announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Dunamu at the Korea Press Center. The signing ceremony was attended by Kim Cheol-hee, the Director of Future Youth Planning for Seoul, and Yoon Seon-joo, Chief Brand Impact Officer of Dunamu. This agreement aims to support young people in understanding digital assets correctly and making informed financial decisions amid rapid changes in the financial landscape driven by generative AI and blockchain technology. As digital assets, including cryptocurrencies, have become a major investment target for youth, there is an increasing need for financial education to prevent misinformation and financial fraud. Starting in August, Seoul and Dunamu will launch specialized financial education on digital assets at the Seoul Youth Center. The curriculum will cover basic concepts of blockchain and digital assets, investment risk management, fraud prevention, and the establishment of a healthy investment culture in a step-by-step format. Practical training will also be provided, using real cases of digital asset investment fraud to help participants learn to verify online investment information and make rational investment decisions. To make financial learning more engaging and accessible for youth, experiential programs will be introduced. Seoul and Dunamu plan to co-host a quiz event tentatively named 'Youth Financial Golden Bell' to enhance understanding of digital assets and finance. This agreement is significant as it broadens the scope of Seoul's flagship financial education policy, Seoul Young Tech. Seoul Young Tech is a key youth policy that provides tailored financial counseling and education to help young people build assets and achieve economic independence. From 2021 to last year, over 75,000 individuals participated in counseling and education, with an average net asset increase of 45% among participants compared to their first consultation, demonstrating the program's effectiveness. With this agreement, Seoul aims to integrate digital finance into its existing financial planning education, establishing a comprehensive financial education system that responds to changes in the future financial environment. Kim Cheol-hee stated, "Digital finance is a crucial area for the future society that young people will inhabit. Through our collaboration with Dunamu, we will continuously expand effective financial education and content to help youth actively respond to the changing financial landscape." 2026-07-09 12:44:00 -
Safety Certification Holders Exceed 60,000 for Third Consecutive Year as AI Training Expands 산업현장에서 안전관리의 중요성이 커지면서 산업안전 관련 국가기술자격 취득자가 최근 3년 연속 6만명을 넘어선 것으로 나타났다. 고용노동부는 9일 산업안전보건의 달을 맞아 산업안전 관련 국가기술자격 취득 현황과 직업능력개발제도를 활용한 안전 분야 직업훈련 과정을 소개했다.한국산업인력공단 국가기술자격 통계에 따르면 산업안전보건 관련 주요 국가기술자격 취득자는 지난해 6만570명으로 집계됐다. 2021년 3만3561명, 2022년 4만795명에서 2023년 6만2306명으로 처음 6만명을 넘어선 뒤 2024년 6만4553명에 이어 3년 연속 6만명대를 기록했다.자격별로 보면 지난해 산업안전기사 취득자가 3만1312명으로 가장 많았다. 산업안전산업기사 1만1391명, 건설안전기사 9269명, 산업위생관리기사 3917명 등이 뒤를 이었다.전체 안전 관련 자격 취득자는 전년보다 6.2% 줄었지만 산업안전기사와 산업안전산업기사 취득자는 각각 0.2%, 8.3% 증가했다. 건설안전기사 취득자가 줄어든 것과 달리 산업 전반에 적용되는 안전관리 자격 취득자는 증가세를 이어갔다.산업안전 관련 자격 취득 과정에는 국민내일배움카드를 활용할 수 있다. 고용24에서 산업안전기사와 산업안전산업기사 등 안전 관련 자격 취득 준비 과정을 확인해 경력과 희망 진로에 맞는 훈련을 선택할 수 있다. 훈련 과정에서는 기계·전기·화학설비 위험요인과 건설현장 안전관리 등 실무 지식을 익힌다.인공지능(AI)과 디지털 기술을 활용한 안전 훈련도 확대되고 있다. 노동부와 한국기술교육대학교 온라인평생교육원이 운영하는 온라인 직업교육·훈련 플랫폼 'STEP'은 올해 5~7월 AI 리터러시와 직무별 AI 활용 역량을 높이기 위한 이러닝 과정 24개를 순차적으로 제공한다.'기계 안전관리와 AI 리스크 분석' 등 산업안전 관련 과정도 포함됐다. 기계설비와 전기설비, 제조공정에서 발생할 수 있는 위험요인을 데이터와 AI 관점에서 분석해 사고 예방과 위험관리 역량을 높이는 방식이다.외국인 노동자를 위한 안전보건교육도 강화한다. STEP은 한국산업안전보건공단과 협력해 영어와 베트남어, 중국어 등 17개 언어로 기초 안전보건 이러닝 콘텐츠를 제공하고 있다. 앞으로 러시아어와 카자흐스탄어를 추가해 19개 언어로 확대하고 '쉬운 안전보건교육' 콘텐츠도 추가할 예정이다.한국폴리텍대학은 2024년부터 2년제 학위과정과 직업훈련 과정 전반에 산업안전 교과를 필수 편성하고 있다. 기계와 반도체, 전기 등 분야별 특성을 반영한 안전교육을 실시해 현재까지 약 4만2000명의 훈련생이 산업안전 교과를 이수했다.편도인 노동부 직업능력정책국장은 "더 잘 일하는 것뿐만 아니라 더 안전하게 일하는 것도 중요하다"며 "직무역량과 함께 위험요인을 인식하고 사고를 예방하는 산업안전 역량을 키울 수 있도록 직업훈련 참여를 적극 지원하겠다"고 말했다.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-09 12:04:00
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Yujin Group Plans 2 Trillion Won Investment in Media Sector Yujin Group is set to invest 2 trillion won in its media business, aiming to establish it as a core growth driver alongside its construction materials and finance sectors. The company has set a specific target of achieving 500 billion won in media revenue by 2031.On July 9, Yujin Entertainment, the media holding company of Yujin Group, held a press conference at its headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul, to unveil its 'Vision for Yujin Group's Media Business.'To support the expansion and operation of Yujin Entertainment, the group plans to conduct a capital increase of 30 billion won this year. Additionally, it intends to invest over 2 trillion won in various initiatives, including securing additional media in the K-lifestyle sector, transitioning acquired media to AI, and establishing a media and content fund, with the goal of revitalizing the stagnant domestic media industry.Under this blueprint, Yujin Group aims to achieve over 500 billion won in revenue within five years through its media entities, including YTN, Yujin Entertainment, and Studio Yujinia. This goal is part of the group's vision to explore new business areas that can expand into the global market, in addition to its existing portfolio of ready-mixed concrete, construction materials, and financial services.The core of Yujin Group's media business vision is to redefine media not merely as a content production and distribution business but as a 'Business of Trust.' This concept positions 'verified and reliable information' as a key asset, allowing for expansion into various fields such as data, commerce, and events.Similar to how the global media group Penske Media Corporation has expanded its business through Billboard and the South by Southwest (SXSW) festival, Yujin Group aspires to cultivate media that influences people's lives and industries beyond traditional broadcasting.Kang Hee-seok, CEO of Yujin Entertainment, stated, "In the changing media landscape brought about by the era of AI agents, the traditional media business model reliant on advertising and subscription fees is bound to face limitations. The trust that a good media company has built over time has become a rare asset that is difficult to replace. Yujin Group will build a comprehensive media platform that connects content and data related to K-industry with capital and a global network."He also emphasized that the acquisition of YTN is the starting point of this strategy, stating, "We will apply a sustainable growth formula through consistent investment, aiming to become a media company recognized for its strong influence in the global market over the next century."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-09 12:04:00
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Korea's Fair Trade Commission Discovers Price Fixing Among SolidWorks Dealers, Imposes $1.8 Million Fine Dealers selling SolidWorks, a CAD software essential for product design in machinery and electronics, have been caught by fair trade authorities for setting minimum prices. The collusion reportedly led to price increases of over 50% for key products, significantly raising costs for domestic manufacturers.On July 9, the Fair Trade Commission announced it would impose a fine of 2.372 billion won (approximately $1.8 million) and issue corrective orders against eight companies involved in the price-fixing scheme. SolidWorks is well-known for its use in creating technical drawings.The companies penalized include Node Data, Maven, Solco, Web System Korea, Weaverman, K&Solution, Han Young Solutech, and Prism. These firms are dealers that exclusively sell SolidWorks products supplied by Dassault Systèmes Korea, effectively monopolizing the domestic market.The investigation revealed that the collusion began after the supplier's exclusive sales protection policy was halted due to regulatory actions. As competition among dealers intensified and product prices fell, these companies sought to avoid competition and increase profits by forming a collusion system.They initially agreed on minimum selling prices for key product lines and established a 'client restriction' agreement, prohibiting other dealers from approaching existing clients. When existing clients sought quotes from other dealers, they submitted prices above the pre-agreed amounts.Notably, they also implemented a system to expel any dealer that violated the agreement more than three times.As a result of the collusion, the average selling price of SolidWorks CAD software rose by 53.81% compared to before the collusion. The Fair Trade Commission stated that this cost increase has hindered the competitiveness of the domestic manufacturing industry.Consequently, the commission imposed a fine of 2.372 billion won for violations of the Fair Trade Act. The fines for each company include 429 million won for Weaverman, 388 million won for Node Data, 372 million won for Maven, 292 million won for K&Solution, 286 million won for Han Young Solutech, 271 million won for Solco, 258 million won for Prism, and 76 million won for Web System Korea.A Fair Trade Commission official stated, "The significance of this action lies in uncovering and penalizing collusion that has raised the costs of essential software for product development, thereby undermining industrial competitiveness. We expect this measure will improve collusion practices in the industrial software sales market."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-09 12:04:00
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Government to Utilize Power Remote Metering Infrastructure for Water Supply The government plans to leverage the nationwide electricity remote metering infrastructure for water supply metering. While the adoption rate of intelligent remote metering infrastructure (AMI) in the electricity sector exceeds 90%, the water sector lags behind at around 20%. The initiative aims to reduce costs and expand the deployment of water remote metering by utilizing existing electricity infrastructure.On July 10, the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment will sign a memorandum of understanding with Paju City, Korea Electric Power Corporation, and Korea Water Resources Corporation at the KEPCO Southern Seoul Headquarters in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, to integrate electricity and water AMI.AMI is a system that digitally collects and transmits data on electricity or water usage remotely. This technology allows for automatic monitoring of usage without the need for meter readers to visit homes, enabling users to access real-time consumption information.Currently, the national adoption rate of electricity AMI is approximately 91%, indicating that deployment is nearing completion. In contrast, the adoption rate for water AMI stands at only 24%. The costs associated with replacing existing non-electronic water meters have posed a barrier to expanding deployment.In response, the government will promote the joint use of existing electricity AMI. It plans to install integrated remote metering modems on electricity AMI that have reached the end of their usable life or need replacement, linking both electricity and water metering information. The Ministry estimates that this approach could reduce installation costs by about 25% compared to establishing a separate water remote metering infrastructure.Paju City will serve as the first pilot area. The government intends to conduct a pilot project integrating electricity and water AMI for 1,000 households in Paju City and plans to expand the initiative to other local governments based on the results.Additionally, services that residents can easily access will be introduced. A smartphone application will allow users to view both electricity and water usage simultaneously and receive billing notifications. Future plans include a service that alerts users to any unusual consumption patterns.Kim Ho-eun, Director of Water Use Policy at the Ministry, stated, "Electricity and water are essential services that support the daily lives and industries of the public. We expect this to be a model case that enhances operational efficiency by linking the infrastructure and information of both sectors."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-09 12:04:00
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Household Loans Surge by 7.6 Trillion Won Amid Housing Market Activity Last month, a significant increase in mortgage loans led to the largest rise in household loans from banks in 22 months.According to the Bank of Korea's report on 'Financial Market Trends,' as of the end of last month, the balance of household loans from deposit banks, including policy mortgage loans, reached 1,189.4 trillion won, an increase of 7.6 trillion won from the previous month. This marks the largest increase since August 2024, when it rose by 9.2 trillion won.The balance of mortgage loans increased by 4.3 trillion won to 945 trillion won, driving the overall rise in household loans. Although there was a continued decline in jeonse (key money deposit) loans, the increase in mortgage loans was amplified by a rise in housing transactions in the metropolitan area during April and May, along with demand for interim payments on pre-sold apartments.The balance of other loans, including credit loans, rose by 3.3 trillion won to 243.5 trillion won. The increase was fueled by growing demand for funds for stock investments, despite the write-offs of non-performing loans at the end of the quarter.Park, a team leader at the Bank of Korea, stated, "The impact of increased housing transactions in April has led to a steady rise in housing-related loans, not just from banks but across all household loans, including non-bank institutions. Other loans also recorded an overall increase of around 8 trillion won due to rising demand for stock investment funds."He added, "Since housing transactions are reflected in loans with a time lag, loans related to home purchases are expected to face significant upward pressure for the time being. Other loans may exhibit high volatility depending on individual stock investment situations, so it is essential to closely monitor the trends in the housing market and household loans together."The balance of corporate loans from banks increased by 5.1 trillion won from the previous month to 1,413.4 trillion won.Despite temporary repayments for financial ratio management at the end of the half-year, loans to large corporations increased by 3.4 trillion won due to ongoing demand for working capital for bank lending and corporate bond repayments.In contrast, loans to small and medium-sized enterprises saw a decrease in growth from 5.4 trillion won the previous month to 1.7 trillion won, influenced by write-offs of non-performing loans and reduced lending from some specialized banks.Corporate bonds continued to see repayment burdens due to rising interest rates, recording a net repayment of 2.9 trillion won last month, following a net repayment of 1.1 trillion won the previous month.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-09 12:04:00
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Foreign Employment Declines for Second Consecutive Year Amid Economic Struggles The number of foreign workers in South Korea has declined for the second consecutive year, primarily due to sluggish performance in the construction and manufacturing sectors. Notably, for the first time since the data began being compiled, the number of arrivals from Vietnam has surpassed that from China.According to the National Data Agency's '2025 International Migration Statistics' released on July 9, the net international migration last year was 74,000, a decrease of 51,000 from the previous year. The statistics focus on foreigners and nationals who have left their country of residence for more than 90 days.The total number of individuals moving for more than 90 days was 1.296 million, down by 33,000 (-2.5%) from the previous year. Arrivals totaled 685,000, a decrease of 42,000 (-5.8%), while departures increased by 9,000 (1.5%) to 611,000.Among these, the total number of foreign movers was 438,000 men and 368,000 women, with the number of women increasing by 2,000 compared to the previous year. The net international migration of foreigners continued for the fourth consecutive year with a net influx of 50,000, although this figure shrank by 48,000 from the previous year.In terms of age, the largest group of foreign arrivals was in their 20s, totaling 151,000, followed by those in their 30s (99,000), teens (53,000), and 40s (47,000).When looking at the international movement figures by visa type, employment accounted for the largest share at 37.4%. This was followed by study and general training (25.2%) and permanent residency and marriage migration (13.15%). Among these, short-term arrivals numbered 54,000, a decrease of 19,000 (25.9%) from the previous year, while employment arrivals fell by 4,000 to 160,000.The Data Agency attributed the decline in employment arrivals to the economic downturn in the construction and manufacturing sectors, as well as a reduction in the quota for foreign workers. The Ministry of Employment and Labor had previously set the E-9 quota at 130,000, a reduction of 35,000 from the previous year.Yoo Soo-deok, head of the population estimates team at the Data Agency, stated, "Both skilled and unskilled workers have decreased compared to the previous year, and the number of unskilled workers entering under the E-9 visa has declined for two consecutive years. The sectors where these foreign workers primarily find employment are construction and manufacturing, which suggests that the domestic economic downturn has had an impact."Vietnam, China, and the United States accounted for half of the foreign arrivals, with the number of arrivals from Vietnam surpassing that from China for the first time since the statistics began in 2000. Last year, 98,000 Vietnamese entered South Korea, exceeding the 94,000 from China by 4,000. This figure is nearly four times that of the United States, which had 23,000 arrivals. Vietnam also had the highest net influx, with 28,000, followed by Nepal with 16,000 and Uzbekistan with 6,000.Yoo noted, "China has seen a continuous decline in arrivals under the overseas Korean, visiting worker, and H-2 visa categories, while Vietnam has experienced an increase in arrivals under study and general training visas, as well as a significant share in seasonal worker visas."Meanwhile, the number of South Korean nationals entering and exiting the country has also decreased, with arrivals down by 19,000 (-7.0%) to 257,000 and departures down by 16,000 (-6.5%) to 233,000. The net migration of South Koreans has continued to show a net influx for the second consecutive year since turning positive in 2024, although the net influx has decreased by 3,000. 2026-07-09 12:04:00
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Edge AI Smartwatch Shipments Surge 70% in Q1, Apple Holds 90% Market Share The market for 'edge AI smartwatches,' which operate artificial intelligence (AI) directly on the device without relying on smartphones or cloud services, has seen explosive growth. According to global market research firm Counterpoint Research, shipments of edge AI smartwatches increased by 70% year-over-year in the first quarter, accounting for 25% of the total smartwatch market. The demand for edge AI smartwatches has surged as these devices have evolved from simple activity trackers to advanced tools that provide real-time health analysis and personalized information. Advancements in low-power AI chips have driven this change. By performing AI computations directly on the device, these smartwatches reduce battery consumption and can immediately detect anomalies such as falls or arrhythmias. Processing personal health data internally also enhances privacy protection. Brand-wise, Apple dominated the first quarter, capturing approximately 90% of edge AI smartwatch shipments. The enhancement of health and fitness features is particularly driving the expansion of edge AI applications. As smartwatches analyze heart rate, sleep patterns, and body temperature in real time, the rate of disease detection has significantly increased. The industry is now focusing on developing management technologies for complex conditions such as diabetes. Competition among global chipset manufacturers is also intense. Following Apple's introduction of the 'S9' chip with a neural engine in 2023, Huawei launched its self-developed 'Kirin W80' chip and AI assistant 'Celia' last year. This year, Qualcomm announced the 'Snapdragon Wear Elite' featuring a dedicated neural processing unit (NPU), while Google is expected to enhance the AI capabilities of its next-generation tensor-based wearable chips. Counterpoint Research stated, "Edge AI smartwatches are evolving beyond just dedicated chip integration to a phase of software optimization," predicting that the share of edge AI in the global smartwatch market will rise to about 32% this year.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-09 11:56:00