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Woori Bank Provides Emergency Loans to Homeplus Suppliers Facing Bankruptcy Woori Bank is stepping in to provide emergency financial support to suppliers of Homeplus, which is facing a crisis following the decision to terminate its corporate rehabilitation process.On July 9, Woori Bank announced it will implement a "Special Management Stabilization Support" program for small and medium-sized enterprises and small business owners experiencing operational difficulties due to the termination of Homeplus's rehabilitation process.The bank will offer new loans of up to 500 million won per company to help affected businesses secure necessary funds. For existing loans, Woori Bank will extend the maturity without requiring principal repayment.Additionally, the bank will provide preferential loan rates and fee benefits based on the scale of damages and financial circumstances of each company. For export companies, the grace period for handling export bills in default will be extended from the current 60 days to a maximum of 90 days.Baek Yeon-soo, head of Woori Bank's corporate group, stated, "We have prepared this support plan to assist partner small and medium-sized enterprises and small business owners who are struggling due to sudden changes in the business environment. We will spare no financial support to help affected companies achieve operational normalization."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-09 09:16:00 -
Oscar-winning actress Youn Yuh-jung earns Emmy nod 'Beef' 2 SEOUL, July 9 (AJP) - Oscar-winning South Korean actress Youn Yuh-jung has been nominated for an Emmy Award, which will be presented this fall. The U.S. Television Academy on Wednesday announced the nominees for the 78th Primetime Emmy Awards, with Youn receiving a nomination for outstanding supporting actress in a limited or anthology series or movie for her role in the second season of Netflix series "Beef." The nomination adds to Youn's long list of international accolades following her Academy Award-winning performance in "Minari" in 2021, marking another milestone in her acclaimed career. If she wins the Emmy, Youn would become the first South Korean actress to win both an Oscar and an Emmy. Directed by South Korean-American filmmaker Lee Sung-jin, the second season of "Beef" was partly filmed here and follows the success of the first season, which won eight Emmy Awards in 2024. In the series, Youn played a billionaire who acquires a country club, appearing alongside Song Kang-ho as an older married couple. Along with Youn's nomination, the series earned multiple other Emmy nods including Carey Mulligan for lead actress, Oscar Isaac for lead actor, and Charles Melton for supporting actor, as well as nominations for casting, cinematography, contemporary costumes, picture editing, sound editing, sound mixing, stunt coordination, and writing. This year's Emmy Awards ceremony is scheduled to take place at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles on Sept. 14. The annual awards ceremony celebrates excellence in the television industry by recognizing outstanding achievements through awards and honors. 2026-07-09 09:14:48 -
Coupang Launches Women's Fashion Sale Featuring Over 40 Brands Coupang is launching a fashion sale targeting summer clothing demand, featuring both domestic and international women's apparel brands. The company aims to attract female fashion customers by offering daily special prices on seasonal items and coupons based on purchase amounts. Coupang announced on July 9 that it will hold a 'Women's Fashion Festival' until July 12. The event will include participation from over 40 women's clothing brands, including Mardi Mercredi, Juicy Judy, Misso, Kenneth Lady, On&On, Roem, and Olive des Olive. The sale will focus on summer clothing and daily essentials. Featured items include Levi's wide-leg pants, Juicy Judy's short-sleeve shirt jacket, and New Balance's slim-fit t-shirts. During the event, Coupang will operate 'Weekly Specials' and 'Brand Specials.' A 'Daily Special' section will also be introduced, offering new products at discounted prices for a limited time each morning. The lineup will change daily, focusing on clothing and casual items that are in high demand during the summer. Coupang will provide discount coupons based on purchase amounts. Customers who spend over 50,000 won will receive a 5,000 won discount, while those who spend over 100,000 won will get a 15,000 won discount. Additionally, customers who set their favorite brand shops, such as Atelier Nine, Laura Laura, Covernat Woman, and Kenneth Lady, will receive an extra 3,000 won discount coupon for use at those brands. Coupang has been increasing its brand offerings in the fashion category. In April, it officially welcomed the K-fashion designer brand Mardi Mercredi, showcasing over 260 items, including exclusive and unreleased products. A Coupang representative stated, "We have gathered a variety of popular women's clothing brands for customers considering summer fashion items. We hope this provides an opportunity for them to purchase necessary items at reasonable prices through various discounts and special offers."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-09 09:12:00
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Fed Officials Discuss Need for Interest Rate Hike Amid Inflation Concerns Officials within the U.S. Federal Reserve have indicated a need to consider raising the benchmark interest rate. Although the rate was unanimously held steady during the June meeting, concerns about inflation have intensified.According to the minutes from the June Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting, released on July 8, participants assessed that the upside risks to price stability remain high. In contrast, the risks associated with a slowdown in employment have somewhat eased.The minutes noted, "Several participants mentioned that, considering recent labor market conditions and supply shocks in energy, there is a case for raising the target range for the benchmark interest rate." However, all participants agreed to maintain the rate at 3.50% to 3.75%.The Fed anticipates that inflation will remain elevated in the short term, driven by rising energy prices due to conflicts in the Middle East, tariff burdens, and supply chain disruptions.The surge in artificial intelligence (AI) investments was also highlighted as a factor influencing prices. Most participants pointed out that demand for AI infrastructure could sustain upward pressure on prices for semiconductors, electricity, and equipment.This meeting marked the first FOMC session chaired by new Fed Chair Kevin Warsh. Following the June meeting, Warsh significantly reduced the length of his statement and removed forward guidance on future interest rate paths. According to the minutes, committee members generally responded positively to this change in communication style.Market attention is now shifting to whether the Fed will signal a rate increase at its next meeting. If inflation continues to decelerate slowly and costs related to energy and AI investments persist, uncertainty surrounding the Fed's interest rate trajectory is expected to grow.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-09 09:08:00
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Trump Claims Iran Desires Agreement Amid Tensions President Donald Trump asserted that Iran wants to reach an agreement with the United States, though he expressed skepticism about the likelihood of actual compliance.On July 8, during a conversation with reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump stated, "Iran just called, and they are very eager to make a deal."However, he maintained a cautious stance regarding the potential for negotiations, saying, "I don’t know if they are capable of making a deal. I don’t know if they will keep it. That’s the problem."In response to questions about Iran's desire for an agreement despite its recent attacks on commercial vessels, Trump remarked, "They are a bit crazy. They are somewhat out of control. But they want a deal. They want it very badly."Trump also warned that the U.S. would respond strongly if Iran attacks American targets, stating, "Every time they hit us, we will hit them back 20 times as hard." He added that it remains uncertain whether the U.S. and Iran are moving toward resuming serious negotiations.Earlier, U.S. forces conducted airstrikes against Iran in response to attacks on commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz. Reports indicate that Iran is preparing for a large-scale retaliation against U.S. military bases in the region, signaling a potential escalation in U.S.-Iran tensions.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-09 09:04:00
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Market Preview: U.S.-Iran Tensions Impact Mixed New York Stocks; KOSPI Sees Bargain Buying Hopes U.S. and Iran military tensions have escalated, leading to a mixed close on Wall Street. However, a late rebound in U.S. semiconductor stocks and strong performance from major semiconductor firms in the domestic pre-market have raised expectations for bargain buying in the KOSPI on July 9.On July 8, the Dow Jones Industrial Average closed down 576.76 points (1.09%) at 52,348.39. The S&P 500 index fell 21.14 points (0.28%) to 7,482.71, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq gained 51.96 points (0.20%) to finish at 25,870.65.Investors are closely monitoring the situation in the Middle East. President Donald Trump indicated that negotiations for a ceasefire with Iran have effectively ended, suggesting the possibility of further military action, which has dampened investor sentiment. However, late in the session, bargain buying in semiconductor stocks helped mitigate losses.Among individual stocks, NVIDIA rose 3.65%, and Apple increased by 0.88%. In contrast, Microsoft fell 1.41%, Meta dropped 2.02%, and Tesla declined by 2.19%.International oil prices surged as geopolitical risks in the Middle East resurfaced. On the New York Mercantile Exchange, West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude for August delivery rose $3.08 (4.37%) to close at $73.52 per barrel. Meanwhile, Brent crude for September delivery increased by $3.86 (5.2%) to $78.02 per barrel on the London ICE Futures Exchange.Despite the geopolitical tensions, the domestic market may recover from recent declines, buoyed by the rebound in U.S. semiconductor stocks and the attractiveness of prices following recent drops.As of 8:49 a.m., in the NXT pre-market, Samsung Electronics was up 3.60%, and SK Hynix rose 5.83%. Other major stocks, including SK Square (3.94%), Samsung Electro-Mechanics (3.52%), and LG Energy Solution (1.11%), also showed strong gains.Market analysts noted that while geopolitical risks may increase short-term volatility, investor focus is shifting back to semiconductor industry trends and the upcoming earnings season.Han Ji-young, a researcher at Kiwoom Securities, stated, "Despite concerns over the halt of U.S.-Iran ceasefire negotiations, the rebound in U.S. semiconductor stocks, the strength of KOSPI 200 night futures, and the perception of excessive declines over the past three trading days will provide incentives for bargain buying. The recent series of declines has been more influenced by supply-demand dynamics and investor sentiment rather than fundamental deterioration, so it is advisable to focus on gradual buying in sectors that have seen excessive declines, such as semiconductors, MLCCs, power equipment, and securities."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-09 09:00:00
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MakinaRocks Launches First Offline Recruitment Campaign, 'Don't Use AI' Physical AI company MakinaRocks is launching its first offline recruitment campaign, titled 'Don't Use AI,' to attract talent across more than 30 positions, including Forward Deployed Engineers (FDE), project managers, researchers, sales, and finance. On July 9, MakinaRocks announced that it is conducting open recruitment as it expands its business, supplying physical AI solutions and AI operating systems to mission-critical industries such as manufacturing, defense, semiconductors, and energy. The largest number of positions available in this recruitment drive is for FDEs. FDEs are deployed directly to customer sites, collaborating with domain experts, IT teams, and AI engineers to design and implement AI systems that consider data structures, operational methods, and security environments. This role is part of an organization that MakinaRocks has been developing as a strategic unit since 2024, focusing on creating AI that can be repeatedly operated in the field beyond laboratory-validated models. The company noted that major global tech firms, including Microsoft (with its $2.5 billion 'Frontier' organization) and Amazon Web Services (AWS, with its $1 billion FDE organization), have established dedicated FDE teams this year, indicating a trend where the real value of AI emerges not in labs but in practical applications. Candidates who apply by July 21 and are accepted will receive two benefits: a welcome bonus of 5 million won and a 'one-day pass' interview schedule that allows them to complete competency, skills, and culture fit interviews in a single day. This streamlined process is designed to accommodate current employees without adding to their annual leave burden. MakinaRocks offers flexible working hours outside of core hours (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.), support for AI tools and development software, and funding for books, lectures, and study costs to enhance work engagement. The company also has a 'Extra Miler' program that rewards outstanding employees with 5 million won each month, an employee referral program (up to 6 million won), and compensation for patent applications and registrations. The main slogan of this campaign is 'Don't Use AI. If it can't truly change the world.' This reflects the awareness that, despite the surge in generative AI, few companies achieve measurable results from AI in complex industrial settings. Yoon Seong-ho, CEO of MakinaRocks, stated, 'MakinaRocks is a team that has created AI that leads to real results in the most challenging and unpredictable physical environments, from battlefields to factories. We look forward to receiving applications from those who want to help create AI that truly changes the world.'* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-09 09:00:00
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Sangsangin Securities Raises LG Electronics Target Price Amid Business Growth Sangsangin Securities reported on July 9 that LG Electronics has strengthened its core business profitability through expanded sales in home appliance subscriptions and business-to-business (B2B) transactions. The firm noted that the company's cooling solutions for AI data centers and robotics components will serve as factors for valuation reassessment. Consequently, Sangsangin raised its target price for LG Electronics to 230,000 won while maintaining a 'buy' rating.In a report released that day, analyst Jeong Min-kyu stated, "LG Electronics is expected to maintain a profit growth trend despite a seasonal decline in operating profit to 962.8 billion won in the third quarter, thanks to the expansion of home appliance subscriptions and B2B sales, as well as improved profitability in the vehicle component solutions (VS) sector."He added, "Key momentum in the second half will depend on securing orders for AI data center chillers from North American clients and the development of the robotics actuator business. We are also paying attention to the increase in HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) shipments due to market expansion in Europe."Jeong projected that LG Electronics will achieve sales of 96.1629 trillion won this year, a 7.8% increase from the previous year, and an operating profit of 4.5839 trillion won, up 84.9% year-on-year.Regarding the second quarter's revenue, he noted, "The figures include approximately 400 billion won in customs refunds, but even excluding this, the normal operating profit is expected to be around 1.2 trillion won, exceeding consensus estimates. Improvements are anticipated across major business divisions, including strong sales of high-value media entertainment solutions (MS) TVs and enhanced profitability in VS projects, in addition to the refunds concentrated in home appliances (HS)."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-09 08:56:00
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Youn Yuh-jung Nominated for Emmy Award for 'The Angry People 2' Actress Youn Yuh-jung has been nominated for an Emmy Award, one of the most prestigious television awards in the United States.According to the entertainment news outlet Deadline, the Television Academy announced the nominees for the 78th Primetime Emmy Awards on July 8. Youn Yuh-jung received a nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie for her role in the Netflix series 'The Angry People' Season 2.In 'The Angry People' Season 2, Youn portrays Chairman Park, a billionaire Korean who has recently acquired a country club. Song Kang-ho makes a special appearance as Dr. Kim, playing Youn's husband in a couple with an age difference.Youn Yuh-jung made history in 2021 when she became the first Korean actress to win an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role in the film 'Minari.' If she wins the Emmy, it would mark another significant achievement in her career.In 2022, Lee Jung-jae won the Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series for his role in the Netflix series 'Squid Game,' marking a notable moment for Korean actors at the Emmys.'The Angry People' Season 2, directed by Korean-American Lee Sung-jin, received multiple nominations in various categories at this year's Emmy Awards. In addition to Youn's nomination, Carey Mulligan and Oscar Isaac are nominated for Outstanding Lead Actress and Actor, respectively, while Charles Melton is nominated for Outstanding Supporting Actor.The series is also nominated in key production categories, including casting, contemporary costumes, directing, and editing. Charles Melton, nominated for Outstanding Supporting Actor, is of mixed Korean heritage.'The Angry People' previously won eight Emmy Awards, including Outstanding Series and Outstanding Lead Actor and Actress, for its first season in 2024. During that ceremony, Steven Yeun, a Korean-American actor, received the Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actor.The 78th Primetime Emmy Awards ceremony will take place on September 14 at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-09 08:56:00
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Public Opinion Shifts on the Jang Yoon-ki Case Amid Police Evidence Tampering Allegations As allegations of evidence tampering by police in the Gwangju high school girl murder case involving 23-year-old Jang Yoon-ki continue to grow, calls for the necessity of supplementary investigation rights for the prosecution are increasing online. Notably, even progressive online communities, typically supportive of prosecution reform, are expressing the sentiment that "the prosecution and police must check each other."Recently, it has been reported that the prosecution has secured evidence indicating that the head of the investigation team and Jang Yoon-ki's father, a current police official in Gwangju, had multiple phone conversations shortly after the incident.Details of the calls reportedly include Jang Yoon-ki's father asking the investigation team leader, "Is the place where Jang Yoon-ki discarded his mobile phone under the Yeongsan River Chamdang Bridge?" and requesting, "Please let me speak to Jang Yoon-ki."In subsequent calls with Jang Yoon-ki, there were confirmations regarding the location of the phone disposal, with statements like, "Is it the Chamdang Bridge?" and "Make sure to listen carefully to what they say."The prosecution plans to investigate whether Jang Yoon-ki's father moved to the Chamdang Bridge after speaking with the investigation team leader to collect and dispose of Jang Yoon-ki's mobile phone. It has been reported that during a witness interrogation in May, Jang Yoon-ki's father stated, "I did not go to the Chamdang Bridge at that time."The mobile phone actually used by Jang Yoon-ki is considered a key piece of evidence to prove the sexual crime, but its whereabouts remain unknown. The phone seized by police at the time of arrest was an old device, and no usable mobile phone was found during underwater searches in the Yeongsan River.Additionally, it has come to light that Jang Yoon-ki's uncle is also a former police official, further intensifying the controversy surrounding the police organization.As this information has emerged, debates surrounding the prosecution's supplementary investigation rights and the complete removal of prosecution investigation rights (known as "geonsuwanbak") have reignited online.One netizen argued, "With the potential abolition of supplementary investigation rights following the complete removal of prosecution rights, it is clear that without the prosecution, such facts would not have been uncovered."Another user commented, "Our country still needs the prosecution," and questioned, "Who will check the police?" They also noted past controversies involving the Gwangju Gwangsan Police Station, stating, "Why did we even pursue the complete removal of prosecution rights?"Particularly in progressive online communities, criticism of the complete removal of prosecution rights has surged. Users in these communities have expressed views such as, "This case shows how dangerous the idea of completely removing prosecution rights is," and emphasized that "the prosecution and police should have a system of checks on each other," and that "power should be decentralized." They warned that concentrating power in the police ultimately harms ordinary citizens and insisted that "supplementary investigation rights must not be abolished," adding, "This incident illustrates the necessity of the prosecution's oversight function," and criticized the police's capabilities, stating, "The police's level is serious," and urged that "the needs of the people should come before political interests."Earlier, SBS reported that Jang Yoon-ki's father, a current police official in Gwangju, was found to have cut up and disposed of key evidence, including a real doll intended for sexual crime, and incinerated several old mobile phones used by Jang Yoon-ki.The prosecution is conducting supplementary investigations based on video footage captured by police during the search and DNA evidence obtained from the real doll, which led to the charges of rape and murder against Jang Yoon-ki.Jeong Seong-ho, the Minister of Justice, stated, "The supplementary investigation by the prosecution has clarified the sexual crime intent," and mentioned that he would review whether improvements are needed regarding the special provisions on family evidence destruction.Current Article 155, Section 4 of the Criminal Code stipulates that family members or cohabiting relatives who destroy evidence for the sake of their family are not subject to punishment under the family evidence destruction exception, raising concerns that Jang Yoon-ki's father may not face criminal charges.Jang Yoon-ki is scheduled to attend his second trial at the Gwangju District Court on July 13.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-09 08:52:00