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  • Government to Evaluate Local Carbon Neutrality Achievements and Introduce Climate Insurance
    Government to Evaluate Local Carbon Neutrality Achievements and Introduce Climate Insurance The government plans to incorporate the carbon neutrality achievements of local governments into a joint evaluation and expand financial support for outstanding municipalities. It also intends to introduce 'climate insurance' for outdoor workers and farmers affected by extreme weather such as heatwaves and cold snaps.On July 8, the Ministry of Climate, Energy, and Environment held a meeting with vice mayors of metropolitan local governments at the South Seoul headquarters of Korea Electric Power Corporation, where it unveiled its 'Execution Strategy for Achieving Community Carbon Neutrality.'This strategy outlines a vision of '2050 Carbon Neutrality Led by Regions' and includes three main directions: innovating the regional implementation system, promoting seven major green infrastructure projects, and redesigning the support framework. The aim is to enhance the role of local governments in directly managing greenhouse gas reduction measures in areas such as renewable energy, waste, and transportation, thereby achieving tangible reductions at the local level.Initially, the government plans to reflect the carbon neutrality achievements of local governments in the joint evaluation conducted by the Ministry of the Interior and Safety. It will strengthen rewards by selecting exemplary cases for recognition, cash prizes, and opportunities for overseas study of advanced cases. The government is also considering expanding project funding for local governments with outstanding reduction results.The carbon neutrality promotion system for local governments will also be revised. The government will support guidelines, consulting, and budgets for establishing the second basic plan for carbon neutrality, while enhancing the role of local climate committees in the process of developing and monitoring local government basic plans.The 'Carbon Neutral Local Government Practice Alliance' will be reorganized and revitalized, and the establishment of dedicated carbon neutrality departments directly under local government heads will be pursued. Regional and local environmental agencies will work with carbon neutrality support centers to monitor implementation in their jurisdictions and seek solutions for delayed or unmet tasks.To achieve substantial greenhouse gas reductions at the local level, seven major green infrastructure projects will be prioritized, focusing on energy, waste, transportation, housing and buildings, carbon sinks, climate adaptation, citizen practices, and green jobs.In the energy sector, the government will expand solar and wind income villages and promote the installation of renewable energy facilities on rooftops and balconies of homes and apartments. It will also advance the 'Renewable Energy 100% Use (RE100)' project for off-grid islands to facilitate renewable energy transition.In the waste sector, the government plans to establish waste incineration facilities in preparation for a complete ban on direct landfilling by 2030, modernize aging public sewage treatment plants, and expand livestock manure energy facilities. In the transportation sector, it will promote the introduction of demand-responsive electric buses and taxis in areas lacking public transport and support the purchase of electric vehicles and electric buses, as well as the establishment of charging infrastructure.To facilitate the incorporation of renewable energy facilities and charging infrastructure during building remodeling or new construction, the government will establish legal grounds. It will apply nature-based solutions tailored to regional characteristics, such as urban, coastal, and mountainous areas, and promote the 'One Person, One Tree Planting Movement' to increase carbon sinks.Support for climate-vulnerable groups will also be strengthened. The government plans to introduce climate insurance to protect the income and safety of outdoor workers and farmers in response to the increasing frequency of extreme weather events. It will also support low-income households, such as those receiving basic living assistance, with insulation and window installation and the replacement of high-efficiency heating and cooling systems.Job creation linked to the operation, management, and construction of green infrastructure, including zero-energy buildings, green remodeling, and renewable energy facilities, will also be pursued. Among local reduction projects, cases with significant greenhouse gas reduction effects relative to costs will be selectively identified and listed for local governments to utilize.A system for more detailed disclosure of regional greenhouse gas emissions information will also be established. The National Greenhouse Gas Inventory System (GIRS) will allow anyone to access detailed information on regional emissions and characteristics, and a platform will be created to check emissions statistics for each reduction project.The government plans to establish a legal framework for the 'Local Greenhouse Gas Reduction Impact Budget System,' which reflects greenhouse gas reduction impacts from the budgeting stage of local governments. It will also create a collaboration and advisory system among central and local governments and public enterprises, providing education and individual assessments on greenhouse gas reduction models and emissions calculations.Minister of Climate, Energy, and Environment Kim Sung-hwan stated, 'Local governments play a crucial role in directly implementing greenhouse gas reductions and carbon neutrality in areas closely related to the lives of residents, such as buildings, transportation, and waste. Active and proactive implementation by local governments is essential for achieving the national carbon neutrality goal.'* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-08 13:32:00
  • LH President Lee Seong-hoon Visits Seoripul District, Orders Early Construction Start in 2028
    LH President Lee Seong-hoon Visits Seoripul District, Orders Early Construction Start in 2028 Lee Seong-hoon, the new president of the Korea Land and Housing Corporation (LH), emphasized the need to accelerate housing supply during his first field visit to the Seoripul District in Seocho-gu, Seoul. On July 8, LH announced that Lee inspected the progress of the project and directed that the housing construction schedule be moved up by more than a year, with significant construction set to begin in 2028. The Seoripul District is a key project site aimed at expanding housing supply in the Seoul area. It is expected to provide up to 20,000 housing units, combining the first district designated in February (18,000 units) and the second district designated in June (2,000 units). LH plans to submit the district plan for Seoripul District 1 this month, aiming for approval in the first half of next year and to expedite compensation procedures in the second half to meet the 2028 construction goal. Additionally, to address ongoing resident opposition and preservation concerns, LH will establish a communication committee to continuously coordinate issues related to compensation and relocation. The Seoripul District will serve as a model for the government's new housing policy, which includes expanding public rental housing near transportation hubs and providing specialized housing for newlyweds and families with children. After completing two days of departmental briefings following his inauguration on July 6, Lee immediately began his field visits. He stated, "I chose to visit the Seoripul District as my first site because rapidly supplying housing in high-demand areas is a key task for stabilizing the real estate market. I will dedicate all of LH's resources to ensure that low-income residents, young people, and newlyweds can live stably in the Seoul area." Following his visit to Seoripul District, Lee also inspected the construction site of the Daebang Newlywed Hope Town, conducting special safety checks in preparation for summer heavy rains and heatwaves. In related news, residents of Songdong Village and Sikyu Village, along with the Woomyeon-dong Catholic Church, filed an administrative lawsuit on the same day seeking to cancel the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport's designation of Seoripul District 2. Earlier, on July 1, the emergency response committee from Songdong Village and Sikyu Village submitted a request to the ministry to preserve the church and village. The ministry designated an area of 193,259 square meters in Woomyeon-dong as a public housing district on June 11. 2026-07-08 13:32:00
  • Iran Claims Retaliation Against 85 U.S. Military Facilities in Bahrain and Kuwait
    Iran Claims Retaliation Against 85 U.S. Military Facilities in Bahrain and Kuwait Iran has claimed it retaliated against 85 U.S. military facilities in Bahrain and Kuwait following U.S. airstrikes in southern Iran. The conflict surrounding the Strait of Hormuz is now spreading to U.S. military bases in the Gulf region.According to reports from Al Jazeera and CNN, the U.S. conducted airstrikes earlier in the Hormozgan province and the Mahshahr area in southern Iran. The U.S. stated that the strikes were a response to attacks on commercial vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz.The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) later announced that its naval and aerospace forces carried out a joint missile and drone operation. The IRGC claimed that this operation targeted 85 major U.S. military facilities in Bahrain and Kuwait.Among the facilities identified by the IRGC were the U.S. Navy's Fifth Fleet base in Bahrain and the Ali Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait. However, the actual impact and extent of damage from these strikes have yet to be confirmed.Iran characterized the attacks as an 'initial response' to the U.S. airstrikes, asserting that the U.S. actions violated a ceasefire and an agreement made in Islamabad.Bahrain and Kuwait quickly responded to the situation. The Bahraini Ministry of Interior urged citizens to remain calm and move to safe locations when air raid sirens sounded. The Kuwaiti military stated that it was 'responding to hostile missile and drone attacks,' explaining that the explosions heard across the country were due to its air defense systems intercepting threats.The Strait of Hormuz is a critical passage for oil and liquefied natural gas shipments. As the conflict expands to U.S. military bases in the Gulf region, concerns about instability in Middle Eastern security and disruptions to energy supplies are growing. 2026-07-08 13:28:00
  • UBS Recommends Buying SK Hynix ADRs Ahead of Nasdaq Listing
    UBS Recommends Buying SK Hynix ADRs Ahead of Nasdaq Listing As SK Hynix prepares for its Nasdaq listing, investment bank UBS has advised investors to purchase American Depositary Receipts (ADRs) instead of domestic shares. ADRs are securities that allow foreign companies' stocks to be traded in the U.S. UBS believes that local investors will find it easier to invest in SK Hynix, potentially leading to a premium on the price.On July 7, Bloomberg reported that UBS's sales and trading desk recommended clients buy SK Hynix ADRs while selling Korean stocks. UBS analyzed that the U.S. certificates are more convenient and cost-effective for hedge funds and other foreign investors.Global portfolio managers and U.S. individual investors, who may find it challenging to directly hold Korean stocks, could also see new demand. UBS pointed out that access to Korean stocks through U.S. brokerages remains limited, and the proportion of global individual investors holding SK Hynix shares is low.SK Hynix ADRs are set to begin trading on Nasdaq on July 10, with a structure where 10 ADRs represent one common share.A key factor influencing the price difference is the potential for conversion between domestic shares and U.S. ADRs. According to filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), ADR holders can cancel their ADRs to receive Korean common shares. However, converting common shares back into U.S. ADRs may require approval from Korean authorities.UBS believes that these conversion restrictions could drive up prices. If it is difficult to freely convert domestic shares into U.S. ADRs, the volume traded on Nasdaq may be limited. In such a case, increased investor demand could lead to U.S. ADRs trading at a higher price than domestic shares.A similar case is noted with Taiwan's TSMC. According to Bloomberg, TSMC ADRs listed on the New York Stock Exchange traded at an average of 16% higher than shares listed in Taiwan this month.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-08 13:16:00
  • First Quarter Issuance of Derivative-Linked Securities and Bonds Reaches 19.6 Trillion Won, Up 24% Year-on-Year
    First Quarter Issuance of Derivative-Linked Securities and Bonds Reaches 19.6 Trillion Won, Up 24% Year-on-Year In the first quarter of this year, the issuance of derivative-linked securities and bonds by domestic securities firms approached 20 trillion won, driven by a recovery in investor sentiment. Notably, the demand for principal-protected products, such as ELBs, significantly contributed to the increase in issuance of derivative-linked bonds.According to a report released by the Financial Supervisory Service on July 8, the total issuance of derivative-linked securities and bonds in the first quarter reached 19.6 trillion won, an increase of 3.8 trillion won (24.1%) compared to the same period last year.By product type, the issuance of derivative-linked securities (ELS and DLS) amounted to 6.7 trillion won, up 1 trillion won (17.5%) from a year earlier. Of this, ELS accounted for 5.5 trillion won, while DLS totaled 1.2 trillion won. The issuance of derivative-linked bonds (ELB and DLB) rose to 12.9 trillion won, reflecting a 2.8 trillion won (27.7%) increase year-on-year, driven by heightened demand for ELBs.During the same period, the total redemption amount reached 20.6 trillion won, marking a significant increase of 7.9 trillion won (62.2%) compared to the previous year. The redemptions included 7.1 trillion won from derivative-linked securities and 13.5 trillion won from derivative-linked bonds.As of the end of the first quarter, the outstanding balance of derivative-linked securities and bonds stood at 93.5 trillion won, a decrease of 1.6 trillion won (1.7%) from the end of last year. The outstanding balance comprised 17 trillion won in derivative-linked securities and 76.5 trillion won in derivative-linked bonds.In terms of underlying assets for ELS, index-type assets accounted for the largest share at 3.8 trillion won, followed by individual stocks at 1.5 trillion won and mixed types at 200 billion won. The proportion of products based on the KOSPI 200 index increased from 70.1% in the first quarter of last year to 78.7% this year, influenced by the rise in the domestic stock market.Among individual stock ELS, notable issuances included products based on Tesla (800 billion won), Palantir (700 billion won), Samsung Electronics (400 billion won), and SK Hynix (300 billion won). In contrast, individual stock ELBs totaled 5.1 trillion won, showing a different trend compared to ELS.By product structure, Knock-In and No Knock-In types were similar in issuance, with 3.3 trillion won (49.3%) and 3.4 trillion won (50.7%), respectively. However, within the Knock-In category, low Knock-In products with barriers below 50% accounted for 97% of the total.In terms of underwriting, securities firms led with 3.5 trillion won for derivative-linked securities, followed by banks with 900 billion won and asset management companies with 900 billion won. For derivative-linked bonds, securities firms underwrote 4.9 trillion won, banks 3.5 trillion won, and retirement funds 2.5 trillion won. The share of securities firms in the overall underwriting of derivative-linked securities and bonds increased from 36.1% last year to 42.9% this year, a rise of 6.8 percentage points.The annualized investment return for products that were early redeemed or matured in the first quarter was 6.8% for derivative-linked securities, slightly up from 6.6% in the same period last year. In contrast, the return for derivative-linked bonds fell to 3.5%, down from 4.4% during the same timeframe. The returns by type were 8.3% for ELS, 4.5% for DLS, 3.7% for ELB, and 3.2% for DLB.The Financial Supervisory Service cautioned that derivative-linked securities can incur principal losses, emphasizing that the greater the number of underlying assets or the higher the proposed returns, the greater the risk. They also noted that while derivative-linked bonds are principal-protected products, investors may not recover their principal and interest if the issuing securities firm goes bankrupt, and early redemption could lead to principal losses.The Financial Supervisory Service stated, "We plan to continuously monitor the issuance status and risk factors of derivative-linked securities and bonds, while guiding financial companies to ensure thorough risk disclosures to investors."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-08 13:00:00
  • Nam Joo-hyuk, Noh Yoon-seo, and Jo Seung-woo Star in Netflixs Donggung
    Nam Joo-hyuk, Noh Yoon-seo, and Jo Seung-woo Star in Netflix's 'Donggung' 굿판과 무덤, 저승사자와 귀신까지. 한국적 영적 세계관이 글로벌 콘텐츠 시장의 새로운 흥행 코드로 떠오른 가운데 넷플릭스 '동궁'이 조선 궁궐 오컬트 판타지로 그 흐름에 합류한다. 영화 '파묘' '케이팝 데몬 헌터스'가 한국적 요소, 샤머니즘으로 글로벌 시청자들의 눈과 귀를 사로잡은 가운데 '동궁' 역시 K샤머니즘을 통해 글로벌 흥행을 노린다.8일 오전 서울 영등포구 페어몬트 앰배서더 서울에서는 넷플릭스 새 시리즈 '동궁'의 제작발표회가 열렸다. 이날 행사에는 최정규 감독과 배우 남주혁, 노윤서, 조승우가 참석했다.'동궁'은 귀(鬼)의 세계를 넘나드는 능력을 가진 구천(남주혁 분)과 비밀을 간직한 궁녀 생강(노윤서 분)이 왕(조승우 분)의 부름을 받고 동궁에 깃든 저주를 파헤치면서 벌어지는 이야기를 그린다. 조선 궁궐을 배경으로 사극과 오컬트, 액션, 판타지를 결합한 작품이다.드라마 '악마판사', '붉은 달 푸른 해' 등을 연출한 최정규 감독은 '불가살', '손 the guest' 등에서 독창적인 세계관을 선보인 권소라·서재원 작가와 의기투합했다.최 감독은 "작가님들과 구상 단계부터 이야기를 나눴다. 이야기를 할수록 '재밌겠다'는 생각이 들었다"며 "매력적인 세계관과 인물들이 있어서 연출을 하고 싶었다"고 말했다.배우 캐스팅에 대해서도 각 인물이 가진 분위기와 캐릭터의 결이 맞닿아 있었다고 설명했다. 최 감독은 남주혁에 대해 "구천 같다고 생각했다. 눈빛에서 가끔 언뜻 보이는 외로움이 구천과 닮아 어울린다고 생각했다"고 밝혔다.이어 "노윤서는 현장에서 생강은 동궁의 우아함을 담당한다고 이야기했다. 자연스럽고 솔직한 연기, 스트레이트하고 대담한 지점이 생강과 우리 작품에 좋은 느낌을 줬다"고 말했다. 조승우에 대해서는 "일단 멋있지 않나. 승우 씨와 작업하는 게 꿈이라고 했었다. 왕은 비밀이 많은 인물이다. 궁에 얽힌 비밀을 많이 알고 있고 '비밀'이라는 단어와 개념이 잘 어울리는 사람이라고 생각했다"고 전했다.남주혁은 전역 후 첫 작품으로 '동궁'을 선택했다. 그가 맡은 구천은 현실 세계와 귀의 세계를 오가며 귀신을 베어 죽이는 인물이다. 남주혁은 "대본을 군대에 있을 때 처음 받아봤다. 군대가 상상력을 많이 펼칠 순간이 많은 공간인데, 그곳에서 대본을 읽어보니 도전하고 싶어졌다. 귀의 세계가 어떻게 표현될까 궁금증도 컸고, 궁 안에서 일어나는 미스터리한 일이 물 흐르듯 흘러가는 과정이 정말 재미있었다. 이 한 몸 불사질러서 구천을 잘 만들어볼 수 있겠다고 생각했다"고 밝혔다.군 복무 전 '비질란테'를 촬영하고, 전역 후 '동궁'에 합류한 그는 작품에 대한 책임감도 강조했다. 남주혁은 "책임감이 너무 컸고 그 책임감 하나로 임했다. 20대 때부터 해오던 마음처럼 폐 끼치지 말자고 생각했다. '동궁'이라는 작품 속에 잘 융화될 수 있는 작품을 만들어보자는 마음이었다"고 했다.노윤서는 귀의 소리를 들을 수 있는 궁녀 생강을 연기한다. 넷플릭스 영화 '20세기 소녀', 드라마 '일타 스캔들' 등으로 주목받은 그는 '동궁'을 통해 첫 사극이자 오컬트 판타지에 도전했다.노윤서는 "사극이라는 장르, 판타지라는 장르가 생소하고 새로웠다. 이야기만 봤을 때 실제로 구현되면 어떻게 그려질까 상상력을 자극하는 점이 흥미롭고 기대됐다. 생강의 능동적이고 진취적인 모습이 멋지다고 생각했다. 이 캐릭터를 연기하면 어떤 생강으로 구현될지 궁금했다. 긴 호흡의 드라마도 처음이고 오컬트와 사극도 처음이라 두려운 마음도 있었지만 부딪치고 배워보자는 마음으로 도전했다"고 밝혔다.사극 연기에 대해서는 "솔직히 어려웠다. 발성이나 자세를 꼿꼿하게 유지하는 것, 말과 표정, 발성으로 인물의 감정을 표현하는 것이 익숙하지 않아서 굳기도 했다"며 "시간이 지날수록 자연스러워졌던 것 같다"고 털어놨다.조승우는 구천과 생강을 비밀리에 궁으로 불러들이는 왕을 맡았다. 그는 "처음 역할 이름이 그냥 '왕'이라고 돼 있었다. 대본이 왔는데 '내가 왕을 할 수 있겠구나' 싶었다"고 말했다.그는 "대본을 봤는데 굉장히 다양한 소재가 어우러져 있었다. 장영남 선배님이 맡은 대비와의 관계성, 드라마와 오컬트, 액션, 판타지가 절묘하게 잘 어우러져 있다고 생각했다"며 "무엇보다 제가 늦게 캐스팅됐는데 감독님께 여쭤보니 주혁, 윤서, 장영남 선배님까지 캐스팅이 완료됐다고 하더라. 안 할 이유가 없었다"고 말했다.이어 "요즘 대세 배우들 옆에 묻어가는 것도 괜찮지 않나"라고 농담한 뒤 "감독님과는 '마의', '이상 그 이상' 이후 세 번째 작업이다. 감독님을 항상 그리워하고 있었는데 대본을 주셔서 흔쾌히 작업했다"고 덧붙였다.'동궁'이 글로벌 시청자를 만나는 만큼 한국적 요소를 어떻게 보편적인 재미로 풀어낼지도 중요한 과제였다. 최 감독은 "기대하는 반응은 명확하다. 재미있다고 말해주시면 행복할 것"이라며 "글로벌 반응에 대해서는 많은 분들이 좋아해주면 좋겠다는 생각으로 보편적으로 만들려고 했다"고 말했다.그러면서도 궁궐과 복식, 색감, 미술 등 한국적 정서를 시각적으로 자연스럽게 담아내는 데 공을 들였다고 밝혔다. 최 감독은 "한국적인 정서나 비주얼, 궁이 나오고 복식이나 컬러감이 있다. 미술 소품이나 구조 같은 것은 전통문화에서 많은 것을 차용했기 때문에 즐길 거리가 많다고 생각한다"고 했다.K샤머니즘에 대한 관심이 높아진 상황을 의식한 질문에도 최 감독은 작품의 재미와 배우들의 퍼포먼스를 우선했다. 그는 "작품이 재미있고 배우들의 퍼포먼스가 뛰어나다면 여러분이 좋아해주실 거라는 믿음으로 했다"며 "한국적인 요소는 자연스럽게 녹아들려고 했고, 사극이기 때문에 녹아들 수밖에 없다고 생각했다. 속도감과 리듬감에 주력했다"고 설명했다.이어 "언어가 다르고 상황이 달라도 많은 분들이 즐겼으면 좋겠다는 생각"이라며 "건축물의 아름다움, 복식의 아름다움을 매 순간 어필하고 싶었다. 의상과 미술을 많은 분들이 알아봐 주셨으면 좋겠다"고 덧붙였다.배우들도 '동궁'이 가진 한국적 미감과 장르적 재미를 관전 포인트로 꼽았다. 조승우는 "동궁에 연못이 나오는데, 보기에는 잔잔해 보여도 그 안에는 태풍의 눈이 숨어 있는 것 같은 박진감과 많은 것을 느낄 수 있을 것"이라고 말했다.노윤서는 "스태프들이 정말 고생을 많이 하셨고, 배우들의 호연도 기대해주셨으면 좋겠다. 보는 재미는 말할 것도 없다"고 자신했다.남주혁은 "티저를 보고 너무 무서워서 못 볼 것 같다는 이야기를 들었다. 안 무섭다고도, 너무 무섭다고도 할 수 없지만 저도 볼 수 있는 정도다. 저도 무서운 걸 못 보는데 직접 촬영도 했다. 적당히 재미있게 무섭고, 설득력 있는 무서움이 있다"고 말했다.'동궁'은 '파묘'와 '케이팝 데몬 헌터스' 이후 한국적 영적 세계관에 대한 국내외 관심이 높아진 흐름 속에서 공개된다. 사극의 공간, 오컬트의 긴장감, 판타지 액션을 결합한 '동궁'이 넷플릭스를 통해 K샤머니즘 콘텐츠의 또 다른 확장 사례가 될 수 있을지 주목된다. 오는 17일 넷플릭스에서 공개된다. 2026-07-08 12:48:00
  • Hyungji I&Cs Omni-Fashion Strategy Boosts Online Sales of Carisnote by 182%
    Hyungji I&C's 'Omni-Fashion' Strategy Boosts Online Sales of Carisnote by 182% Hyungji I&C is continuing the growth of its women's clothing brand Carisnote by implementing an 'omni-fashion' strategy that combines online and offline sales.According to Hyungji I&C, Carisnote's online sales in the first half of this year increased by 182% compared to the same period last year. As a result, Carisnote's total sales for the first half of the year also grew by more than 10%.The company noted that Carisnote's online sales growth rate is higher than that of YEZAC, a shirt specialty brand, and BON, a men's clothing brand. This indicates that Carisnote is establishing itself as a core brand for Hyungji I&C.Hyungji I&C attributed the rapid response of female customers to the omni-fashion strategy to the characteristics of their purchasing journey. Female consumers tend to compare products and styling information online before trying them on in-store or purchasing online after experiencing the products in-store.In response, Hyungji I&C is expanding exclusive products aimed at online customers and differentiating its channels. The company is also operating pop-up stores in key department stores to facilitate the transition from offline experiences to online purchases, while enhancing styling services and personalized consultations for VIP customers.To sustain Carisnote's growth, Hyungji I&C plans to further refine its omni-fashion strategy. This includes expanding online-exclusive product lines and strengthening digital content, live commerce, and customer-tailored marketing.A Hyungji I&C representative stated, "We will continue to grow through our omni-fashion strategy, which enhances digital competitiveness, and by expanding into overseas markets."Meanwhile, Hyungji I&C is also set to intensify Carisnote's entry into the Japanese market. Starting next month, orders will be placed through Japanese fashion company FashionNet, with locally tailored production expected to debut in the Japanese market by early November.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-08 12:40:00
  • Carrot Community Surpasses 10 Million Users, Expands Beyond Secondhand Trading
    Carrot Community Surpasses 10 Million Users, Expands Beyond Secondhand Trading The Carrot Community, which facilitates offline interactions among neighbors, has surpassed 10 million monthly active users in the first half of this year. According to data analyzed by Carrot on July 8, the number of community meetings increased by 74% compared to the same period last year, while membership grew by 128%. The creation of meeting schedules rose by 106%, and participation reviews surged by 191%, indicating a significant activation of the entire process from meeting setup to actual gatherings and feedback sharing. In terms of user demographics, 14% are in their 20s, 26% in their 30s, 27% in their 40s, 23% in their 50s, and 8% are aged 60 and above, showing a balanced distribution across all age groups. The growth of Carrot Community has also driven an increase in overall engagement time within the community tab. The total time spent on the community service rose by 103% year-on-year, with interactions among users—including posts, comments, and likes—reaching 83.17 million. This marks a 98% increase compared to the same period last year, averaging more than five interactions per second among neighbors. In addition to offline meetings, new community services have contributed to the growth in the first half of the year. The online interest-based community, Carrot Cafe, saw a 46% increase in both the number of cafes and membership within a month of its nationwide launch in June. The Carrot Apartment service, which provides a space for residents of the same complex to communicate, also expanded its service area to nationwide complexes in February. Last month, Carrot launched a unique meeting project called “Is This Not a Meeting?” which was selected through user voting to operate actual gatherings. A Carrot representative stated, “The data from the first half of this year shows that our diverse community services have established themselves as spaces for connection and communication in users' daily lives.”* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-08 12:40:00
  • Hanwha Aerospace pledges stronger role in NATO defense supply chains
    Hanwha Aerospace pledges stronger role in NATO defense supply chains SEOUL, July 08 (AJP) - Hanwha Aerospace has reaffirmed its commitment to expanding defense industrial cooperation in Europe as NATO allies seek to strengthen their defense production capacity and supply chain resilience, the company said Wednesday. The pledge was made during the NATO Defence Industry Forum in Ankara, held on the sidelines of the NATO Summit. Jacek Cyrek, president and CEO of Hanwha Aerospace Europe, said at a panel session that the company will continue to support Europe’s defense industrial base through long-term partnerships, local production and technology cooperation. “The security environment is evolving at an unprecedented speed,” Cyrek said. “New technologies, emerging threats and shifting geopolitical realities are reshaping the way we think about defense, deterrence and resilience.” He said Hanwha’s vision goes beyond supplying weapons platforms and systems, stressing the need to strengthen sovereign capabilities and industrial cooperation within NATO. Hanwha Aerospace said it is expanding its European industrial network through localization, investment and long-term partnerships. The company said the strategy is already being carried out through localized manufacturing and technology transfer in Poland and Romania, while partnerships are also being expanded across the Nordic region and Western Europe. The company said participants at the forum also highlighted the growing importance of cooperation between NATO allies and Indo-Pacific partners, known as IP4, as security challenges in Europe and the Indo-Pacific become increasingly connected. South Korea also called for a new phase of defense industrial cooperation with NATO. In his keynote address at the forum, President Lee Jae Myung proposed a “Korea-NATO Defence Industry Partnership 2.0,” focused on joint research, co-development, co-production and long-term industrial cooperation. Lee said combining NATO’s operational experience with South Korea’s technology and production capacity would help strengthen security in both Europe and the Indo-Pacific, according to the release. Separately, Hanwha Aerospace co-hosted a networking reception with the Munich Security Conference and the Atlantic Council on the sidelines of the NATO Summit. Hanwha Aerospace said it will continue to pursue its “Built with Europe, for Europe” strategy by expanding local partnerships and contributing to Europe’s long-term defense industrial resilience. 2026-07-08 12:35:43
  • Netflixs The East Palace Unveiled in Seoul
    Netflix's 'The East Palace' Unveiled in Seoul SEOUL, July 08 (AJP) - Actors Nam Joo-hyuk, Roh Yoon-seo, and Jo Seung-woo pose during the press conference for the Netflix series ‘The East Palace’ at Fairmont Ambassador Seoul Hotel in Seoul on July 8, 2026. 2026-07-08 12:30:20