AJU PRESS ASIA FIRST NEWS AGENCY

Journalist

&
""
Latest by
  • DIA to Hold First Solo Concert in Eight Years, Season of Green
    DIA to Hold First Solo Concert in Eight Years, 'Season of Green' 싱어송라이터 디아(DIA)가 8년 만에 단독 콘서트를 연다. 디아는 오는 11일 오후 6시 서울 마포구 구름아래소극장에서 단독 콘서트 ‘초록의 계절’을 개최한다. 이번 공연은 약 8년 만에 열리는 단독 공연으로, 200석 규모로 진행된다. 디아는 ‘하루종일 비가 내렸어’, ‘선샤인 러브(Sunshine Love)’, ‘온세상에 눈이 내리면’ 등으로 이름을 알렸다. 최근에는 노을 아래 창가에 누워 라이브를 선보인 영상이 사회관계망서비스(SNS)에서 화제를 모으며 다시 주목받았다. 이번 공연에서도 디아는 무대 위에 누워 노래하는 연출을 선보일 예정이다. 공연은 VCR과 라이브를 연결하는 구성으로 꾸며지며, 어린 시절의 추억과 상실, 성장의 감정을 하나의 흐름으로 풀어낼 계획이다. 공연과 함께 더블 타이틀 싱글 ‘네버랜드(Neverland)’도 발매된다. 싱글에는 동명의 타이틀곡 ‘네버랜드’와 ‘초록의 계절’ 두 곡이 수록된다. ‘네버랜드’는 어린 시절의 추억에서 영감을 받아 만든 곡으로, 신스 사운드와 밴드 사운드를 결합해 현실과 기억의 경계를 표현했다. ‘초록의 계절’은 록 밴드 사운드를 바탕으로 여름의 청량함과 지나간 청춘에 대한 회상을 담은 곡이다. 디아의 정규앨범 수록곡 ‘안녕’은 해외에서 역주행하며 누적 3억 스트리밍을 기록하기도 했다. 디아는 “사람들에게 잠시 쉬어갈 수 있는 음악을 만들고 싶었다”며 “이번 공연이 누군가에게는 잊고 있던 기억을 떠올리는 시간, 또 다른 누군가에게는 오늘을 살아갈 작은 위로가 되었으면 좋겠다”고 전했다.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-07 11:28:00
  • KOSPI Plummets Over 5%, Triggering Sell Sidecar as It Falls Below 7600
    KOSPI Plummets Over 5%, Triggering Sell Sidecar as It Falls Below 7600 The KOSPI index dropped more than 5%, falling below the 7600 mark. A wave of selling by foreign and institutional investors has led to a significant decline in market sentiment, prompting the activation of a sell sidecar for KOSPI 200 futures.As of 11:11 a.m. on July 7, the KOSPI was trading at 7644.66, down 406.67 points (5.05%) from the previous trading day.The index widened its losses early in the session, and at 10:23 a.m., KOSPI 200 futures prices fell more than 5% from the reference price for a minute, triggering the sell sidecar. Consequently, the effectiveness of program sell orders was suspended for five minutes. This marks the 16th activation of a sell sidecar in the securities market this year.In the securities market, foreign and institutional investors sold a net 1.9289 trillion won and 354.9 billion won, respectively, leading the index decline. In contrast, individual investors bought a net 2.2435 trillion won, absorbing the selling pressure.Most of the top market capitalization stocks showed weakness. Samsung Electronics fell 7.08%, SK Hynix dropped 5.89%, SK Square declined 8.63%, Samsung Electro-Mechanics decreased 7.60%, LG Energy Solution fell 7.62%, Hyundai Motor dropped 5.48%, Samsung Life Insurance decreased 6.86%, and Samsung C&T fell 4.45%.At the same time, the KOSDAQ index recorded a decline of 7.61 points (0.90%), reaching 839.46.In the KOSDAQ market, foreign and institutional investors bought a net 120.2 billion won and 125 billion won, respectively. However, individual investors sold a net 240.7 billion won, indicating profit-taking activity.Among the top market capitalization stocks, Alteogen rose 3.78%, Juseong Engineering increased 0.28%, Kolon TissueGene gained 4.08%, HLB rose 4.31%, and ABL Bio increased 5.65%. Conversely, EcoPro BM fell 1.31%, EcoPro dropped 1.52%, Rainbow Robotics decreased 3.02%, Wonik IPS fell 5.94%, and Rino Technology dropped 3.74%.Jin-hyuk Kang, a researcher at Shinhan Investment Corp, stated, "Despite Samsung Electronics' strong performance, a 'sell-on' sentiment emerged, leading to profit-taking in semiconductor stocks. Additionally, the impact of Hanwha Ocean's CPSP order failure has caused weakness in shipbuilding and defense stocks, increasing market volatility." 2026-07-07 11:28:00
  • Investors take profit instead of celebrating Samsung Elec record Q2
    Investors take profit instead of celebrating Samsung Elec record Q2 SEOUL, July 7 (AJP) — South Korea's main bourse sank Tuesday along with chip giants as investors took Samsung Electronics' second-quarter earnings as a cue to take profits rather than celebrate the record performance. As of 11:00 a.m., the benchmark KOSPI had plunged 4.29 percent to 7,697.18. The junior KOSDAQ edged down 0.41 percent to 843.60. Samsung Electronics estimated second-quarter operating profit at 89.4 trillion won, a figure that could approach 10 trillion won excluding one-off bonus payments to employees. The astronomical result nevertheless stoked concerns that the AI-driven boom may be nearing its peak. The market bellwether fell 6.45 percent to 297,500 won in morning trading. No. 2 chipmaker SK hynix also lost nearly 6 percent to 2,209,000 won as investors pulled money from Seoul ahead of its $29 billion American depositary receipt (ADR) listing on the Nasdaq. The stock nevertheless remained a favorite among retail investors. On Monday, the KODEX SK hynix Single Stock Leverage ETF attracted 111.2 billion won in net purchases from individuals, the largest daily inflow among domestic ETFs, as they bet the stock still had room to rise after gaining U.S. market exposure. Defense shares also weighed heavily on the benchmark after Canada selected Germany's Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) over the Hanwha Ocean-led Korean consortium as the preferred bidder for its next-generation submarine program. Hanwha Ocean tumbled 22.57 percent to 89,900 won after the setback, while fellow bidder HD Hyundai Heavy Industries fell 3.95 percent. Most other blue-chip stocks also retreated, with SK Square falling 9.83 percent to 1,348,000 won, Samsung Electro-Mechanics down 8.59 percent to 167,100 won, Samsung Life Insurance losing 8.13 percent to 361,500 won, LG Energy Solution declining 6.77 percent to 330,500 won, Hyundai Motor dropping 6.57 percent to 469,000 won and Samsung C&T slipping 5.78 percent to 423,500 won. Meanwhile, brokerage firms said biotechnology shares could be re-rated as the government prepares to introduce a new classification system for the KOSDAQ market. Hana Securities said the system could help restore confidence among foreign and institutional investors, while premium stock classifications, technology transfer announcements and major medical conferences are expected to improve sentiment from the fourth quarter. The optimism was reflected in Tuesday's trading, with biotechnology shares outperforming the broader market. Alteogen rose 1.81 percent to 337,000 won, HLB gained 2.51 percent to 49,975 won and Abelbio jumped 4.77 percent to 94,500 won, helping support the KOSDAQ despite broader market weakness. Overnight, Wall Street closed higher as easing oil prices and optimism over the U.S. earnings season offset weakness in semiconductor shares. The S&P 500 rose 0.72 percent and the Nasdaq gained 1.12 percent, though the gains did little to lift sentiment in Seoul. Japan's Nikkei 225 fell 1.35 percent, mirroring the retreat in Seoul's chip sector. China's Shanghai Composite slipped 0.45 percent. Hong Kong's Hang Seng, however, bucked the regional trend, rising 0.31 percent. 2026-07-07 11:24:42
  • Osstem Implant Maintains Information Security Certification for Three Years
    Osstem Implant Maintains Information Security Certification for Three Years 오스템임플란트가 정보보호 관리체계(ISMS) 인증을 3년 연속 유지하며 전사적 보안 체계를 안정적으로 정착시켰다. 오스템임플란트는 7일 과학기술정보통신부 산하 한국인터넷진흥원(KISA)으로부터 ISMS 인증 갱신 심사를 통과했다고 밝혔다. 이에 따라 최초 인증 취득 이후 사후 및 갱신 심사를 모두 완료하며 3년간 인증 유지 체계를 이어가게 됐다. ISMS는 기업의 정보보호 관리체계가 국가 기준에 따라 구축·운영되고 있는지를 종합적으로 평가하는 국내 대표 정보보호 인증 제도다. 오스템임플란트는 전사적 정보보호 체계를 기반으로 PC 보안 솔루션 고도화, 보안 정책 강화, 개인정보처리시스템 접속기록 점검, 관리자 페이지 마스킹 적용, 신규 시스템 보안성 검토, 정기 취약점 점검 및 개선 등 다양한 보안 활동을 지속해 왔다. 이 과정에서 일부 업무 불편이 있었음에도 임직원 전반의 보안 규정 준수와 참여를 통해 이번 인증 갱신을 성공적으로 마무리했다는 설명이다. 회사 측은 정보보호 체계가 업무 프로세스와 조직문화 전반에 내재화됐다는 점에서 의미가 크다고 강조했다. 이규업 오스템임플란트 정보보호최고책임자(CISO)는 "앞으로도 선제적 위협 대응 체계를 고도화해 안전한 정보보호 환경을 구축해 나가겠다"고 말했다. 한편 오스템임플란트는 국내 치과의사들로부터 가장 신뢰받고 실제 임상에서 가장 많이 사용하는 임플란트 브랜드로 선정되며 국내 시장 선두 입지를 더욱 공고히 하고 있다. 최근 국내 최대 치과의사 커뮤니티인 덴트포토가 치과의사 회원 2000명을 대상으로 실시한 설문조사에서 브랜드 신뢰도와 사용률 부문 모두 1위를 차지했다. '국내 임플란트 제조사 가운데 가장 신뢰하는 브랜드'를 묻는 질문에서는 전체 응답자의 44.5%(889명)가 오스템임플란트를 선택했다. 15개 브랜드 가운데 가장 높은 응답률로, 2위 브랜드(22.6%)와는 21.9%포인트 차이를 보였다.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-07 11:24:00
  • U.S. Government Uses Anthropics Mitos for Software Vulnerability Assessment
    U.S. Government Uses Anthropic's 'Mitos' for Software Vulnerability Assessment The U.S. government has reportedly been using Anthropic's AI model 'Mitos' to audit government software, despite ongoing conflicts over the use of AI.On July 6, Reuters cited multiple sources stating that the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), part of the Department of Homeland Security, is utilizing Mitos to examine government code repositories.According to sources, CISA is scanning government code repositories with Mitos to identify security vulnerabilities that could be exploited by foreign intelligence agencies or cybercriminals. This task is being handled by CISA's 'Attack Surface Evaluation Team,' which conducts digital security assessments and penetration testing across government agencies.Reuters noted that it could not confirm the extent of the government code examined or the nature and severity of the vulnerabilities found. However, two sources indicated that multiple vulnerabilities have already been identified during the audit.Since early this year, Anthropic has been at odds with U.S. authorities. Based in San Francisco, Anthropic refused to remove safeguards preventing its AI from being used for autonomous weapons or domestic surveillance in February. Subsequently, the Department of Defense designated Anthropic as a company posing a risk to the supply chain.This designation has typically been applied to foreign companies suspected of supporting espionage activities.However, a court halted this action in March. Following this, Anthropic reportedly eased tensions by privately releasing Mitos, an AI model known for its exceptional performance in identifying and exploiting cybersecurity vulnerabilities.Reuters assessed that this case demonstrates the U.S. government's proactive stance on adopting Anthropic's AI tools, despite conflicts with the White House. Earlier, Axios reported that the National Security Agency (NSA) had begun using Mitos as early as April.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-07 11:24:00
  • China Notifies Japan 90 Minutes Before SLBM Launch, Including Japanese EEZ
    China Notifies Japan 90 Minutes Before SLBM Launch, Including Japanese EEZ On July 6, China launched a submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) from a nuclear submarine into the Pacific Ocean. Reports indicate that China notified Japan of the launch plan approximately 90 minutes prior. Among the areas designated by China as potential missile drop zones was part of Japan's exclusive economic zone (EEZ).According to Japanese media, including the Nihon Keizai Shimbun (Nikkei), the Japanese embassy in China received notification of the ballistic missile launch plan from the Chinese Ministry of Defense at 11:30 a.m. on July 6. The Japanese government strongly urged China to reconsider the launch plan to ensure Japan's safety.About 90 minutes later, at 1:01 p.m., the Chinese Navy launched one missile from a strategic nuclear submarine. China identified four potential drop zones in the Pacific, extending from east of the Philippines to east of Papua New Guinea, one of which included part of Japan's EEZ south of Shionomisaki in Wakayama Prefecture.On July 5, a day before the formal notification of the ballistic missile launch, China informed Japan's Coast Guard of a danger zone due to 'space debris.' Although the specific missile launch plan was not disclosed at that time, the inclusion of Japan's EEZ in the danger zone heightened tensions within the Japanese government, according to the Yomiuri Shimbun.It has been confirmed that the missile did not pass over Japanese territory or its EEZ, and the drop point was determined to be outside Japan's EEZ. No damage to Japanese aircraft or vessels has been reported. However, a senior Japanese government official stated, 'If the missile had passed over the Japanese archipelago, it would have been a serious situation.' The Nikkei reported that a senior Japanese government official suggested that if China had launched the missile in a direction closer to Japan, it could have passed over Kyushu.The Asahi Shimbun cited military experts who believe the launched missile is likely the new JL-3 SLBM, which has a range exceeding 10,000 kilometers. The Chinese military did not disclose the type of missile, launch location, specific drop point, or submarine model.Japanese government officials analyzed that the launch was intended to showcase the operational capabilities of China's strategic nuclear submarines. According to the Yomiuri, a Japanese government official remarked, 'They aimed to demonstrate that strategic submarines can carry out actual missions,' while a Self-Defense Forces officer speculated that the launch may have been intended to enhance the proficiency of China's submarine forces.Katsuya Yamamoto, head of the Sasagawa Peace Foundation's Strategy and Deterrence Group, explained in an interview with the Yomiuri that the Chinese military has primarily conducted SLBM launches toward the mainland from near its coast. He suggested that this Pacific launch marks a new phase in which China's strategic submarine forces are beginning to operate nuclear deterrent capabilities in open waters, predicting that similar exercises may be repeated in the future.On July 6, Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kiuchi stated at a press conference, 'China's military activities, which lack transparency, are a serious concern for Japan and the international community.' However, according to the Asahi, a Foreign Ministry official indicated that rather than responding immediately with a hardline stance, it is important to calmly analyze the intentions behind China's notification of the launch plan and related areas.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-07 11:20:00
  • Hotel Shilla Revamps Website and App to Boost Direct Booking Competitiveness
    Hotel Shilla Revamps Website and App to Boost Direct Booking Competitiveness Hotel Shilla has completely revamped its official website and mobile application to enhance direct booking demand through its own channels. The strategy aims to simplify the reservation and payment processes while strengthening exclusive member products and local tourism content to differentiate from online travel agencies (OTAs).On July 7, Hotel Shilla announced the overhaul of the user interface and experience (UI/UX) of its website and app. The customer journey, which previously involved multiple steps from room search to booking, payment, and travel information exploration, has now been streamlined for greater convenience.The booking feature includes a 'price calendar' that allows users to view room rates for their desired dates at a glance, as well as an 'integrated booking bar' that enables reservations with minimal clicks. A new feature has also been added to allow guests to prepay for their room rates, reducing wait times at the front desk on check-in day.A new 'Experiences' section has been introduced, allowing guests to plan their hotel stay alongside local attractions. This section highlights experience programs offered by each hotel, nearby tourist sites, and regional activities, enabling customers to prepare their local itinerary without needing to visit separate travel platforms after booking their rooms.The hotel has also launched exclusive discount packages for Shilla Rewards members on its official website. The integrated paid membership, 'Shilla S,' has been expanded from two to three tiers, with enhanced benefits for each level. The plan is to increase repeat customers by promoting rates and member benefits available only through official channels.The core of this renewal is the establishment of an intuitive user experience and the expansion of 'travel experiences' beyond just accommodation. As the trend of direct-to-consumer (D2C) transactions grows, allowing hotels to reduce distribution fees while offering richer, personalized benefits, Hotel Shilla is strategically enhancing the inherent competitiveness of its own channels.To celebrate the website and app revamp, Hotel Shilla will run a 'Grand Renewal' promotion until August 31. Customers who book rooms through official channels and complete their stays will be entered into a drawing for a total of 22 nights at 22 hotels operated by Hotel Shilla worldwide.Winners will have access to properties including the Shilla Hotel in Seoul, Jeju Shilla Hotel, Shilla Monogram Gangneung, Da Nang, and Xian, as well as domestic Shilla Stay locations and the Yancheng branch in China. There will also be an event offering the new paid membership 'Shilla S Signature' to customers who leave feedback on the website revamp. A special package will be sold that counts double the number of stays toward membership tier assessment.A Hotel Shilla representative stated, “This revamp is a strategic change aimed at enhancing customer convenience while strengthening the competitiveness of our official channels. We plan to continue expanding premium services and personalized experiences based on our official channels in the future.”* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-07 11:20:00
  • Korean Wave fuels export growth even as it loses steam in Southeast Asia
    Korean Wave fuels export growth even as it loses steam in Southeast Asia SEOUL, July 7 (AJP) - The Korean Wave is becoming a major force behind the country's economy, a report released by the Korea Foundation for International Cultural Exchange on Tuesday suggests. The foundation estimated that Korean Wave-related exports climbed 15.9 percent on-year to US$18.98 billion this year. Exports of Korean cultural content including K-pop and TV dramas totaled $10.19 billion this year, while related consumer goods and tourism exports reached $8.79 billion. The figures were up 14.2 percent and 18 percent, respectively, from a year earlier. In particular, K-pop exports soared 84 percent, while tourism exports jumped 37.8 percent, driven by the global success of Netflix's hit animated film "KPop Demon Hunters." Over the past decade, Korean Wave-related exports have grown 2.68-fold, roughly twice the pace of South Korea's overall goods and services exports, which increased 1.36-fold over the same period. But the report also found that while the Korean Wave continues to gain traction globally, it is losing steam in some of its biggest markets such as Malaysia, Thailand and Viet Nam. In Japan, historical frictions between Seoul and Tokyo have done little to affect the Korean Wave, as many Japanese who do not have a favorable view of South Korea still enjoy K-pop and South Korean soaps. "We will continue to study the Korean Wave's economic impact and conduct research in major overseas markets to help shape future policies," said the foundation's president Park Chang-sik. 2026-07-07 11:19:05
  • LG Electronics Q2 profit beats estimates on HVAC growth, tariff gains
    LG Electronics Q2 profit beats estimates on HVAC growth, tariff gains SEOUL, July 07 (AJP) - LG Electronics' second-quarter operating profit came in at an estimated 1.58 trillion won $1 billion), above the market consensus of 1.02 trillion won, according to the company on Tuesday. The preliminary figure compares with operating profit of 1.67 trillion won in the previous quarter, representing a 5.7 percent decrease quarter-on-quarter. Revenue for the April-June period came to 23.83 trillion won, compared with 23.72 trillion won in the previous quarter and above the market consensus of 22.54 trillion won. The stronger-than-expected earnings were supported by solid growth in the company's heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) business, driven by rising demand for AI data-center cooling systems. Higher sales of premium home appliances and air conditioners, continued profitability in the vehicle solutions business, growth in high-margin businesses such as webOS and subscription services, improved cost competitiveness, and one-off gains from U.S. tariff refunds also contributed to earnings. LG Electronics did not disclose business division results in its preliminary earnings guidance. The company will release its full earnings report, including detailed results for each business division, later this month. 2026-07-07 11:16:56
  • Samsung Reports Record Quarterly Earnings Amid Concerns Over Semiconductor Cycle
    Samsung Reports Record Quarterly Earnings Amid Concerns Over Semiconductor Cycle Samsung Electronics has reported its highest quarterly earnings ever, defying concerns about a peak in the semiconductor supercycle. However, analysts warn that the substantial performance bonus provisions could dampen future earnings disclosures.On July 7, Samsung announced its preliminary consolidated revenue for the second quarter of this year at 171 trillion won, with an operating profit of 89.4 trillion won. Both revenue and operating profit figures surpassed the previous record set in the first quarter.This performance contradicts recent predictions from some analysts regarding a peak in the memory chip market. While there were concerns about slowing price increases and potential adjustments in AI investment, Samsung's operating profit increased by over 30 trillion won compared to the previous quarter. Industry experts expect strong demand for AI server investments and high-value memory products to continue at least until next year.However, the market is closely watching the implications of this record operating profit. Some securities firms estimate that Samsung's performance bonus provisions for the second quarter could be around 19 trillion won. If this amount is excluded, Samsung's operating profit before provisions would exceed 100 trillion won. While the core business profitability reached the 100 trillion won mark, the reported figure has been lowered to the 80 trillion won range.The performance bonus provisions are seen as a burden, as they cannot be viewed merely as one-time costs. Samsung has a structure where the special management performance bonuses for the semiconductor division are linked to operating profit. As profits increase during a boom, the compensation pool for employees also grows. While this is positive for labor relations and employee retention, it could act as a discount factor that reduces reported operating profit each year.The recently confirmed first-half target achievement bonuses (TAI) reflect a similar trend. The memory division of the DS sector will receive 100% of their base salary, while the System LSI and foundry divisions are set at 75%. In contrast, the DX sector's MX and video display (VD) divisions will receive 50%, and home appliances (DA) will receive 25%. This indicates that the semiconductor boom is being reflected across the entire compensation system.The concern is that as Samsung is reassessed as a top global profit-making company, its reported operating profit figures may continue to be suppressed. Although 89.4 trillion won is a record performance, analysts suggest that without the performance bonus provisions, the symbolic significance of surpassing 100 trillion won would be stronger. In a competitive landscape with other global giants, repeated large-scale performance bonus provisions during strong earnings could negatively impact stock prices and business sentiment.Meanwhile, forecasts indicate that the memory boom, particularly for HBM and server DRAM, will continue at least until next year. TrendForce predicts that demand for HBM will remain strong due to increased investment in AI infrastructure, and the wafer consumption from HBM production will continue to pressure the supply of general-purpose DRAM. As Samsung's profit scale grows, the impact of performance bonus provisions on reported results is also likely to increase.A business insider stated, "While performance bonuses are necessary as a mechanism to share the fruits of prosperity with employees, if they consistently reduce operating profit by tens of trillions of won each year, the market may view this as a recurring discount factor. For Samsung to be recognized as a top global profit-making company, it needs to refine the predictability of performance bonus costs and the way it explains its results." 2026-07-07 11:16:00