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  • Regulations Without Supply Will Not Work in the Second Half of the Year
    Regulations Without Supply Will Not Work in the Second Half of the Year The real estate market for the second half of the year has opened with the addition of new land transaction permit areas. Starting July 5, the Dongtan district in Hwaseong, where apartment prices have risen over 11% this year, will now be subject to these regulations. The districts of Giheung in Yongin and Guri City are also included. While some view this as a timely measure to curb overheating in the market, others recall that the expansion of land transaction permit areas during the Moon Jae-in administration was seen as a signal of failure in real estate policy. Both perspectives have merit. It is unacceptable to ignore areas where home prices are surging in a short period. Measures such as designating regulated areas or implementing land transaction permits are necessary to prevent gap investments and speculative buying. However, regulations are reactive; they can reduce transactions but do not increase housing supply. The upcoming real estate policies under the Yoon Suk Yeol administration must start from this critical point. Cumulative indicators show that the market is challenging. From January to May of this year, housing completions nationwide fell by 46.7% compared to the previous year, with Seoul experiencing a 41.6% decline. In the rental market, the proportion of monthly rents has approached 70%. What the market feels is not the number of permits or announcements but the availability of homes ready for occupancy. With fewer completions, price pressures in Seoul and the surrounding metropolitan area continue, leaving tenants with limited options. In this context, relying solely on regulations has clear limitations. Potential buyers are pushed into the jeonse market, and a shortage of jeonse leads to increased burdens from monthly rents. When taxes, loans, and transaction regulations tighten simultaneously, listings become scarce, and demand shifts to neighboring areas. This is why regulations without supply cannot last long. Fortunately, Lee Seong-hoon has recently been appointed as the new president of LH (Korea Land and Housing Corporation). LH is the key executing agency for public housing supply aimed at youth, newlyweds, and those without homes. While purchasing rental properties is necessary, relying solely on acquiring already built homes cannot fundamentally resolve the supply shortage. The direct implementation by LH, as requested by President Yoon, must now demonstrate its capabilities. Projects such as the third new town, public land development, urban complex projects, public maintenance, and utilization of idle land must be placed on a concrete schedule. LH must pave the way for housing to flow to those who genuinely need it. The availability of jeonse is decreasing, and the shift to monthly rents is accelerating. If only unstable monthly rents remain in place of jeonse, it is not a market change but a transfer of burden. Alternatives must be prepared to ensure tenants do not suffer while searching for jeonse homes. Guarantees must be provided to prevent fraud, ensure long-term residency, and establish reasonable rental conditions. Non-apartment supply must also be viewed through this lens. Waiting solely for apartments takes too long. Villas, officetels, and urban-type housing can quickly expand residential options within urban areas. However, in a market where trust has eroded following jeonse fraud incidents, simply increasing supply poses risks. No matter how important speed is, the minimum standards for housing must not be compromised. The government has announced plans for tax reform. This will be a critical moment for the clarity of real estate policy. Increasing burdens on high-priced homes and speculative holdings is necessary. However, if the same intensity is applied to actual users and low-priced housing, it could exacerbate market polarization. Property taxes should be carefully strengthened for high-value, multiple, and non-residential holdings, while transaction taxes should be lowered to facilitate movement in the market. Homeowners must be able to sell and relocate to allow for price adjustments. President Yoon has emphasized the protection of actual users. These actual users are not just average households in statistics. They are those unable to find homes due to regulations, waiting in line for jeonse, and cutting back on living expenses due to the burden of monthly rents. A change must be shown so that young people, newlyweds, early-career individuals, those without homes, and vulnerable housing groups no longer suffer due to housing issues. Regulations without supply will not work in the second half of the year. Real estate policy will now be evaluated based on occupancy rather than rhetoric, and on housing costs rather than just principles. 2026-07-06 15:28:00
  • Canada to Announce Preferred Bidder for Next-Generation Submarine Program
    Canada to Announce Preferred Bidder for Next-Generation Submarine Program Mark Carney, the Prime Minister of Canada, is expected to announce the preferred bidder for the country’s next-generation submarine program on July 6, local time, with a budget of up to 60 trillion won. South Korea's Hanwha Ocean and Germany's Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) have been competing for the contract to supply up to 12 submarines, with the announcement anticipated around 5 a.m. Korean time on July 7. According to local media, including CTV News and the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC), Prime Minister Carney will reveal the preferred bidder for the Canadian Navy's next-generation submarine program in Halifax, Nova Scotia, on July 6. However, this announcement will not finalize a contract but will instead identify the preferred bidder, with further negotiations likely before a final agreement is reached, the Globe and Mail reported. The schedule released by the Prime Minister's Office supports this view. Carney is set to depart the Ottawa area at 1:10 p.m. local time and travel to Halifax. He will visit a Canadian military base in Halifax at 4:50 p.m. (5:50 a.m. Korean time) and then announce new measures to enhance Canada’s security, resilience, and prosperity at 5:10 p.m. (6:10 a.m. Korean time). Local media speculate that the new security measures announced by the Prime Minister's Office are likely related to the next-generation submarine program. After the announcement, Carney is scheduled to depart for Ankara, Turkey, to attend a NATO summit. Canada's next submarine program involves up to 12 vessels, with Hanwha Ocean's KSS-III Batch II and TKMS's 212CD competing. The Canadian government has indicated that both candidates meet naval requirements, focusing on economic impact, long-term maintenance, and strategic partnerships as key evaluation criteria. Hanwha Ocean has proposed over 70 billion Canadian dollars (approximately 75 trillion won) in trade and investment in Canada by 2044, contributing 96.3 billion Canadian dollars (about 104 trillion won) to the GDP and creating over 430,000 jobs. TKMS has pledged over 160 billion Canadian dollars (around 172 trillion won) in economic activity, contributing 86 billion Canadian dollars (approximately 93 trillion won) to the GDP and creating over 650,000 jobs. The Globe and Mail noted that if Hanwha Ocean is selected, it would mark the first instance of the Canadian government acquiring a major weapon platform from a non-Western supplier, reflecting Canada’s heightened interest in the Indo-Pacific region. Philip Lagasse, a professor at Carleton University, remarked, "Entering the submarine market in Canada, a key NATO ally, holds significant implications for South Korea." Conversely, if TKMS is chosen, it could strengthen NATO-level Arctic defense cooperation among Germany, Norway, and Canada. CBC highlighted that if Canada selects TKMS, the three countries would operate the same type of submarine, enhancing NATO's strategic advantages. However, the atmosphere remains uncertain regarding the outcome. The South Korean government believes that Hanwha Ocean and TKMS are in a tight race. On July 1, Kang Hoon-sik, chief of staff at the Blue House, responded to a question about South Korea's chances of securing the submarine contract by stating, "If we were to score it, I would say it's about 50-50." In contrast, German officials have expressed confidence. Lars Klingbeil, Germany's Vice Chancellor and Minister of Defense, visited the TKMS facility on July 3 and asserted, "The entire German federal government is conducting a comprehensive campaign to ensure successful defense cooperation with Canada," claiming, "We are in a very favorable position on multiple fronts."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-06 15:24:00
  • Lotte Mart and Supermarket Host Rural Experience Program for Employees Families
    Lotte Mart and Supermarket Host Rural Experience Program for Employees' Families Lotte Mart and Supermarket announced on July 6 that they held a "Rural Experience Program" for employees and their families over two days starting July 4 in Gangwon Province's Yeongwol County. This event is part of Lotte Mart and Supermarket's ongoing ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) initiative called the "Coexistence Seed Project," aimed at promoting the importance of eco-friendly agriculture and sharing the value of coexistence with local rural communities. A total of 46 employees and their family members participated in the program. Participants spent two days experiencing the value of local produce and healthy food. They visited an eco-friendly tomato farm, "Graedo Farm," in Yeongwol County, where they learned about eco-friendly cultivation methods and soil management, and harvested various tomato varieties. They also participated in a cooking class where they made pizzas using the harvested tomatoes. At the rural experience village, "Yosun Village," participants engaged in activities such as potato harvesting, making mugwort rice cakes, and roasting corn over a campfire. They also experienced traditional rafting at the Han River Rafting Village, gaining insights into the local history and culture. Prior to this rural experience, Lotte Mart and Supermarket conducted eco-friendly agriculture capacity-building training for 25 young farmers at the Lotte Human Resources Development Center in Osan in May. They plan to continue supporting market expansion for two outstanding trainees by offering them opportunities to participate in future pop-up events at Lotte Mart stores. Seo Joo-yeon, head of the ESG Organizational Culture Team at Lotte Mart and Supermarket, stated, "We will continue to support the sustainable growth of young farmers and carry out various ESG activities that can spread the value of coexistence with farming communities." Meanwhile, the Coexistence Seed Project expands Lotte Mart's "Sea Love" campaign, which has been promoting marine ecosystem conservation since 2024, into the rural sector.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-06 15:24:00
  • Cabo Verde Emerges as a Dark Horse Destination Following World Cup Success
    Cabo Verde Emerges as a Dark Horse Destination Following World Cup Success Cabo Verde, an African island nation with a population of 580,000, has gained attention as a surprising contender in the 2026 North and Central America World Cup, emerging as a new travel destination for Chinese tourists. Making its debut in the World Cup, Cabo Verde drew with powerhouse teams Spain and Uruguay in the group stage. In the round of 32 on July 4, they put up a fierce fight against defending champions Argentina, pushing the match into extra time. Although they did not secure a victory, the team’s performance propelled "Cabo Verde" to the top of trending topics on Chinese social media shortly after the game. According to the Chinese online media outlet Zhupai News, major travel platforms such as Trip.com, Tongcheng, and QuNiao have reported a surge in searches related to Cabo Verde, with travel agencies quickly launching related packages. As of 8 a.m. on July 4, searches for flights to Praia, the capital of Cabo Verde, increased nearly 30-fold compared to the previous week. Notably, searches for flights departing from Guangzhou in Guangdong Province skyrocketed by 184 times. Trip.com also noted that interest in Cabo Verde has surged by 388% compared to last year and by 852% compared to the previous month. Actual bookings have also risen, with flight reservations up 76% and hotel bookings increasing by 46% year-over-year. Travel packages are being introduced rapidly. Trip.com has launched a group tour package covering major African countries, including Cabo Verde, for 160,400 yuan. A 13-night, 14-day independent travel package covering Spain, Portugal, and Cabo Verde is priced at 71,000 yuan, while some travel agencies offer customized packages solely for Cabo Verde. Cabo Verde is located about 500 kilometers west of Senegal in the Atlantic Ocean. There are no direct flights from mainland China to Praia, requiring two or three layovers, with an average travel time of around 40 hours. One-way economy class tickets can cost approximately 10,000 yuan. Despite these challenges, Chinese media have suggested that this rarity enhances Cabo Verde's appeal. The Beijing Daily noted that about 90% of tourists visiting Cabo Verde are from Western Europe, making it an "untapped travel destination" for Chinese travelers. The low awareness of this West African island among Chinese tourists aligns with the demand for new overseas travel destinations, positioning Cabo Verde as a potential dark horse in the overseas travel market this second half of the year. The World Cup has unexpectedly sparked a tourism boom, which China is actively leveraging to highlight the achievements of bilateral cooperation. Chinese media have emphasized that this year marks the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Cabo Verde, using the World Cup momentum to promote the friendly ties between the two nations. China has supported the construction of key infrastructure in Cabo Verde, including the national assembly building, government offices, national stadium, and Poilão Dam. The national stadium in Praia, completed in 2013 with Chinese assistance, is noted as the only FIFA-certified stadium in West Africa. Cabo Verde President José Maria Neves has expressed gratitude, stating, "Without China's support, we could not have built a stadium of this caliber. We would have incurred enormous costs for overseas training and stadium rentals, making World Cup participation difficult." The Cabo Verdean ambassador to China recently stated in an interview that "soccer has strengthened the friendship between our two nations," expressing hope for friendly matches between the national teams.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-06 15:20:00
  • Police Combine Investigations into Hong Myung-bo Appointment Allegations
    Police Combine Investigations into Hong Myung-bo Appointment Allegations Police investigating allegations surrounding the appointment of Hong Myung-bo as head coach of the national football team have transferred the case to the Financial Crime Investigation Unit of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency for a combined investigation. The police stated they aim to reach a swift conclusion, acknowledging that the investigation had been delayed due to ongoing administrative lawsuits and other factors. Hong Seok-ki, head of the National Investigation Agency, addressed the situation during a regular press briefing on July 6 at the Seoul Police Agency in Seodaemun. He said, "We will take measures to reach a conclusion as quickly as possible." According to police, eight allegations related to Hong's appointment were filed at the Jongno Police Station. An additional case was reported to the Seoul Police Agency on July 2, bringing the total to nine cases now being investigated by the Financial Crime Investigation Unit. The Jongno Police Station transferred the case to the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency on July 1, citing the importance of the matter as the reason for the transfer. The allegations center around claims that Chung Mong-kyu, president of the Korea Football Association, and Lee Im-sang, former technical director, improperly influenced the appointment process. Police have reportedly completed their investigations of Chung and Lee, reviewing case records and legal principles. In response to concerns about delays, Hong explained, "There were related disciplinary actions and lawsuits ongoing. In cases where criminal, civil, and administrative lawsuits are proceeding simultaneously, there are instances where we wait to reference the earlier proceedings. This case also had some of those circumstances, as I have been informed." It is understood that police have referenced the outcomes of administrative lawsuits between the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Football Association. A first-instance ruling in April indicated that the Ministry's disciplinary requests against association officials were justified. However, there have been internal calls within the police for a swift investigation. The Investigation Review Committee of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency had directed the Jongno Police Station to expedite the handling of allegations against Lee Im-sang related to obstruction of business on September 23 of last year. Despite this, no conclusion was reached for about nine months, leading to criticisms of a sluggish investigation. The committee's directives are not legally binding, so compliance is not enforced. Following the transfer to the Seoul Police Agency, the police plan to review existing case records and assess the need for further investigations of Chung and other individuals involved before determining the direction of the case. Hong refrained from commenting on specific allegations or applicable laws concerning the complainants and defendants, stating that such information could influence the investigation.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-06 15:20:00
  • Hanmi Pharmaceutical Recognized as Global Innovation Leader for R&D Efficiency
    Hanmi Pharmaceutical Recognized as Global 'Innovation Leader' for R&D Efficiency Hanmi Pharmaceutical has been recognized as an 'Innovation Leader' in a global academic journal evaluation, demonstrating its research and development (R&D) competitiveness. On July 6, Hanmi Pharmaceutical announced that it was included in the 'Innovation Leader' group in an analysis of emerging pharmaceutical and biotech companies published by the international journal 'Nature Reviews Drug Discovery.' The study analyzed R&D productivity over 15 years, from 2010 to 2025, for 45 pharmaceutical and biotech companies in Asia, Latin America, Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EEMEA). It evaluated companies with revenues exceeding $500 million based on their R&D investment ratios, clinical pipeline compositions, and sales. The researchers classified companies into three categories: Innovation Leaders, Emerging Innovators, and Generic Companies. Hanmi Pharmaceutical earned its place in the top tier due to its focus on innovative drug strategies and high R&D productivity. Hanmi stated, "Despite having a relatively low investment ratio of about 17% of sales compared to other innovation leaders, our high productivity was noted based on the proportion of innovative drug pipelines and global technology export achievements." This highlights the effectiveness of a 'performance-oriented' R&D strategy rather than just investment size. The paper highlighted Hanmi as a representative example of a company that has shifted its focus to innovation in metabolic and rare diseases. The researchers predicted that Asian innovative pharmaceutical companies, particularly from Korea and China, will emerge as strong competitors to U.S. and European firms in the future. Hanmi invests a double-digit percentage of its annual revenue in R&D, focusing on obesity, metabolic diseases, cancer, and rare diseases. The company is enhancing its global competitiveness through its proprietary platform technology and open innovation strategies. Choi In-young, Vice President and Head of Future Growth at Hanmi Pharmaceutical, remarked, "This evaluation is significant as it recognizes our strategy and achievements centered on innovative drugs in terms of R&D productivity, not just investment size. We will continue to strengthen our global competitiveness through differentiated drug development." In addition, Hanmi Pharmaceutical has completed the acquisition of Canadian biotech company Aptose Biosciences, securing a North American R&D base. The total investment for the acquisition, including a previous loan of 56.8 billion won to Aptose, amounts to 70 billion won. With this acquisition finalized, Hanmi will directly lead the global development of its internally developed drug, Tuspetyinib.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-06 15:20:00
  • LG Electronics seen posting solid Q2 on AI cooling, auto parts
    LG Electronics seen posting solid Q2 on AI cooling, auto parts SEOUL, July 06 (AJP) - LG Electronics Inc. is set to deliver another strong quarter Tuesday as the Korean premium home appliance maker finds a robust position in the AI era through cooling systems essential for AI data centers and a resilient auto-parts business, making its earnings less dependent on consumer whims. According to FnGuide consensus, LG Electronics is estimated to have earned 1.02 trillion won ($666 million) in operating profit on revenue of 22.54 trillion won ($14.73 billion) in the April-June period, slightly below the first quarter, when it reported 1.67 trillion won in operating profit and 23.72 trillion won in revenue. While quarterly earnings are expected to decline sequentially following seasonally strong first-quarter appliance demand, analysts say the quality of earnings continues to improve as the company becomes less dependent on its traditional consumer electronics businesses. A common theme across brokerages is the rapid expansion of LG Electronics' HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) business, particularly products designed for AI data centers. Lee Joo-hyung, an analyst at Eugene Investment & Securities, said the company's AI data-center chiller business has emerged as one of its most important growth engines, noting that qualification tests with North American hyperscale customers are nearing completion. He added that its broader positioning as an integrated cooling solutions provider could become a meaningful earnings driver over the medium term. Analysts also expect the company's Vehicle Solution (VS) business to remain a stable contributor after several quarters of improving profitability. Park Jun-seo of Mirae Asset Securities said higher-margin in-vehicle infotainment products, ongoing cost reductions and a favorable product mix should continue supporting margins in the automotive components business during the second quarter. He also identified potential U.S. tariff refunds as a key variable that could lift quarterly earnings above market expectations. A similar view was offered by Kim Min-kyung of Hana Securities, who expects LG Electronics' structural earnings recovery to continue despite a challenging macroeconomic environment. Kim cited company-wide cost discipline, marketing efficiency and expanding AI-related businesses—including data-center cooling and robotics—as key factors supporting earnings resilience. Among domestic brokerages, Kyobo Securities presented one of the most optimistic forecasts, projecting operating profit of about 1.5 trillion won, roughly 50 percent above prevailing market consensus. Choi Bo-young attributed the upside to an estimated 300 billion won in tariff refunds, stronger-than-expected profitability at affiliate LG Innotek and continued margin improvements across LG Electronics' core home appliance and vehicle solutions businesses. Despite the improving outlook, analysts noted that uncertainties remain, including global consumer demand for TVs and home appliances, marketing expenses and geopolitical risks that could affect logistics costs and consumer spending. Tuesday's earnings release will provide only preliminary consolidated revenue and operating profit figures. Detailed business division results—including the Home Appliance Solution (HS), Media Entertainment Solution (MS), Vehicle Solution (VS) and Eco Solution (ES) divisions—will be released later this month alongside the company's earnings conference call. 2026-07-06 15:17:49
  • Yulchon Attorney Oh Jeong-han Named Among ALBs Top 30 Litigators in Asia
    Yulchon Attorney Oh Jeong-han Named Among ALB's Top 30 Litigators in Asia Yulchon LLC announced that attorney Oh Jeong-han has been named one of the "Asia Top 30 Litigators 2026" by ALB (Asia Legal Business), a legal publication under Thomson Reuters, on July 6. Each year, ALB selects 30 outstanding litigators active in Asia based on their performance, expertise, and client interviews. Oh began his legal career as a judge at the Uijeongbu District Court in 2004 and joined Yulchon in 2006. He has since gained extensive experience in various litigation areas, including construction disputes, automotive class actions, and startup-related litigation. Notably, he successfully represented GS Engineering & Construction and Samsung C&T in a lawsuit against the Korea National Railway Corporation regarding additional construction costs for the Suseo-Pyeongtaek high-speed railway, winning the case in full. He also achieved complete victories in a damages lawsuit filed by consumers against Hyundai Motor Company for fuel economy exaggeration and secured a non-prosecution decision in a tax law violation case involving Jarvis & Villains, which operates the tax refund service 'Samjeom Sam.' Based on these achievements, Oh has been recognized as a Leading Lawyer in Dispute Resolution by Chambers AP for three consecutive years and has been named a Litigation Star by Benchmark Litigation Asia-Pacific for five consecutive years, affirming his expertise in litigation both domestically and internationally. Oh stated, "This award represents the valuable achievements made through the close collaboration of all members of the Yulchon Litigation Group. I will continue to strive to provide optimal solutions for our clients based on professionalism and teamwork," he remarked on July 6. Previously, attorney Lee Jae-geun (28th Judicial Research and Training Institute) was selected for ALB's "Asia Top 30 Litigators" in both 2024 and 2025, and this year, Oh has taken over that honor. Yulchon noted, "The Litigation Group, led by co-representative Oh Jeong-han, provides optimal legal services for complex disputes through close collaboration among experts in various fields, including financial litigation, management disputes, administrative litigation, family law, and international arbitration."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-06 15:16:00
  • Kim Min-seok Criticizes Jeong Cheong-rae on Party Merger and Prosecutorial Reform
    Kim Min-seok Criticizes Jeong Cheong-rae on Party Merger and Prosecutorial Reform Kim Min-seok, a former Prime Minister and candidate for the Democratic Party leadership, criticized former party leader Jeong Cheong-rae on July 6, stating that discussions on party mergers and prosecutorial reform have lacked sufficient debate and procedures. Kim held a press conference at the National Assembly after an earlier event in Gwangju, officially declaring his candidacy for the party leadership. When asked about his assessment of the past year’s self-serving politics leading to confusion within the party and government, Kim pointed to the merger with the Justice Innovation Party and discussions on prosecutorial reform, as well as candidate nominations during the last local elections, as examples of insufficient debate and deliberation. He noted, "We need to deeply reflect on criticisms that we appear to be acting like the ruling party," and expressed his intention to pursue simultaneous innovations and changes across various areas, including integration, youth engagement, attitudes, culture, and policy. Kim described himself as someone trained to think in terms of the party and organization, asserting that he is well-suited to support President Lee Jae-myung's governance effectively. He emphasized, "The politics of the ruling party should focus on the overarching goal of the President's success in governance. I have approached politics with this mindset and will continue to do so." Additionally, Kim announced that he would address all negative campaigning against him during a Q&A session scheduled for July 12, prior to the candidate registration for the party leadership. He stated, "A Q&A session is planned for this Sunday, and I believe it is essential to clarify negative issues early in the election campaign and engage in fair discussions for the future of the party."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-06 15:12:00
  • AI boom lifts KOSPI in H1 but focus shifts to earnings
    AI boom lifts KOSPI in H1 but focus shifts to earnings SEOUL, July 6 (AJP) - Artificial intelligence (AI) stocks were South Korea's biggest gainers in the first half of this year, as the AI rally spread beyond semiconductors into infrastructure such as power equipment and cables, according to a Korea Exchange analysis released Monday. Investors now watch whether second-quarter earnings will turn those expectations into results. Top gainers on the country's benchmark KOSPI for the first six months of this year included semiconductor giants Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix, as well as electronic component and equipment manufacturers such as Daeduck Electronics, Hanmi Semiconductor, DB HiTek, LG Innotek and Samsung Electro-Mechanics. Power-related companies also ranked highly including Daehan Electric Wire, Gaon Cable, HD Hyundai Energy Solutions, Hyosung Heavy Industries and LS Electric, reflecting expectations that rising AI investment is boosting demand for power infrastructure. With top-performing stocks concentrated in AI-related sectors such as semiconductors, electronic parts and power infrastructure, construction stocks including Daewoo Engineering & Construction and Kumho Engineering Construction also rose on hopes for increased nuclear power and infrastructure spending. Holding companies such as SK, Samsung C&T and OCI Holdings rose on expectations of corporate value-up policies, while financial stocks including Mirae Asset Securities and Samsung Life Insurance also gained amid a strong market rally and higher trading volumes. Many market analysts say the biggest shift this year has been AI's spillover from chips into power equipment and cables. Increased investment in data centers has lifted expectations not only for components such as high-bandwidth memory and multilayer ceramic capacitors, but also for transmission and distribution equipment, transformers and power cables, lifting related stocks. Market focus is now shifting from expectations to earnings, with investors increasingly looking for proof that AI-driven optimism can be backed by actual results. Samsung Electronics is set to report its second-quarter preliminary sales results on Tuesday, with some estimates putting the figure at a whopping 85 trillion won. Shin Eol, an analyst at SangSangIn Securities, said the market is entering a new phase in which investors still believe in AI's growth potential but now want to see it reflected in real earnings, not just rising valuations. "Micron's recent results confirmed the sustainability of the AI cycle, but the market is now paying more attention to whether AI translates into corporate earnings than to AI investment itself," Shin said. "With earnings season arriving, investors should be more selective rather than simply chasing liquidity-driven flows," he added. 2026-07-06 15:09:29