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New Book Explores People-Centric ESG Management Many companies emphasize ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) principles, yet for employees on the ground, ESG often feels like a mere slogan or a collection of complex terms buried in lengthy reports. In his new book, People-Centric ESG Management, former LG Electronics Chief Human Resources Officer Kim Young-ki argues that "people are ultimately what drives ESG." The book's central thesis is that even the most impressive sustainability reports are meaningless unless ESG is executed through people and completed through accountability. It explains that hiring, training, evaluation, compensation, safety, labor relations, and supply chain management are interconnected processes rather than isolated tasks. The title, "People-Centric Chain," reflects this idea. Employees, suppliers, and customers are all linked in a chain, and if one link breaks, the entire structure can falter. A single individual's mistake or an organization's irresponsibility can undermine the trust of the entire company. The author emphasizes that HR should serve as a bridge connecting people and organizations, data and accountability, actions and outcomes. He also highlights that the CHRO is responsible for implementing sustainability as a viable system within the organization. The book addresses practical questions that arise in the workplace, such as whether hiring practices are fair, if employees are working in safe conditions, whether labor environments at partner companies are properly managed, and if artificial intelligence (AI) is being used responsibly. It illustrates that ESG is a culture created collectively by the entire organization. Drawing on his experience overseeing HR and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) at LG Electronics and LG Group, the author presents case studies from both domestic and international companies. He provides concrete examples of what has succeeded and what has failed, offering a practical perspective on ESG implementation.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-06 10:56:00 -
North Korea tests cruise missile from new 5,000-ton destroyer SEOUL, July 6 (AJP) - North Korean leader Kim Jong-un supervised weapons tests from a new 5,000-ton destroyer that had been repaired after a failed launch ceremony last year, state media said Sunday, as he pushed to expand the country's naval combat capabilities. The official Korean Central News Agency said the destroyer Kang Kon conducted a test-fire of "strategic cruise missiles" last Friday, along with tests of "major weapon systems such as naval artillery, automatic machine guns and electronic warfare means." KCNA said the tests were intended to assess the combat systems mounted on the warship and to confirm "the ability to apply various kinds of weapon systems on board the destroyer in combat." South Korea's military said the same day it had detected North Korea firing a cruise missile from the warship toward waters off its eastern coast and that South Korean and U.S. authorities were analyzing the launch. Before the tests, Kim received detailed briefings from members of a weapons assessment group on what KCNA described as a "stepwise plan" to examine the performance of the ship's weapons systems. The tests included inspections of the destroyer's "target-detecting and information-processing capability" and its "combined firepower system," the report said. KCNA said Kim praised the progress of the tests, saying the "combat power and creditability" of the destroyer's anti-ship, anti-submarine and anti-aircraft weapons, as well as its "strategic offensive weapon systems," were being verified "in a responsible manner." Kim said the tests gave North Korea confidence in the "development of naval combat system of our own style," according to KCNA. He said the progress created "a great possibility to bring about a change in the readiness posture" of the country's strategic forces. The North Korean leader also called for speeding up efforts to expand the country's military capabilities, saying it was necessary to "further speed up the projects to maintain and steadily expand the reliable war deterrent and capability to fight a war." KCNA quoted Kim as saying North Korea would demonstrate "through more obvious actions" its political will and determination to possess an "absolute power." Kim also ordered officials to complete the Kang Kon's trial process "in a responsible manner" and commission the destroyer into the navy within two months, KCNA said. The Kang Kon drew outside attention last year after it was damaged during a botched launch ceremony at the northern port of Chongjin, an embarrassment that prompted an unusually angry response from Kim. North Korea later said the ship had been repaired and relaunched, though outside analysts questioned how quickly the vessel could be made ready for active service. The destroyer is part of a new class of North Korean warships that Kim has portrayed as central to his effort to modernize the navy. Late last month, North Korea commissioned another 5,000-ton destroyer, the Choe Hyon, in a ceremony state media cast as a milestone in strengthening the navy's ability to defend maritime sovereignty and deter war. KCNA said Kim recalled that a recent plenary meeting of the ruling Workers' Party had adopted a decision to turn each naval fleet base into “a hub of naval command, culture and combat capability” and to expand shipyard capacity at all levels. He also expressed what KCNA called his determination to take "national steps" to build up the navy, which he said plays an important role in defending North Korea's maritime sovereignty and exercising war deterrence. North Korea has increasingly emphasized naval development after years of focusing heavily on ballistic missiles and nuclear weapons. Kim has called for building two 5,000-ton-class warships each year over the next five years and has also outlined plans for larger 10,000-ton destroyers. The North describes some of its cruise missiles as "strategic," a term it often uses for weapons designed to carry nuclear warheads. Experts say deploying such weapons on surface ships could give North Korea more launch options and complicate missile-defense planning by South Korea, the U.S. and Japan. KCNA said senior defense, navy and shipbuilding officials attended Friday's tests, including Jo Chun-ryong, a secretary of the Workers' Party Central Committee; Kim Jong-sik, first deputy department director of the party Central Committee; Pak Jong-chon, an adviser to the Ministry of National Defence; Pak Kwang-sop, commander of the navy; Kim Yong-hwan, president of the Academy of Defence Sciences; and Kim Kwang-il, minister of shipbuilding industry. It also said Kim convened "an important consultative meeting for the development of the warship building industry" but gave no details. 2026-07-06 10:51:03 -
Hanon Systems Releases Next-Generation PFAS-Free Natural Refrigerant Technology White Paper Hanon Systems, a company under the Korea & Company Group specializing in automotive thermal energy management solutions, announced on July 7 that it has published an official white paper detailing its next-generation PFAS-Free natural refrigerant technology. The white paper addresses the environmental limitations of fluorinated gases and presents a concrete roadmap for alternative natural refrigerant technologies. It has been made available globally through the business platform LinkedIn and is attracting interest from academia and the global automotive industry, including the natural refrigerant-focused organization ATMOsphere. The publication of the white paper was initiated to tackle the pressing challenges faced by the automotive industry amid a rapid paradigm shift due to tightening global environmental regulations. Currently used fluorinated refrigerants, such as R1234yf, decompose in the atmosphere into TFA (trifluoroacetic acid), a cumulative toxic substance that contributes to environmental pollution and carbon emissions by being absorbed into soil, plants, and human blood through rain and snow. For the past 20 years, Hanon Systems has developed natural refrigerant solutions using propane (R290) and carbon dioxide (R744). The company has supplied R744-based electric compressors to Volkswagen's dedicated electric vehicle MEB platform, successfully equipping over one million vehicles since 2020. Hanon Systems is now accelerating the commercialization of R290-based refrigerant module technology, which is gaining attention as a key alternative for future eco-friendly refrigerants and next-generation PFAS-Free solutions. Hanon Systems' natural refrigerant technologies have been validated for heating performance through real vehicle tests conducted in extreme cold and heat conditions in Europe, and the company is fully prepared for immediate mass production. The technologies are recognized for meeting the diverse needs of global automotive manufacturers at the forefront of natural refrigerant innovation that exceeds future regulations. Lee Soo-il, Vice Chairman and CEO of Hanon Systems, stated, "The publication of the white paper demonstrates our technical confidence and responsibility in proactively responding to the global regulatory environment. The most reliable solution to the PFAS regulations and environmental pollution issues facing the industry is the natural refrigerant technology we possess, and we will continue to lead the way in building a sustainable future for the automotive industry in collaboration with global automakers." Detailed information about the newly published next-generation eco-friendly refrigerant technology white paper and Hanon Systems' natural refrigerant portfolio can be accessed and downloaded by anyone through the 'Eco-Friendly Refrigerant Technology' section on Hanon Systems' official website. Meanwhile, Korea & Company Group is responding to the rapidly changing business environment, including strengthened global carbon regulations and increasing demands for carbon reduction across supply chains, based on Chairman Cho Hyun-bum's ESG philosophy. The group is actively pursuing initiatives such as establishing a carbon neutrality roadmap, enhancing energy efficiency, expanding renewable energy, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions to strengthen its sustainable management.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-06 10:48:00 -
Hanon Systems Releases Next-Generation PFAS-Free Natural Refrigerant Technology White Paper Hanon Systems, a company under the Korea & Company Group specializing in automotive thermal energy management solutions, announced on July 7 that it has published an official white paper detailing its next-generation PFAS-free natural refrigerant technology. The white paper addresses the environmental limitations of fluorinated gases and outlines a specific roadmap for alternative natural refrigerant technologies. It has been made publicly available globally through the business platform LinkedIn and has garnered interest from academia and the global automotive industry, including the natural refrigerant-focused organization ATMOsphere. The release of the white paper was planned to address the pressing challenges faced by the automotive industry amid rapidly changing global environmental regulations. Currently, commonly used fluorinated refrigerants like R1234yf decompose in the atmosphere, converting into TFA (trifluoroacetic acid), a persistent toxic substance that contributes to environmental pollution and carbon emissions by being absorbed into soil, plants, and human blood through rain and snow. For the past 20 years, Hanon Systems has developed natural refrigerant solutions utilizing propane (R290) and carbon dioxide (R744). The company has supplied its R744-based electric compressors to Volkswagen's dedicated electric vehicle MEB platform, successfully equipping over one million vehicles since 2020. Hanon Systems is now accelerating the commercialization of R290-based refrigerant module technology, which is gaining attention as a key alternative for future eco-friendly refrigerants and next-generation PFAS-free solutions. Hanon Systems' natural refrigerant technologies have been validated for heating performance through real-world tests conducted in extreme cold and heat conditions in Europe, and the company is fully prepared for immediate mass production. The technologies are recognized for meeting the diverse needs of global automotive manufacturers while exceeding future regulatory requirements. Lee Soo-il, Vice Chairman and CEO of Hanon Systems, stated, "The publication of this white paper demonstrates Hanon Systems' technical confidence and responsibility in proactively responding to the global regulatory environment. The most effective solution to the PFAS regulations and environmental pollution issues facing the industry is the natural refrigerant technology we possess, and we will continue to lead the way in building a sustainable future for the automotive industry in collaboration with global automakers." Detailed information about the newly published next-generation eco-friendly refrigerant technology white paper and Hanon Systems' natural refrigerant portfolio can be accessed and downloaded by anyone through the 'Eco-Friendly Refrigerant Technology' section on Hanon Systems' official website. Meanwhile, Korea & Company Group is responding to the rapidly changing business environment, including strengthened global carbon regulations and increased demands for carbon reduction across supply chains, based on Chairman Cho Hyun-bum's ESG philosophy. The group is actively promoting sustainable management through initiatives such as establishing a carbon neutrality roadmap, enhancing energy efficiency, expanding renewable energy, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-06 10:48:00
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Com2uS Holdings Launches Puzzle Game 'PawPop Match' on KakaoTalk and KakaoPay Com2uS Holdings announced on July 6 that it has soft-launched its mobile puzzle game 'PawPop Match' through KakaoTalk and KakaoPay. The company plans to introduce the game to domestic users ahead of its official global release scheduled for the second half of this year, aiming to build brand recognition. PawPop Match is a match-3 puzzle game available through KakaoTalk's new 'KakaoTalk Game Play' service and KakaoPay's 'Mini Games,' both of which allow for quick play without downloads. The game has been optimized for the KakaoTalk and KakaoPay platforms, featuring light content tailored to their characteristics. In addition to puzzle matching, it includes mini-games, event content, and an album collection system, all designed to enhance user engagement. Players can collect new themed images of animal characters each time they complete a stage, contributing to a personalized album. PawPop Match was soft-launched in February in regions with a high preference for puzzle games, such as the United States and Indonesia. Com2uS Holdings plans to officially release the game in the global market in the third quarter. Meanwhile, Kakao introduced a new tab in KakaoTalk on June 19, offering a total of 25 casual games. The game chip platform allows KakaoTalk users to access games without installing additional apps, utilizing HTML5 technology. Kakao aims to provide over 50 games by the end of the year.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-06 10:44:00 -
Com2uS Holdings Launches Puzzle Game 'PawPop Match' on KakaoTalk and KakaoPay Com2uS Holdings announced the pre-release of its mobile puzzle game 'PawPop Match' through KakaoTalk and KakaoPay on July 6. The company plans to introduce the game to domestic users ahead of its official global launch scheduled for the second half of the year to build brand recognition. 'PawPop Match' will be available on KakaoTalk's new service 'KakaoTalk Game Play' and KakaoPay's 'Mini Games,' allowing for quick play without downloads. This match-3 puzzle game has been optimized for the KakaoTalk and KakaoPay platforms, featuring a lighter content structure. In addition to puzzle matching, it integrates mini-games, event content, and an album collection system. Players can collect new themed images of animal characters each time they complete a stage, enhancing engagement as they work to complete their personal album. 'PawPop Match' soft-launched in February in regions with a high preference for puzzle games, such as the United States and Indonesia. Com2uS Holdings aims for a formal global release in the third quarter. Meanwhile, Kakao established a new tab in KakaoTalk on June 19, offering a total of 25 casual games. The game chip platform allows KakaoTalk users to access games without needing to install separate apps, utilizing HTML5 technology. Kakao plans to provide over 50 games by the end of the year.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-06 10:44:00
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Lee Byung-tae Advocates for Honor Over Profit in Controversial Remarks Lee Byung-tae, Vice Chairman of the Presidential Regulatory Reform Committee, posted and then deleted a message titled "The Cost of Upholding Beliefs" on social media on July 6.In the post, he shared a quote from Thomas More, a British lawyer and politician, stating, "If honor (faith) were profitable, everyone would be honorable."Lee recently faced disciplinary action for his comments regarding the 'Starbucks Gaya-ji' cheer, claiming that the May 18 incident has become a taboo subject. Following these remarks, he received a public warning from the Blue House.He explained that More's fictional ideal society, "Utopia," lacks private property and values community and morality (honor). He criticized the real world for pursuing profit at the expense of honor and faith, stating, "In short, More had no understanding of capitalism."Lee noted that when King Henry VIII sought to break from the Catholic Church over his divorce and declared himself the head of the Church of England, Thomas More refused to comply, citing his faith and moral conscience. This ultimately led to More being imprisoned in the Tower of London and executed in 1535 for treason.He added, "Just before his execution, he left a principled last testament, saying, 'I die the King's good servant, but God's first.' Although he did not understand the positive functions of a market economy combined with the rule of law, he chose a life of 'honor (conscience)' over 'profit (life and power),' as he said."Kang Yu-jeong, the Chief Spokesperson for the Blue House, commented on July 4 regarding Lee's social media claims, stating, "As someone in a responsible position within a government-affiliated organization, his conduct was inappropriate. We have issued a stern warning and strongly requested measures to prevent recurrence."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-06 10:44:00 -
Hyundai's Atlas robot steals show at World Cup halftime SEOUL, July 6 (AJP) - Hyundai Motor has showcased its next-generation humanoid robot Atlas, developed by its subsidiary Boston Dynamics, at this year's World Cup, reflecting the automaker's robotics ambitions. The automaker said Atlas successfully took part in a halftime performance during a round-of-16 match at New York New Jersey Stadium on Sunday, delivering the match ball to the referee. Just before the second half kicked off, Atlas delighted the crowd by imitating the signature goal celebrations of strikers Harry Kane of Bundesliga club Bayern Munich, Erling Haaland of English Premier League club Manchester City, Matheus Cunha of Manchester United, and Son Heung-min of Major League Soccer club Los Angeles FC, before precisely maneuvering the ball to the referee. The robot made its first live public appearance at the quadrennial football event, following its debut at this year's Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas in January, where it showcased a range of movements before its physical design was unveiled. Hyundai said the robot performed complex actions reliably even in the unpredictable stadium setting, thanks to technology that translates human movement into robot motion, learns from thousands of simulations, and controls all its joints as a single coordinated system. It added that the robot's movements were developed with practical industrial applications in mind, adding that its World Cup appearance showed how robotics can move beyond technology demonstrations into sports, entertainment and field operations. Atlas' appearance was part of Hyundai's global "Next Starts Now" campaign under its official FIFA sponsorship since 1999. "We wanted to show soccer fans around the world that the future is already here by bringing Atlas to the World Cup stage," said Ji Seong-won, an executive of Hyundai Motor's marketing division. Hyundai is also set to release a documentary film, "Training Ground" on Tuesday in partnership with the BBC, chronicling the preparations and technical challenges behind its robotics campaign. 2026-07-06 10:42:07 -
Intense Debate on Education Funding Set for July 8 as Ministry and Budget Office Clash The Education Ministry and the Budget Office, which have been at an impasse over education funding reforms due to a sharp decline in the school-age population, will face off in a public forum on July 8. The Budget Office argues that funding should be cut in line with decreasing student numbers, while the Education Ministry insists that this is a critical time for a qualitative leap in future education. This debate was prompted by President Lee Jae-myung's directive to transparently disclose inter-agency disagreements to foster public consensus. According to the education sector, the Education Ministry and the Budget Office will hold a joint public forum titled 'Reform of Local Education Funding and Directions for Future Education Financing' on July 8. This forum was organized following President Lee's special instruction to openly address the ongoing conflict between the two agencies and to create a rational public discourse. Currently, local education funding is automatically distributed to 17 regional education offices based on 20.79% of domestic tax revenues and a portion of education taxes. Since its introduction in 1972, this system has played a crucial role in improving public education. However, with the recent decline in birth rates leading to a significant drop in the school-age population, calls for reform have intensified. During the forum, the Education Ministry and regional education offices are expected to emphasize the critical need for stable funding for education. Although the total number of students is decreasing, the demand for substantial financial investment in future education is surging, driven by initiatives such as personalized education for each student, the introduction of AI digital textbooks, and the nationwide expansion of after-school care programs under the 'Ever Spring School' initiative. Education advocates argue that rather than reducing budgets based on mere enrollment numbers, this moment should be seized to alleviate overcrowded classrooms and significantly enhance the quality of public education. Conversely, the Budget Office maintains a firm stance. With student numbers declining sharply, it argues that the funding system, which is mechanically tied to domestic tax revenues, must be corrected to address the structural contradiction of increasing funding in line with economic growth. The Budget Office is pressing for the inclusion of the 'declining school-age population ratio' in the funding calculation to resolve the chronic financial imbalance faced by the central government and higher education institutions, given the substantial funds that regional education offices have accumulated but not utilized. As the two agencies, with their distinct perspectives on 'investment in education' versus 'efficiency in national finances,' prepare for this public debate initiated by President Lee, all eyes in the education sector and the general public are on the outcome of the discussions scheduled for July 8.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-06 10:40:00 -
Democratic Party Elevates Task Force for Major Projects to Special Committee The Democratic Party announced on July 6 that it will elevate the task force (TF) supporting the government's three major projects to a special committee directly under the acting party leader to align with the government's execution pace. Han Byeong-do, the acting representative and floor leader, stated during a Supreme Council meeting at the National Assembly, "We will establish a comprehensive support system that oversees legislation, budget, and regulatory innovation." He added that President Lee Jae-myung is scheduled to hold a joint public-private inspection meeting on the semiconductor sector to review the progress of the three major projects. Han emphasized, "The three major projects are national initiatives of monumental importance, and it is essential for the government and businesses to unite as one team to ensure their success." He also noted that countries around the world are fully mobilizing their resources in the competition for semiconductors and artificial intelligence. Additionally, Han criticized the People Power Party for exploiting regional sentiments as a tool for political conflict, questioning, "Which citizen would accept the idea of pushing corporate investment decisions and national growth strategies into a national investigation and special prosecution?" Meanwhile, after the Supreme Council meeting, spokesperson Kang Jun-hyeon told reporters that since Han has announced the formation of a special committee, follow-up actions will be prepared by the policy committee. However, details regarding the composition of the special committee and the manual for utilizing additional tax revenues for future response funds, as mentioned by Chief of Staff Kang Hoon-sik the previous day, have not yet been released.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-06 10:40:00