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  • LG Electronics Lifes Good Volunteer Group Supports Youth Education in Myanmar
    LG Electronics' Life's Good Volunteer Group Supports Youth Education in Myanmar LG Electronics has returned to improve the educational environment at a youth facility in Yangon, Myanmar, following its previous support last year. The company is not stopping at just one round of assistance; it is enhancing the building it helped construct last year by adding vocational training and rest areas.On September 9, LG Electronics announced that its 'Life's Good Volunteer Group' is conducting volunteer activities at the Takeda Education Center in Yangon from September 7 to 11. The Takeda Education Center operates programs for low-income youth education and community development.The volunteer group is creating a vocational training workshop and rest areas in the center's new building. They are also participating in painting and mural projects inside and outside the building, as well as work on the external fence. The new building was constructed with the help of the volunteer group last year.This year, over 30 employees with experience in home repairs or backgrounds in mural competitions are contributing their skills. Four outstanding participants from LG Electronics' university outreach program, 'ESG Academy,' are also joining the effort.Last year, the Life's Good Volunteer Group had over 600 employees working in 77 teams, and in the past five years, more than 5,000 employees have participated. The Myanmar initiative continues to connect employee expertise and experience with local needs, rather than being a one-time overseas support effort.The volunteer group is also delivering 400 kits containing essential supplies such as rice and toothpaste to nearby low-income families. Since 2019, LG Electronics has been conducting overseas volunteer activities primarily in emerging Asian countries, involving local employees.Yoon Dae-sik, Executive Vice President of LG Electronics' External Cooperation Division, stated, "We are continuing various social contribution activities both domestically and internationally based on the voluntary participation of our employees. We will grow together with the community and provide support where it is needed."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-09 10:04:10
  • AI Startup Key Personnel Recruitment Now Subject to Merger Reporting
    AI Startup Key Personnel Recruitment Now Subject to Merger Reporting From now on, the organized recruitment of key personnel from artificial intelligence (AI) startups, which involves taking over existing businesses, will also be subject to merger reporting and review. The Fair Trade Commission announced that it has prepared a revised guideline for merger reporting, which will be open for public comment from September 9 to September 30. Personnel acquisition transactions, known as Aqui-hire, involve signing contracts for personnel transfer and technology collaboration instead of typical business transfer agreements, effectively producing similar results. This practice has gained attention as global tech giants have been aggressively recruiting key personnel from AI startups. The Fair Trade Commission clarified that such transactions could fall under the category of 'business transfers' as defined by the Fair Trade Act. The revision allows for the consideration of organized personnel and the technology and knowledge they possess as essential components of a business, particularly in advanced industries. If key personnel are transferred to the acquiring company and can continue the existing business of the transferring company, criteria will be established to interpret this as having acquired a 'substantial part' of the business. The guidelines for determining the acquisition amount in personnel acquisition transactions and the interpretation of compliance actions will also be refined. This is due to the understanding that personnel acquisition transactions can be dispersed across various contracts, such as the release of non-compete agreements and technology collaboration, making it difficult to apply existing business transfer criteria directly. This revision is being pursued based on information exchange with foreign competition authorities, including the European Union, Germany, and the United Kingdom. The Fair Trade Commission plans to review the comments received during the public notice period and finalize the revised guidelines after deliberation and resolution in a plenary session.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-09 10:04:00
  • KT Launches AI-Powered Genie TV Set-Top Box A2
    KT Launches AI-Powered 'Genie TV Set-Top Box A2' KT announced the launch of its AI-powered 'Genie TV Set-Top Box A2' on September 9.The Genie TV Set-Top Box A2 utilizes a large language model (LLM) based AI agent, allowing customers to find desired content through conversation with the AI.While watching content, the AI optimizes the viewing environment. It employs AI Super Resolution (SR) technology to enhance low-resolution content to near 4K UHD quality and provides real-time subtitles for live broadcasts.The device automatically optimizes sound based on content genre. It detects voice bandwidth when watching movies, dramas, or news to ensure clear dialogue delivery.The accuracy of the AI agent's voice recognition has also been improved, reducing instances of misinterpreting everyday commands and ensuring it responds only to actual requests.The standard monthly rental fee for the Genie TV Set-Top Box A2 is 7,700 won (including VAT) based on a three-year contract.To ease customer burden, KT offers a care service that includes set-top box rental for 5,500 won per month under a three-year contract. This is 2,200 won cheaper than the standard rental fee, allowing customers to save a total of 79,200 won over three years.Yoon Jin-hyun, head of KT's Media Technology Division, stated, "The Genie TV Set-Top Box A2 combines essential features and an AI-based convenient viewing experience in a compact design while reducing user costs."Additionally, KT has introduced a pricing plan called 'Genie TV All G,' which allows customers to enjoy a variety of VOD options, including live channels, terrestrial and cable dramas, entertainment shows, and the latest movies without financial strain.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-09 10:00:10
  • Ryu Jun-yeol and Seol Kyung-gu Star in The Rat, Reaching No. 1 in Global Non-English Shows
    Ryu Jun-yeol and Seol Kyung-gu Star in 'The Rat,' Reaching No. 1 in Global Non-English Shows Netflix's original series 'The Rat' has climbed to the top of the global non-English category in its second week of release.As of September 9, the Netflix 'Top 10' website reported that the mystery thriller 'The Rat' recorded 4.4 million viewership hours (calculated by dividing total viewing time by the show's runtime), securing the number one spot in the global top 10 non-English shows. The series has made it to the top 10 lists in 45 countries, including South Korea, Malaysia, Oman, the Philippines, Argentina, Mexico, Hungary, Egypt, and Nigeria, demonstrating its global appeal.'The Rat' is inspired by the folktale 'The Rat That Ate the Nail.' The story follows novelist Moon Jae, who has his name, face, and life stolen by a mysterious entity known as The Rat, along with loan shark No Ja (played by Seol Kyung-gu) who seeks to recover lost money, and detective Soon Yong (played by Lee Gyu-hyung) as they pursue the identity of The Rat (played by Ryu Jun-yeol).To celebrate its global success, Netflix has released 15 previously unseen stills. These images capture the intense narrative as the characters pursue the truth behind The Rat. They include scenes that mark the beginning of the incident that leads to everything being lost, featuring The Rat and Soo Hyun (played by Mu Jin-seong), as well as No Ja and Soon Yong, who embark on their pursuit with their own motives, showcasing the tension of the plot.Additionally, the stills highlight the unsettling atmosphere surrounding Yoo Min (played by Park Yoon-ho) and Min Young (played by Song Soo-yi), as well as the tense confrontation between Seung Kyu (played by Kim Sung-oh) and editor Han Ji-hye (played by Lee El), who worked with Moon Jae, enhancing the immersion in the story.Domestic and international media have praised the series. Local outlets have noted the strong ensemble performances by the cast, while international publications like India Today and ScreenRant have lauded the deliberate sense of unease created by the filming techniques and the suspenseful narrative. Global viewers have responded positively to the fresh setting, engaging plot, and unique music.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-09 10:00:10
  • Gaon Cable Surges 11% After Entering Canadian Power Market
    Gaon Cable Surges 11% After Entering Canadian Power Market Gaon Cable has seen its stock price surge by 11% in early trading following the announcement of its entry into the Canadian power market. This expansion into North America is expected to lead to additional orders as the company broadens its public power infrastructure.As of 9:53 a.m. on September 9, Gaon Cable's shares were trading at 254,000 won, up 26,500 won (11.65%) from the previous trading day, according to the Korea Exchange.The company recently announced that it has supplied medium voltage (MV) cables to a major public power company in Western Canada. This marks Gaon Cable's first export to Canada.Previously, Gaon Cable had focused on expanding its business in North America primarily through private industrial facilities, including AI data centers, semiconductor plants, and power generation facilities. With this supply to Canada, the company has now extended its operations into the public power network sector.Notably, the overseas public power market has high entry barriers, making it crucial to secure stable supply records. This export could lead to further orders in the future. In Canada, modernization and expansion of transmission and distribution networks are underway to meet the rising power demand driven by the growth of AI data centers and advanced manufacturing.Gaon Cable stated, "With our entry into the Canadian market, we plan to further expand our North American power infrastructure business. We will leverage the supply chain between our headquarters and our production facility in North Carolina to continue the growth of our North American operations." The company also projected that its North American revenue will increase from approximately $300 million last year to about $470 million this year, marking an increase of over 50%.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-09 10:00:00
  • Hanwha Life Insurance Service Secures Patent for Auto Insurance Quote Accuracy
    Hanwha Life Insurance Service Secures Patent for Auto Insurance Quote Accuracy Hanwha Life Insurance Service has obtained a patent for technology that automatically detects discrepancies between auto insurance comparison quotes and actual premiums.On September 9, Hanwha Life Insurance Service announced that it has secured a patent for a feature that automatically verifies the accuracy of insurance premiums during the auto insurance comparison process.In the field of insurance sales, agents use comparison systems to simultaneously check auto insurance premiums from various companies and recommend the most favorable products to customers. However, differences in discount criteria and rates among insurers, as well as the timing of when premium calculation information is reflected in the comparison system, have sometimes led to discrepancies between quoted amounts and final premiums.The technology developed by Hanwha Life Insurance Service compares the estimated premiums generated by the comparison system with the final calculated amounts from the insurers' networks in real-time. If the two amounts differ, the system automatically alerts the agent, allowing them to verify the discrepancy before informing the customer.The company expects this will reduce the inconvenience of recalculating quotes or notifying customers of changes in amounts due to premium differences.Currently, Hanwha Life Insurance Service is operating this feature in partnership with Hanwha General Insurance. Plans are in place to gradually expand partnerships with other insurance companies to enhance the accuracy of comparison quotes.Lee Kyung-seop, head of the Personal Sales Division at Hanwha Life Insurance Service, stated, “This technology was developed to improve the accuracy of auto insurance comparison quotes and reduce customer inconvenience. We will continue to enhance related features to provide accurate and transparent insurance information.” 2026-09-09 10:00:00
  • Public Home Shopping faces origin-fraud probe over seafood sales
    Public Home Shopping faces origin-fraud probe over seafood sales SEOUL, September 09 (AJP) - State-run Public Home Shopping is under investigation over suspicions that it sold about 9,935 packages of skate and flatfish labeled as domestic but believed to be foreign-caught, earning roughly 284 million won ($211,923). The Gunsan Coast Guard in North Jeolla Province searched the shopping network's offices on May to examine suspected country-of-origin violations, after notifying the company of the concern in late February and questioning officials in March. The materials were released Tuesday by Rep. Choi Soo-jin of the opposition People Power Party. The seasoned skate aired in September last year and January this year, selling 7,331 packages for 182 million won. The dressed flatfish moved 2,604 packages across broadcasts in February last year and January, bringing in 102 million won. Both products carried domestic-origin labels. Investigators have largely built their case and plan to refer it to prosecutors this month, Choi said. "That Public Home Shopping sells tainted food every year is an act that deceives the public, who trust a public institution and buy its goods," she said, urging a sweeping overhaul of the company's pre-sale screening. Public Home Shopping rejected the account, saying the products' origin has not been determined and that a supplier is suspected of passing off foreign goods as domestic. "The investigation is ongoing, and it has not been confirmed whether the products are foreign or domestic," the company said, adding it is cooperating with authorities as a victim and vets all merchandise before sale. The company, under the Ministry of SMEs and Startups, has issued six product recalls totaling about 2.35 billion won since 2020, covering cases from sesame oil mislabeling to inadequately sterilized broth. AJP Takeaways - Public Home Shopping, the state-run network under South Korea's Ministry of SMEs and Startups, is under Coast Guard investigation over suspicions that skate and flatfish sold as domestic were actually foreign-caught, following a raid on May 27, 2026. - The products in question moved about 9,935 packages for roughly 284 million won ($211,923) across broadcasts between February 2024 and January 2026, with investigators planning to refer the case to prosecutors in September 2026. - Public Home Shopping denies deceiving customers, saying origin has not been confirmed and that a supplier is the suspected party, while lawmaker Choi Soo-jin cites six prior recalls worth 2.35 billion won since 2020 as evidence of repeated screening failures. 2026-09-09 09:57:35
  • Naver Proposes AI Factory in France to Target European AI Market
    Naver Proposes 'AI Factory' in France to Target European AI Market Naver is set to leverage France as a foothold to penetrate the European artificial intelligence (AI) market. The company plans to establish an 'AI Factory' that combines France's stable energy and industrial base with Naver's AI infrastructure and service capabilities, aiming to provide resources for European companies and startups while expanding collaboration into industry-specific AI and content sectors.During a business roundtable held on September 8, Naver CEO Choi Soo-yeon and Naver Cloud CEO Kim Yoo-won met with key representatives from major French media, information technology, and energy companies to discuss cooperation in AI infrastructure, industry-specific AI, and content.At the roundtable, Choi emphasized collaboration between the two countries in three key areas: global AI infrastructure, industry-specific AI with data sovereignty and security, and cultural content.In particular, Choi proposed the establishment of an 'AI Factory' targeting the European market based in France. She highlighted Naver's recent announcement, in partnership with NVIDIA and Brookfield, to build a global AI factory with over 1GW capacity, stating, "We want to create an AI factory that European companies and startups can utilize by combining France's stable energy base with Naver's AI ecosystem experience."In the area of industry-specific AI, Naver plans to expand its domestic experience to Europe. The company has developed the financial-specific AI 'BOKI' in collaboration with the Bank of Korea and established the nuclear power-specific AI 'Hy-NuRI' with Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power, integrating industry-specific data and expertise into practical applications.Choi outlined a collaborative direction to support French companies and institutions in building optimized AI while ensuring data sovereignty and security. This strategy aims to secure 'sovereign AI' capabilities tailored to the needs of local companies and institutions amid the European Union's tightening AI and data regulations.Naver also seeks to expand its collaboration in the content sector with France. Choi participated as a speaker at the Lumière Summit, an international film and video conference held in Saint-Paul-de-Vence, where she introduced the $100 million global content fund 'IP Adaptation Fund' established by Naver and Webtoon Entertainment.Additionally, Naver is pursuing collaboration that combines France's audiovisual cultural heritage with its AI technology. During the presidential visit to France, Naver signed a strategic memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the French National Audiovisual Institute (INA) to utilize AI technology and audiovisual cultural heritage archives.The two parties plan to explore ways to efficiently analyze and organize content by integrating Naver's AI technology with INA's extensive audiovisual archives, enabling users to easily search and utilize the materials they need.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-09 09:56:00
  • South Koreas Per Capita GNI Set to Exceed $40,000 for the First Time
    South Korea's Per Capita GNI Set to Exceed $40,000 for the First Time South Korea's per capita gross national income (GNI) is poised to surpass $40,000 for the first time this year. According to the Bank of Korea, nominal GNI in the first half of the year increased by 21.8% compared to the same period last year. The bank believes that if there are no unexpected shocks in the second half and the exchange rate remains stable, achieving the $40,000 milestone is likely.This is a significant development. After exceeding $30,000 in per capita GNI in 2014, South Korea is set to reach a new income level after 12 years. As of last year, only five countries— the United States, Germany, the United Kingdom, France, and Italy—had populations exceeding 50 million and per capita GNI above $40,000. If South Korea achieves this milestone this year, the number of countries meeting this criterion will increase to six.South Korea's economic model differs from that of small, wealthy nations that rely on resources or finance, where a small population enjoys high incomes. With a population of over 50 million, South Korea has built its manufacturing and export competitiveness in sectors like semiconductors, automobiles, and shipbuilding. It is a commendable achievement for a country that started from the ruins of war to stand shoulder to shoulder with major developed nations.However, the $40,000 figure should not be overestimated. The significant increase in national income this year is largely due to a semiconductor boom, rising export prices, and stable exchange rates. While nominal GDP in the second quarter rose by 26.4% year-on-year, the real GDP growth rate, adjusted for price changes, was only 3.7%. This indicates that the productive capacity of our economy has not grown by more than 20% in a year.Per capita GNI, expressed in dollars, is sensitive to exchange rates. When the value of the won rises, the dollar-equivalent of the same won income increases, and when the won depreciates, it decreases. Japan also surpassed $40,000 in the past but fell back to the $30,000 range due to stagnation and yen depreciation. Similarly, if semiconductor prices drop or the exchange rate spikes, it will be difficult for South Korea to maintain a stable $40,000.Most importantly, per capita GNI is an average value calculated by dividing the total income of businesses, government, and households by the population. Even if companies earn substantial profits from semiconductor exports, if the sales of small businesses and wages for workers do not increase, the public's perception of their economic situation will not change. Considering the burdens of housing, education, healthcare, and loan interest, there can be a significant gap between average income statistics and actual living standards.The roles of the government and businesses are clear. They must channel the income generated from the semiconductor boom into research and development, facility investment, and quality job creation. The achievements of large corporations should lead to increased productivity and wages for their partner companies, and productivity in the lagging service sector must also be improved. It is also crucial to lower costs for housing, education, and childcare to enable better living standards with the same income.Achieving a per capita GNI of $40,000 is a valuable milestone for the South Korean economy. However, it should not be a fleeting number that can be easily lost due to changes in exchange rates and semiconductor prices. The prosperity of export companies must be connected to a virtuous cycle of investment, job creation, wages, and domestic consumption. The challenge now for the government and businesses is to move beyond merely surpassing the $40,000 mark and create a sustainable $40,000 era that the public can truly feel in their lives. 2026-09-09 09:56:00
  • POSCO begins first-ever strike with 48-hour partial walkout
    POSCO begins first-ever strike with 48-hour partial walkout SEOUL, September 9 (AJP) - Unionized workers at POSCO began a partial strike on Wednesday, marking the steelmaker's first strike since its founding in 1968. The 48-hour strike comes despite several rounds of talks between the union and management to narrow differences over wages and other labor conditions. The strike halted all production lines at a pickling plant in Gwangyang, South Jeolla Province, and some lines at a steel sheet plant in Pohang, North Gyengsang Province. These plants produce and process steel used in various industrial applications including high-end electrical steel. The union had earlier threatened to strike unless the steelmaker came up with a revised offer, warning that further action could follow if its demands were not met. It is seeking a 7.1-percent increase in base pay and an incentive payment equivalent to 600 percent of annual salaries, while management has offered a 2-percent increase with a payment of 3.5 million won (US$2,500). The union secured the legal right to strike after mediation by the National Labor Relations Commission, a quasi-judicial agency that resolves labor and management disputes, broke down, while about 92.2 percent of union members backed the walkout. POSCO president Lee Hee-geun met with union members in Pohang earlier this week, but the two sides failed to narrow their differences. The steelmaker said there would be no major disruptions to overall production as it has prepared contingency measures including replacement workers, but prolonged strikes could eventually affect the production of cold-rolled, galvanized and electrical steel sheets. AJP Takeaways - POSCO workers began a 48-hour partial strike on Sept. 9, 2026, marking the steelmaker's first strike since its founding in 1968. - The union is demanding a 7.1-percent base-pay increase and incentives equivalent to 600 percent of annual salaries, while POSCO has offered a 2-percent increase and a 3.5 million won payment. - The strike has halted some production lines in Gwangyang and Pohang, but POSCO expects no major immediate disruption; prolonged industrial action could affect production of cold-rolled, galvanized and electrical steel sheets. 2026-09-09 09:52:31