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Korean Game Companies Showcase Subculture Titles at Tokyo Game Show 2026 Major Korean game companies are set to unveil new subculture titles at the Tokyo Game Show 2026 (TGS 2026), catering to local user preferences. They also plan to introduce games based on popular Japanese intellectual properties (IPs).According to the gaming industry on September 8, the '3N'—Nexon, NC, and Netmarble—along with Smilegate and NHN, will participate in TGS 2026, taking place from September 17 to 21 at Makuhari Messe in Chiba, Japan, to showcase their new subculture games.The decision by these major Korean game companies to present subculture games, aside from their main genres, is driven by an annual growth rate of 15-16% and a solid fan base. This genre tends to thrive even during market downturns.NC, which has set up a dedicated booth at TGS, is responsible for the global publishing of 'Astraea Oratio,' a subculture role-playing game (RPG) developed by Dynamis One. They will debut a demo version, showcasing the game's scenario and combat build.Nexon Games will leverage its experience from 'Blue Archive' to introduce a new title. The RX Studio, part of the IO division that developed 'Blue Archive,' has officially named its project 'Paralydia,' which will also be showcased for the first time at TGS. 'Paralydia' is a game featuring beautiful girls, available on PC, console, and mobile platforms.Netmarble will prominently feature 'Pearl in Blue,' developed by its subsidiary. Since the launch of 'Fate/Grand Order' in 2017, Netmarble has been expanding its subculture game offerings. Recently, they released 'Monster Taming: Star Dive,' a reinterpretation of their own IP 'Monster Taming' tailored to subculture sensibilities.Smilegate will present the subculture collection RPG 'Future City: The Invisible Future.' The event will include game demonstrations and a stage featuring popular Japanese cosplayers Iori Moe and Enako. Additionally, while not classified strictly as subculture, Shift Up's 'Stella Blade Complete Edition' will be released for the Nintendo Switch 2, drawing attention.Numerous games optimized for local audiences using Japanese manga and anime IPs will also be showcased. Netmarble will demonstrate 'Shangri-La Frontier: The Seven Strongest,' based on a popular Japanese IP, and host a talk show featuring the original anime's voice cast. Smilegate will present 'Dead Account: Two Blue Flames,' a team roguelite RPG based on the work of Japanese manga artist Watanabe Shizumu. Netmarble will also unveil 'Solo Leveling: Karma,' an action RPG that has been animated simultaneously in Japan and Korea.NHN will return to TGS for the first time in eight years through its local subsidiary NHN PlayArt. NHN PlayArt plans to showcase seven titles, including three new games, to expand its engagement with Japanese users.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-08 19:12:00 -
Kang Shin-cheol Defends Son's 700 Million Won Property Purchase Amid Allegations Kang Shin-cheol, the nominee for Minister of National Defense, has responded to allegations regarding the purchase of a commercial property worth 700 million won by his son, asserting that the transaction was legitimate and properly financed. He claimed that the omission of this property from his asset declaration was due to a clerical error during the documentation process. However, members of the People Power Party's Defense Committee held a press conference on September 8, raising concerns about potential concealment and the source of the funds, and called for Kang's resignation. The preparation team for Kang's confirmation hearing stated the day before that the purchase of the commercial property in Bundang-gu, Seongnam, was a "normal transaction that complied with all legal procedures and tax standards." They explained that the down payment of 70 million won was sourced from the son's personal savings. They added that the remaining funds, including the balance and acquisition tax, were secured through a loan agreement, and all related taxes were paid appropriately. Regarding the operation of the property, they noted that it is currently leased to two tenants under formal rental agreements, and all tax procedures related to rental income are being followed. Kang's team also denied any allegations of intentional concealment regarding the omission of the property from the asset declaration. They stated that after discovering the omission on September 4, they promptly informed the National Assembly and relevant agencies and submitted additional documentation. The property in question was acquired after the regular asset declaration this year, and the team explained that it was not included in the compilation of the asset list based on existing declarations. They also pointed out that the payment records for local taxes related to the property were initially attached to the confirmation request. However, the People Power Party maintained that these explanations did not resolve the suspicions. Lawmakers, including Im Jong-deuk, held a press conference at the National Assembly's communication center, arguing that the omission of such a significant asset from the declaration could not be dismissed as a simple mistake. They highlighted that more than half of the total declared assets were missing during the verification process. They argued that if the son had obtained a large sum from his maternal grandparents, it would be difficult for the parents to be unaware of it, criticizing the late submission of corrected documents. Im Jong-deuk, the People Power Party's Defense Committee secretary, questioned, "Why do mistakes only seem to occur with real estate?" He called for Kang's resignation and the withdrawal of President Yoon Suk-yeol's nomination, emphasizing that since the nominee is in a position to demand adherence to regulations and principles from soldiers, he must also be held to strict accountability regarding his asset declaration. This controversy arose after Cheon Ha-ram, acting leader of the Reform Party, raised concerns the previous day about the absence of the son's property ownership from the asset disclosure list. Cheon pointed out that the son, born in 1996, purchased the property about a year after being discharged from military service as a commissioned officer. There are conflicting claims regarding the timing of the additional documentation submission. Kang's team asserts that they took immediate follow-up actions after confirming the omission on September 4, while Cheon contends that the revised asset list was submitted only after his press conference on September 7.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-08 19:04:00
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U.S. Demands Over $350 Billion in Investments; South Korea Focuses on Defense The U.S. government is demanding investments exceeding $350 billion, prompting the South Korean government to focus on defense strategies. According to reports from Yonhap News and others on September 8, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy recently provided a confidential update to the National Assembly regarding the progress of follow-up negotiations on Korea-U.S. strategic investments. The key projects under negotiation between the two countries include the construction of the Texas Encinial gas combined cycle power plant, the construction of eight large nuclear power plants, and the development of liquefied natural gas (LNG) in Alaska. Last year, South Korea pledged a total investment of $350 billion in the U.S., which included $150 billion for shipbuilding cooperation and $200 billion for strategic investments, contingent on reducing tariffs from 25% to 15%. Of this, the available funds for strategic investments currently under negotiation amount to $200 billion. The challenge arises as the U.S. has increased project costs, pushing the demands beyond the available limits. The construction of the Encinial gas combined cycle power plant, a leading candidate for the first major investment in the U.S., is currently negotiating around $22 billion. Additionally, the costs associated with the nuclear power projects have emerged as the biggest hurdle in the negotiations. The government is actively considering the construction of eight large nuclear power plants, including two Korean-style reactors, in response to U.S. demands. Each large nuclear power plant has a project cost of approximately $15 billion, meaning that if all eight are built, a total of $120 billion will be invested. The combined total for the Encinial power plant and the nuclear projects alone exceeds $142 billion, accounting for 71% of the available funds. Furthermore, the inclusion of the Alaska LNG development project, a priority for President Donald Trump, makes exceeding the $200 billion limit unavoidable, according to consensus. A representative from the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy stated, "We expect to finalize detailed negotiations before the report to the National Assembly on the 17th, but depending on the outcome of the negotiations, the schedule for signing the MOU on the 18th may be delayed."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-08 18:48:00
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Judge Ji Gwi-yeon’s Case Assigned to New Court Amid Concerns of Fairness The case of Judge Ji Gwi-yeon, who has been indicted by the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission (ACRC) over allegations of receiving illicit entertainment, has been reassigned to a new court.On September 8, the Seoul Central District Court announced that Judge Ji's case, involving violations of the Anti-Corruption Act, has been transferred to Criminal Division 10, presided over by Judge Lee Jae-wook.Previously, the case was assigned to Criminal Division 4, led by Judge Park Kang-kyun. However, concerns about the fairness of the trial arose after it was revealed that Judge Park and Judge Ji are classmates from the 31st Judicial Research and Training Institute.In response to these concerns, Judge Park requested the court to reassign the case, citing potential misunderstandings regarding the trial's impartiality. The court acknowledged the reasons for the reassignment, and the case was transferred within a day. The Seoul Central District Court explained that the reassignment was determined through a random computerized allocation process.Judge Ji previously presided over the first trial of the case against former President Yoon Suk Yeol, who was accused of instigating a state of emergency on December 3. During that trial, Judge Ji made headlines by calculating the detention period of former President Yoon in hours rather than days, leading to his release from custody and drawing sharp criticism from the then-opposition Democratic Party.Following this, the Democratic Party alleged that Judge Ji received entertainment at a room salon in Gangnam and released related photographs. Civic groups subsequently reported Judge Ji to the ACRC for violations of the Anti-Corruption Act.According to the ACRC, Judge Ji is accused of having his drink expenses, amounting to 4.09 million won, covered by two lawyers, acquaintances of his, at a reservation-only bar in Cheongdam-dong, Gangnam, in August 2023. The Anti-Corruption Act stipulates that public officials who receive gifts or entertainment exceeding 1 million won from the same individual in a single instance are subject to punishment, regardless of the relevance to their duties or any expectation of reciprocity.As a result, the ACRC indicted Judge Ji for violations of the Anti-Corruption Act on September 4. However, considering that the individuals present were lawyers, the ACRC also investigated the possibility of reciprocity but decided not to apply bribery charges, as there were no cases assigned to Judge Ji's court by these lawyers at that time.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-08 18:36:00
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Government Offers Lifeline to 43 KOSDAQ Companies Facing Delisting 정부가 일부 흑자기업에 대한 상장폐지 유예 '탈출구'를 열어주기로 한 가운데, 코스닥 상장사 중 43개사가 이 혜택을 볼 것으로 나타났다. 이들 기업은 상장유지 조건 중 시가총액 200억원에 미달되더라도 정리매매 없이 코넥스로 이전상장이 허용된다. 다만 시장에선 코넥스 시장이 유명무실한 상황에서 이전상장 효과가 얼마나 있을지 의문이 제기된다. 8일 금융투자업계에 따르면 정부는 지난 4일 강화된 상폐요건 중 시가총액 미달로 관리종목에 지정된 코스닥 기업 가운데 일정 재무요건을 충족한 기업에 한해 퇴로를 열어준다는 계획을 발표했다. 퇴출 대신 코넥스 이전상장을 허용한다는 방침이다. 흑자기업인데도 주가 부진으로 퇴출 위기에 몰린 기업을 선별하자는 취지다.'상폐 유예' 혜택을 받기 위한 조건은 △최근 3개연도 중 2개연도 영업이익 흑자를 낸 곳이거나 △최근 3개연도 중 1개연도 영업이익이 흑자이면서 자기자본이 200억원 이상인 곳이다. 지난달 26일 기준 시가총액 200억원 미만 코스닥 기업 97곳 가운데 이 조건을 충족하는 상장사는 43곳(44.3%)으로 추산된다.세부적으로 살펴보면 3년 연속 흑자를 낸 기업으로는 패션플랫폼, 디젠스, 윙입푸드, 한탑, 에스앤더블류, 웹스, 우진비앤지, 이노진, 티엔엔터테인먼트, PN풍년, 오아, 케이피티유, 핑거스토리 등이 있다. 2년 연속 흑자를 낸 기업도 상당수다. 헝셩그룹, 삼보산업은 2023~2024년, 뉴보텍과 위세아이텍은 2024~2025년 흑자를 기록했다. 케이지에이, 비스토스, 카티스, 휴맥스홀딩스는 2023~2024년, 에스지헬스케어, 대동금속, 에스에스알, 엔피케이는 각각 2023년과 2025년 영업이익 흑자를 냈다.업계에선 시가총액만으로 상장폐지 대상으로 분류된 기업 가운데 상당수가 영업이익을 내고 있다는 점에서 이번 제도의 의미가 적지 않다는 평가가 나온다. 문제는 이들이 향할 코넥스의 상황이다. 상장폐지 충격을 줄일 수 있는 퇴로는 마련됐지만 정작 코넥스의 거래 기능과 자금조달 기능이 크게 위축돼 있기 때문이다. 한국거래소에 따르면 7월 말 기준 코넥스 상장기업은 109개사, 시가총액은 3조3929억원에 그쳤다. 일평균 거래대금은 12억8000만원 수준이다. 올해 8월 말까지 일평균 거래대금은 약 12억4000만원으로 전년 동기 대비 35.4% 감소했다.거래도 일부 종목에 집중돼 있다. 7월 코넥스 거래대금 1위인 SK시그넷의 월간 거래대금은 155억1000만원으로 전체 시장 거래대금의 절반을 넘었다. 엔솔바이오사이언스, 진코스텍, 파마리서치바이오, 라피치까지 상위 5개 종목의 거래대금을 합치면 224억8000만원으로 전체 월간 거래대금의 약 80%에 달했다. 성장 사다리 기능도 약해지고 있다. 코넥스에서 코스닥으로 이전상장한 기업은 2021년 13곳에서 2022년 6곳, 2023년 7곳, 2024년과 2025년 각각 4곳으로 감소했고 올해는 아직 한 곳도 없다. 결국 정부가 코넥스를 상장폐지 기업의 새로운 퇴로로 제시했지만 출구를 마련하는 것만으로는 제도의 취지를 살리기 어렵다는 지적이다. 증권업계 관계자는 “지금과 같은 코넥스 시장 여건에서는 상장폐지 기업이 굳이 코넥스로 이전하더라도 실질적인 거래와 자금조달을 기대하기 어렵다”며 “코넥스의 유동성과 투자자 저변을 확대할 수 있는 별도의 활성화 대책이 필요하다”고 말했다.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-08 18:20:00
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Weather Forecast: Cloudy Conditions in Central Regions, Temperatures Near Average On Wednesday, September 9, most regions across the country will experience cloudy skies before gradually clearing. According to the Korea Meteorological Administration, the morning low temperatures will range from 16 to 22 degrees Celsius, while the daytime highs are expected to be between 23 and 31 degrees, which is similar to the seasonal average. The agency forecasts that the southern regions will be generally clear, while the central regions and Jeju Island will see clouds until the afternoon, when conditions will improve. However, rain is expected in some areas during the early morning hours, particularly in the inland regions of Gangwon, as well as in Busan, Ulsan, and the southern coast of North Gyeongsang Province. The anticipated rainfall amounts are 5 to 40 mm in the mountainous areas of Gangwon, 5 to 20 mm along the eastern coast of Gangwon, and 5 to 10 mm in the northern coastal areas of North Gyeongsang and northeastern mountainous regions. Morning low temperatures in major cities are forecasted as follows: Seoul 20 degrees, Incheon 20 degrees, Chuncheon 17 degrees, Gangneung 18 degrees, Daejeon 18 degrees, Daegu 19 degrees, Jeonju 19 degrees, Gwangju 19 degrees, Busan 22 degrees, and Jeju 23 degrees. Daytime high temperatures are expected to be: Seoul 27 degrees, Incheon 26 degrees, Chuncheon 25 degrees, Gangneung 23 degrees, Daejeon 26 degrees, Daegu 26 degrees, Jeonju 28 degrees, Gwangju 29 degrees, Busan 27 degrees, and Jeju 27 degrees. The fine dust levels are expected to be at a 'good' level nationwide. Sea waves will be high, reaching 1.5 to 4.0 meters in the East Sea and around Jeju Island. The Korea Meteorological Administration advises that from the evening, rough seas are expected in the eastern and southern waters off Jeju Island, urging vessels engaged in navigation or fishing to exercise caution. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-08 18:20:00
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Market Capitalization Rankings Shift Dramatically in One Year The market capitalization rankings in South Korea have undergone significant changes over the past year. More than half of the traded stocks have fluctuated by over 100 ranks. Among the top 100 companies by market capitalization, 11 new names have emerged, indicating substantial shifts in the valuations of listed firms. The stock that saw the most significant rise in ranking was Gaon Cable.According to the Korea Exchange, a comparison of market capitalization rankings for KOSPI and KOSDAQ listed companies from September 5 of last year to September 7 of this year revealed that out of 2,778 stocks traded at both points in time, 1,554 (55.9%) experienced changes of over 100 ranks.Of these, 699 stocks rose by more than 100 ranks, while 855 stocks fell by the same margin. Additionally, 972 stocks saw fluctuations of over 200 ranks, with 615 moving by more than 300 ranks and 287 changing by over 500 ranks.Notable changes were also observed among the top market capitalization companies. Over the past year, 11 companies in the top 100 rankings have been replaced.Jusung Engineering stood out with a remarkable rise, jumping from 246th place last year to 78th this year, a leap of 168 ranks into the top 100. Gaon Cable moved up from 301st to 89th, gaining 212 ranks.Daewoo Engineering & Construction also saw a significant increase, rising from 218th to 85th, a gain of 133 ranks. HD Hyundai Construction Equipment climbed from 211th to 91st, a rise of 120 ranks. LG Innotek, previously outside the top 100, moved up from 112th to 57th, while GS rose from 110th to 62nd, and Hyundai AutoEver advanced from 104th to 65th. Isu Petasys entered the top 100, moving from 103rd to 81st. Sanil Electric climbed from 130th to 98th, and Hanmi Pharmaceutical rose from 115th to 99th.Conversely, several companies have fallen out of the top 100. Peptron dropped from 73rd to 136th, a decline of 63 ranks, while Pharmarise fell from 81st to 131st. LG Display also slipped from 85th to 115th, exiting the top 100.The significant movements in market capitalization rankings over the past year suggest considerable differentiation in stock prices among companies. The frequent changes in the top 100 rankings reflect this trend.This trend continues in the current market. Kang Jin-hyuk, a senior researcher at Shinhan Investment Corp., noted, "Bottom-up factors have improved market sentiment, leading to strong performances from major semiconductor stocks like Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix. In contrast, non-semiconductor sectors such as finance and automotive have shown weakness, while semiconductor materials, parts, and equipment stocks have performed well amid the AI infrastructure boom in the KOSDAQ."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-08 18:16:20
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Exploring the Lives of Masako Fujino and Yayoi Kusama Masako Fujino, who passed away in 2021, lived with schizophrenia for about 38 of her 63 years. The condition first manifested in her mid-20s while she was pursuing medical studies, and it accompanied her until her death from lung cancer. Yayoi Kusama, who experienced hallucinations from childhood, not only expressed these visions through her art but also amplified them, becoming one of the most successful artists in auctions. Kusama passed away on August 14, 2026, at the age of 97. From a worldly perspective, the lives of these two women are starkly different. Masako lived in seclusion, often confined at home, while Kusama traveled between New York and Japan, transforming her hallucinations into celebrated art. What kind of world did these two women inhabit that led to such contrasting experiences? How should we approach the realities of those who perceive things beyond the ordinary? Director Tomoaki Fujino, who created the documentary film 'What Could Have Been Done,' is Masako's younger brother. The sudden change in his once-kind sister during his teenage years compelled him to leave home. Years later, armed with a camcorder, Tomoaki returned home to document his family over two decades. During this time, Masako's condition worsened, but as her brother, he had no legal authority to intervene. This long record of their lives, marked by helplessness, culminated in the film titled 'What Could Have Been Done.' The film captures not just the life of a woman with schizophrenia but also the story of a family. Masako and Tomoaki grew up in a privileged environment, with a father who was a capable doctor and a mother who supported them. Masako, intelligent and determined, followed her parents into medical school, but her symptoms began to emerge during anatomy classes, marking the start of the family's struggles. The film chronicles the family's history over 40 years until Masako's passing, leading viewers to ponder, 'What could have been done.' Initially, when her symptoms appeared, Masako was taken to a psychiatric hospital by ambulance, but her father brought her home without any medical treatment, resulting in a 25-year gap in care. Questions about why they refused hospital treatment could point to the harsh realities of mental health facilities in the 1980s or the inadequacies of schizophrenia medications at the time. However, it seems that in the world of her parents, the notion of their daughter having a mental illness was an impossible reality. They may have either accepted Masako's unconventional life or believed it was not wrong. Regardless, in their world, Masako remained their intelligent daughter who loved to study. What, then, was Masako's world like? Despite attempts to understand it through her unusual responses and erratic behavior, it remains elusive. Masako's interest in astrology suggests her world might have been connected to the sun, moon, and stars, but this is merely speculation. It exists in an unknown realm, yet it was undeniably real for her. If we cannot understand it, the next step is to acknowledge it. We must also recognize the steadfast world of her parents, who led their family for over 20 years while making incomprehensible decisions. After watching the film, one is left without clear answers about what this family should have done. They simply lived their lives in their respective worlds. Shortly after viewing the film, news of Yayoi Kusama's passing emerged. Although I had not heard of her before, her works were familiar. For someone with little knowledge of art, her name signifies a global artist. Her death was covered by various media outlets, bringing renewed attention to her life. Kusama reportedly experienced hallucinations and mental illness from a young age, and her parents are said to have abused and neglected her, preventing her from receiving proper treatment. After seeing visions of red polka dots, she translated these images into her art, leading to the creation of her iconic yellow polka-dotted 'Pumpkin,' as well as installations like the 'Infinity Mirror Room' and 'Obliteration Room.' A common theme in Kusama's works is the infinite proliferation of dots. She referred to this state as 'self-obliteration,' expressing her inner condition endlessly. Fortunately, people embraced her seemingly bizarre imagery and celebrated her work, allowing Kusama's world to resonate with the public. The difference between the lives of Masako and Kusama may lie not in the nature of their worlds or their attitudes but in whether their worlds could connect with the outside world. If Masako's world had been revealed earlier, her brother Tomoaki stated, 'Ultimately, hiding problems only delays solutions and is the worst approach.' Some worlds emerged late into the public eye, while others were expressed early, capturing attention. This is not a matter of which is better or worse but raises questions about how we should approach the worlds of others. The invisible world of someone else combines their physical environment and relationships with the mental and psychological experiences occurring solely in their mind and heart. We often dismiss the latter, assuming it can be easily controlled and socialized by the individual. This is where misfortune begins. To fully understand another's world, or at least to acknowledge it, we must accept that their mental world undeniably exists. Not denying its existence, even if we cannot comprehend it, is the most useful answer to the question, 'What could have been done.'* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-08 18:12:00
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Seven-Eleven Partners with Nico and to Sell Fashion Items Japan's largest convenience store chain, Seven-Eleven, will begin selling popular fashion brand items, including those from Nico and and Lory's Farm. This move expands its product range, traditionally focused on lunch boxes, beverages, and daily necessities, to include clothing, aiming to attract younger and female customers. As Seven-Eleven seeks to catch up with FamilyMart, which has been leading in clothing sales, competition in the convenience store fashion sector is expected to intensify.According to the Nihon Keizai Shimbun (Nikkei) on September 8, Seven-Eleven Japan announced a partnership with Andsuti HD, the third-largest clothing company in Japan, to collaborate on clothing sales. They will jointly develop exclusive products for Seven-Eleven from popular brands like Nico and and Lory's Farm.Starting on the 25th, Seven-Eleven will launch its first products at approximately 20,000 stores nationwide. The initial offering will include 17 items such as handkerchiefs, socks, and hair ties, with plans to expand the range to include T-shirts, sweatshirts, and scarves as the seasons change. Nico and T-shirts will be priced at 1,989 yen (about $17), while Lory's Farm socks will cost 880 yen.In the fall, Seven-Eleven will also introduce sweatshirts featuring the popular Sanrio character Hello Kitty. Considering the limited space in convenience stores for fitting rooms or dedicated clothing displays, the packaging will be designed to resemble a fashion magazine's styling page, making it easier for customers to envision how the items would look when worn.Seven-Eleven's focus on clothing sales is aimed at attracting its younger customer base, which has been relatively weak. Over 40% of Seven-Eleven's customers are over 50, while those under 20 account for only about 17%. Brands like Nico and and Lory's Farm are particularly popular among customers in their 20s and 30s, especially women.The primary goal for Seven-Eleven is to encourage 'purposeful purchases' where customers specifically visit the store to buy popular clothing. Additionally, they plan to display cosmetics alongside clothing to promote 'impulse purchases' from customers visiting the store. The average daily sales per Seven-Eleven store are about 700,000 yen, which is approximately 100,000 yen higher than competitors Lawson and FamilyMart, although the gap has been narrowing recently.Through this collaboration, Seven-Eleven aims to double its clothing sales compared to 2025. Currently, clothing sales are estimated to account for only a few percent of the average daily sales per store. In previous test sales at select stores, clothing sales more than doubled compared to the previous year, with about 70% of buyers being women. Based on these test sales results, Seven-Eleven plans to develop clothing as a new growth driver for revenue.FamilyMart currently leads in clothing sales, having developed its own brand 'Convenience Wear' with renowned designer Hiroshi Ochiai. They have even opened small specialty clothing stores, with clothing sales projected to reach 20 billion yen in 2025, with a long-term goal of expanding this to 100 billion yen.Instead of developing a new private brand, Seven-Eleven has opted to partner with established brands like Nico and to leverage their design appeal across its nationwide convenience store network, aiming to differentiate itself from FamilyMart.Minoru Fukuda, a senior partner at the U.S. consulting firm A.T. Kearney, noted that Japan's clothing market is valued at approximately 8 trillion yen, indicating significant opportunities for new entrants. He also pointed out that clothing typically has relatively high margins among consumer goods. However, Seven-Eleven will face competition not only from established clothing companies like Fast Retailing, which operates Uniqlo, and Shimamura, but also from online fashion retailers like SHEIN, which are gaining popularity among younger consumers.There are also variables to consider. Andsuti previously launched a joint clothing brand called 'Pound Good' with Ito-Yokado in 2024, targeting family demographics, but failed to meet customer demand, resulting in disappointing sales. Subsequently, Ito-Yokado shifted its management focus to food operations under a U.S.-based fund, leading to a suspension of product supply after about two years. Whether Seven-Eleven can avoid a similar fate and consistently offer products that resonate with its convenience store customer base will be crucial for the expansion of its clothing business.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-08 18:04:20
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Increased ESS Adoption Raises Long-Term Cost Concerns for Power Buyers The expansion of renewable energy and the increasing adoption of energy storage systems (ESS) are expected to accumulate long-term settlement burdens for power buyers, including Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO). As the contract capacity settlement fund paid to ESS operators over 15 years is reflected in the purchase power cost, experts argue that government support and market revenue expansion are necessary to alleviate consumer burdens. ◆ Central Contract Market Selects 1196MW of ESS, Long-Term Settlement Burden Looms On September 8, data submitted by the office of lawmaker Koo Ja-geun from the National Assembly's Industry, Trade, and Energy Committee revealed that a total of 1196 megawatts (MW) of ESS has been selected through the central contract market. In 2023, 68 MW was selected in the Jeju region, followed by an additional 563 MW and 565 MW from the first and second bids in 2025, respectively. The total storage capacity amounts to 7040 megawatt-hours (MWh). The central contract market for ESS operates by selecting operators through competitive bidding conducted by the power exchange. Once selected, operators receive contract capacity settlement funds based on the contract price for 15 years after commencing commercial operations. This system supports ESS operators in recovering their initial large investments, which are difficult to secure stable profits from the existing power market alone. All 68 MW of ESS selected in Jeju in 2023 have begun commercial operations. The Jeju Hallim BESS 10 MW started operating on December 12, 2022, while the Bukchon BESS 35 MW and Namjeju BESS 23 MW commenced operations on January 22 and March 20 of this year, respectively. Consequently, the payment of contract capacity settlement funds for these projects has begun sequentially. ESS stores electricity during periods of low demand or high renewable energy generation and discharges it during peak demand times. As the share of solar and wind energy, which varies with weather conditions, increases, the role of ESS in stabilizing power supply and grid operations becomes more critical. As a result, the volume of ESS adoption is expected to continue rising. The 11th Basic Plan for Power Supply and Demand forecasts a need for a total of 2288 MW of storage systems by 2029, including 2100 MW on the mainland and 188 MW in Jeju. The challenge is that each time a new ESS is added, the settlement funds that power buyers must bear for 15 years also increase. New settlements for additional projects begin before existing ones are completed, leading to a prolonged overlap in cost burdens. The contract capacity settlement fund is shared among power buyers, including KEPCO, in proportion to the amount of electricity purchased. The settlement funds paid by KEPCO are included in the purchase power cost. Concerns are growing that the increased costs associated with the expansion of ESS could raise electricity supply costs, leading to upward pressure on electricity rates in the medium to long term. ◆ Government Support and Market Revenue Expansion Needed to Promote Private Competition Experts suggest that while maintaining the principle of cost burden on power buyers, government support should be implemented alongside market revenue expansion to reduce costs passed on to consumers. Since the benefits of grid stabilization ultimately accrue to end consumers, some cost burden on power buyers and consumers is unavoidable. However, given the high initial costs of ESS, it is necessary for the government to share some of the expenses. Park Jong-bae, a professor at Konkuk University’s Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, stated, "Ultimately, it is correct for power buyers to bear the costs since consumers benefit from ESS. However, since ESS prices are still high, government financial support can help reduce the burden on consumers' electricity bills." There are also discussions about improving the power market system to allow ESS operators to secure revenue beyond long-term contracts. If price differential trading becomes active, where electricity is stored when prices are low and sold when prices are high, ESS operators could secure revenue in the market, thereby reducing costs passed on to consumers. Professor Park noted, "In countries like the United States, ESS operators secure revenue by charging when prices are low and selling when prices are high. This way, as the income of ESS operators increases, not all costs are additionally passed on to consumers' electricity bills." In the long term, there are calls to expand private participation and competition rather than relying solely on the central contract market to encourage cost reduction and technological development. Professor Kang Cheon-gu from Inha University’s Graduate School of Manufacturing Innovation emphasized, "As the expansion of renewable energy continues, the adoption of ESS will inevitably increase. Instead of concentrating costs on power buyers like KEPCO, the market should be broadly opened to the private sector to promote competition and technological development." 2026-09-08 18:04:00