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  • NCT 127 kicks off fifth tour in Seoul
    NCT 127 kicks off fifth tour in Seoul SEOUL, September 18 (AJP) - K-pop boy group NCT 127 will kick off its fifth concert tour with three shows in Seoul beginning Friday, SM Entertainment said. The group will perform at KSPO Dome in Olympic Park from Sept. 18 to 20 under the title "NEO CITY : SEOUL - THE REDLINE." The concerts will feature songs from NCT 127's seventh studio album "BLINGY" alongside tracks spanning the group's 10-year career. The Sept. 19 and 20 shows will also be streamed live through Beyond LIVE and Weverse. The final concert will be shown live at about 1,000 theaters across more than 40 regions, including Japan, the United States, Mexico, Britain, Germany, Thailand and Indonesia. The tour will then travel to nine Asian cities through Jan. 16, including Jakarta, Hong Kong, Singapore, Saitama, Bangkok, Manila, Taipei, Kuala Lumpur and Macau. AJP Takeaways - NCT 127 opens its fifth tour with three Seoul concerts from Sept. 18-20. - The shows will include songs from "BLINGY" and tracks from the group's decade-long career. - The final Seoul show will be screened live at about 1,000 theaters in more than 40 regions. 2026-09-18 10:45:14
  • Dispute Erupts Between Financial Supervisory Service and Mirae Asset Securities Over SpaceX Inspection
    Dispute Erupts Between Financial Supervisory Service and Mirae Asset Securities Over SpaceX Inspection A dispute has arisen between the Financial Supervisory Service (FSS) and the labor union of Mirae Asset Securities regarding an inspection related to SpaceX investments. The union protested that the FSS demanded personal call records of employees during the inspection, while the FSS stated that it was a normal procedure to verify the registration process of individual professional investors.According to the financial investment industry on September 18, the FSS recently conducted an inspection at a Mirae Asset Securities branch, focusing on the registration process of individual professional investors related to SpaceX investments. This inspection is a continuation of a previous investigation into SpaceX.The FSS is particularly examining whether the securities firm encouraged general customers to register as professional investors first. The FSS clarified that securities firms cannot proactively suggest that customers register as professional investors; customers must express their intent to register before the firm can guide them through the necessary procedures.An FSS official stated, "Securities firms should not ask customers if they want to register as professional investors. Customers must first indicate their intent to register, after which the firm can provide the necessary guidance."The FSS has repeatedly sought clarification from Mirae Asset Securities regarding the registration process for professional investors but found it challenging to confirm how customers requested registration. Consequently, the FSS began verifying with the employees responsible for the registration process. During this inquiry, some employees reported that customers had initially contacted them via personal mobile phones or KakaoTalk, prompting the FSS to request documentation to verify this information.The FSS official added, "When we checked with the employees about the registration process, they indicated that customers had reached out first via personal mobile phones or KakaoTalk. Therefore, we asked to see evidence confirming that customers initiated contact, not the personal call records or private information of the employees."The FSS also refuted claims that the inspection had delayed the relocation schedule of the Center One building. An FSS official remarked, "We heard before the inspection that due to fireworks events and traffic issues, the relocation schedule was uncertain."Previously, the Mirae Asset Securities union expressed strong opposition to the FSS's inspection methods, arguing that the FSS's demands for personal call records from employees constituted an excessive invasion of privacy. The union insisted that there must be clear legal grounds, necessity, and proportionality for such requests.They also raised concerns about disruptions to business operations due to the prolonged inspection, stating that employees targeted by the inspection were unable to meet with clients, leading to canceled appointments and normal business interruptions. The union claimed that the FSS inspection had also affected the timeline for relocating to the Center One building in Jung-gu, Seoul.This dispute stems from the SpaceX 'zero share allocation' incident involving Mirae Asset Securities. The firm had conducted a subscription for SpaceX investments targeting individual and corporate professional investors but ultimately failed to secure the available shares for sale, resulting in no stock allocation for investors. It has been reported that there was a significant increase in customers registering as individual professional investors to participate in the SpaceX investment.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-18 10:44:00
  • Financial Authorities Consider Tax Incentives for Long-Term Investments
    Financial Authorities Consider Tax Incentives for Long-Term Investments The financial authorities are considering expanding tax benefits for long-term investments in stocks and other assets to encourage capital market investments. A new KOSDAQ investment fund will also be established within the National Growth Fund, with investments set to begin next month.Lee Ok-yeon, chairman of the Financial Services Commission, stated on the morning of September 18 at a conference marking the 29th anniversary of the Capital Market Research Institute in Seoul's Yeouido Conrad Hotel, "We will strengthen the long-term and stable supply and demand foundation in the stock market."Lee emphasized, "Long-term funds linked to personal asset formation, rather than short-term trading and borrowing, should serve as the backbone of the market. We will refine products and systems to make long-term investment a rational choice through the launch of the National Growth Fund and productive finance ISAs."He also highlighted the need to work with relevant departments to ensure that the financial tax system rewards longer holding periods with greater benefits.The foundation for supply and demand in the KOSDAQ market will also be strengthened. Lee noted, "We will create an environment where long-term funds from institutions, such as pension funds and policy funds, can flow into the KOSDAQ, and a KOSDAQ investment fund will be established within the National Growth Fund, with investments expected to commence in October."A new entity, Korea Strategic Technology Partners, will be established to manage long-term, large-scale investments in future strategic technologies. This organization will provide funding for key source technology areas while expanding secondary market investments in the financial investment sector to support companies' growth before they enter the KOSDAQ.Hwang Seong-yeop, chairman of the Korea Financial Investment Association, remarked, "While funding for startups has become more active, there is still a lack of patient capital to support growth in subsequent stages. There is a need for policy support to foster a long-term investment culture."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-18 10:44:00
  • Alteogens Kitruuda SC Receives Sales Approval in Japan
    Alteogen's Kitruuda SC Receives Sales Approval in Japan Alteogen's subcutaneous (SC) formulation of the immuno-oncology drug Kitruuda has received manufacturing and sales approval in Japan. On September 18, Alteogen announced that its subcutaneous formulation transition platform, Hybrozyme, has been applied to MSD's Kitruuda SC (marketed in Japan as Kiject), which has now been approved in Japan. Kitruuda SC is a combination product containing MSD's immune checkpoint inhibitor Kitruuda (active ingredient pembrolizumab) and Alteogen's recombinant human hyaluronidase alpha. This formulation allows for administration under the skin in 1 to 2 minutes, compared to the previous intravenous (IV) administration that took about 30 minutes. ALT-B4 temporarily breaks down hyaluronic acid under the skin, facilitating the diffusion and absorption of the drug within subcutaneous tissue. This technology enables the transition of large-volume biopharmaceuticals from IV to subcutaneous administration. Since its launch in Japan in 2017, Kitruuda has been prescribed for various cancer indications, and the new SC formulation can be used for the same indications as the existing IV formulation. Alteogen stated, "This approval in Japan is significant as it expands the global commercialization foundation for Kitruuda SC with ALT-B4, following approvals in the U.S., Europe, and Canada." The Japanese approval is based on the results of a Phase 3 clinical trial (MK-3475A-D77) involving patients with advanced or recurrent non-small cell lung cancer. MSD explained that the SC formulation demonstrated non-inferiority compared to the IV formulation, with no new safety issues identified. Earlier in August, Alteogen announced that it would receive a $25 million (approximately 34.5 billion won) milestone payment from MSD related to the sales of Kitruuda SC. This is the first of up to $1 billion (approximately 1.38 trillion won) in sales milestones included in the licensing agreement between the two companies. An Alteogen representative remarked, "With the approval in Japan, a foundation has been established for further expansion of the SC formulation in the global market, and as products utilizing ALT-B4 are commercialized in major markets, the technological prowess and commercial value of the Hybrozyme platform are being continuously validated."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-18 10:40:00
  • Minister Kim Seong-hwan Questions Timetable for Ending Coal Power by 2040
    Minister Kim Seong-hwan Questions Timetable for Ending Coal Power by 2040 Kim Seong-hwan, the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment, stated on September 18 that the government's goal of phasing out all coal power by 2040 may need to be accelerated in light of the climate crisis. During the 7th public forum for establishing the 12th basic electricity supply plan held at the Korea Electric Power Corporation's Nam Seoul headquarters in Yeongdeungpo, Seoul, he remarked, "Given the impact on the climate crisis, isn't it appropriate to consider an earlier phase-out?" He emphasized that the climate crisis is becoming increasingly severe and has become an urgent issue that cannot be postponed, as seen in the recent disaster in Nepal. He noted that while various factors contribute to the crisis, coal power is the most significant contributor, prompting countries worldwide to expedite the phase-out of coal power.Currently, South Korea operates 60 coal power plants with a total capacity of approximately 39.5 gigawatts (GW). Considering their designed lifespan of 30 years, 39 of these plants are expected to be decommissioned by 2038, while the remaining 21 will still be operational in 2040.Minister Kim highlighted that the key focus of the forum is how to orderly phase out the 21 plants that will not reach the end of their designed lifespan while minimizing the burden on the public.Among the 60 coal power plants, five state-owned enterprises operate 52, while private companies own eight. While public power companies are discussing transitioning to renewable energy, private firms must also consider profitability.He stated, "Public companies should be able to phase out coal power in an orderly manner while transitioning to renewable energy, but this process will not be easy. Private companies face profitability issues, so it is crucial to design a plan that considers all these factors for responding to the climate crisis and ensuring an orderly phase-out of coal power plants."Additionally, he stressed the need to secure alternative energy sources and address the increasing electricity demand due to the spread of artificial intelligence (AI).He concluded, "A significant amount of energy must be transitioned to renewable sources and some nuclear power, and considering the total demand increase due to the AI revolution, this is a more complex challenge than anticipated. I would appreciate wise suggestions on how to phase out coal power to mitigate the impact on the national economy while addressing the climate crisis, as this would greatly assist in establishing the 12th basic electricity supply plan."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-18 10:40:00
  • Kim Nam-hee: Prosecutors Role in Protecting Human Rights Should Not Be Unduly Restricted
    Kim Nam-hee: Prosecutors' Role in Protecting Human Rights Should Not Be Unduly Restricted Kim Nam-hee, a member of the Democratic Party, commented on the recent passage of the "Sexual Violence Crime Punishment Act" in the National Assembly, stating, "We must prevent situations where the role of prosecutors as protectors of human rights is excessively restricted, leading to harm for the public." On September 18, during an appearance on CBS Radio's "Park Seong-tae's News Show," Kim clarified, "I am not saying that prosecutors should conduct investigations. It is unreasonable to claim that a prosecutor has investigated simply because a victim's interview is used as evidence in exceptional cases." Previously, conflicts arose within the ruling coalition during the legislative process aimed at abolishing prosecutorial investigative powers, particularly regarding the evidentiary value of recorded interviews between minor sexual violence victims and prosecutors. According to the Sexual Violence Punishment Act, statements and investigative processes involving victims under 19 must be recorded and preserved. These recordings can later be recognized as evidence under limited circumstances. In this context, Kim argued that the evidentiary value of interview recordings should not be excluded, while fellow party members Kim Yong-min and Park Eun-jung from the Justice Reform Party contended that provisions related to evidentiary value should be removed to abolish prosecutorial powers. Kim stated, "Victims are often in very unstable situations, causing their statements to change frequently. Therefore, it is crucial to preserve evidence from any given moment to ensure that it can be used in court after the investigation." He added, "Evidentiary value should only be granted in very exceptional cases, such as when a victim is deceased, missing, or has a disability. Protecting victims in desperate situations is the state's responsibility, and I cannot accept that abandoning this is part of the spirit of prosecutorial reform." Kim expressed relief that many members of the Legislative Judiciary Committee understood his concerns and that the amendments were fortunately passed. He emphasized the need to create safeguards to prevent concerns about investigative gaps from becoming a reality regarding the abolition of supplementary investigative powers for prosecutors, stating, "If issues arise during the operation of the system, we must make necessary amendments to improve it." * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-18 10:36:00
  • Orum Therapeutics Shares Plunge After BMS Halts Clinical Trials for Drug Candidate
    Orum Therapeutics Shares Plunge After BMS Halts Clinical Trials for Drug Candidate Orum Therapeutics' stock fell sharply after news that Bristol Myers Squibb (BMS) has halted clinical trials for a drug candidate licensed from the company.As of 10:22 a.m. on September 18, Orum Therapeutics shares were trading at 37,400 won, down 16,000 won (29.96%) from the previous trading day.The steep decline in stock price is attributed to BMS's decision to discontinue the development of the acute myeloid leukemia treatment candidate, BMS-986497 (ORM-6151), which it had acquired from Orum Therapeutics.On September 17, Orum Therapeutics announced that the asset transfer agreement with BMS had ended following the clinical trial halt for BMS-986497. The two companies had entered into the asset transfer agreement in October 2023 for ORM-6151, utilizing Orum Therapeutics' TPD²-GSPT1 platform.At that time, Orum Therapeutics received a $100 million upfront payment. The total agreement, including the upfront payment and future milestones, was valued at up to $180 million.Subsequently, BMS renamed ORM-6151 to BMS-986497 and conducted Phase 1 clinical trials in the United States, Europe, and Canada. However, after reviewing clinical data, BMS decided to discontinue the program and informed Orum Therapeutics that it would no longer be obligated to make additional milestone payments.Orum Therapeutics is not required to return the $100 million upfront payment already received. This announcement was made as the anticipated milestone payments exceeded 10% of the company's assets based on last year's business report.Orum Therapeutics stated, "We plan to focus our research and development capabilities on our pipeline using the DAC platform."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-18 10:32:10
  • Jensen Huang Predicts Nvidias Chip Sales Will Double Next Year
    Jensen Huang Predicts Nvidia's Chip Sales Will Double Next Year Jensen Huang, CEO of Nvidia, has projected that the company's chip sales will double next year. Amid Nvidia's forecast of a 70% increase in revenue for the coming year, Huang has expressed confidence that demand for chips will grow rapidly due to a global expansion in AI investments.On September 17, Huang spoke at a meeting with King Charles III of the United Kingdom and other key figures in the AI industry at Dumfries House in Ayrshire, Scotland. He stated, "Nvidia expects to sell twice as many chips next year as this year, because AI is contributing significantly across many industries and countries." He added, "We can see that people in almost every country want to invest in AI right now."Nvidia's flagship product is its graphics processing units (GPUs) for data centers, which include the Blackwell and Rubin chips. However, Nvidia does not disclose total chip sales figures. Huang previously mentioned that the company shipped 6 million Blackwell GPUs during the fourth quarter of last year.Last month, Nvidia surprised investors by raising its revenue guidance for next year to a 70% increase, significantly above the initial estimate of 44%. Since then, Huang has repeatedly expressed optimism about future performance, alleviating concerns surrounding the guidance.During a technology conference hosted by Goldman Sachs in San Francisco on September 10, Huang also predicted that cybersecurity would be the next major application for AI. He emphasized, "We believe that revenue can grow by 70% year-over-year, and we are confident in this."At the meeting, alongside Huang were Demis Hassabis, Google's chief scientist, and Sarah Pryor, CFO of OpenAI, among other prominent figures in the AI sector. They discussed recent concerns regarding AI safety. King Charles III highlighted the potential catastrophic consequences if AI is misused, stating, "We need sufficient controls in place before it is too late."In response, Huang asserted, "We must make this technology safe, thorough, and responsible," advocating for what he termed "responsible optimism." Hassabis also acknowledged the risks, stating, "While the possibility of something going wrong is certainly not zero, I am very confident and optimistic that we can work together to address these risks and find solutions to these technical challenges."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-18 10:32:00
  • Toss Waives Payment Fees for Small Businesses During Chuseok Holiday
    Toss Waives Payment Fees for Small Businesses During Chuseok Holiday Toss will fully support payment fees for online small merchants during the Chuseok holiday period.Toss's operator, Viva Republica, announced on September 18 that it will waive Toss Pay transaction fees for online small merchants from September 21 to 27.The support applies to transactions made using Toss Pay money or accounts at online small merchants during this period. The fee waiver will be automatically applied without a separate application process, and any fees incurred by merchants will be refunded in early October. Toss also provided similar fee support for online small merchants during the previous Lunar New Year holiday.In addition to the fee waiver, Toss will offer features such as point accumulation and coupon distribution at no cost through Toss POS. The Toss Order, a table ordering service, will also be available for free.A Toss representative stated, "The holiday season is a time when transactions for small businesses and merchants increase significantly, so we have prepared this support to alleviate the burden of payment fees. We will continue to seek ways to support small businesses in the future."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-18 10:28:10
  • Telecom Companies Advance Payments to Partners Ahead of Chuseok
    Telecom Companies Advance Payments to Partners Ahead of Chuseok Telecom companies SK Telecom, KT, and LG Uplus will make early payments to their partners ahead of the Chuseok holiday. On September 18, the three companies announced this decision to support stable business operations and alleviate financial burdens for their partners. SK Telecom will pay 131.8 billion won to over 200 partners and more than 250 distribution networks. The company also operates a 'Payment Prompt' program, which ensures that small partners receive 100% of their transaction payments in cash within two business days. Additionally, a growth fund to support liquidity is continuously available. KT will make early payments totaling 160.7 billion won. The company is also establishing and operating a low-interest cooperation fund worth 100 billion won. LG Uplus will pay 25 billion won in advance. This payment will be made in full cash to small businesses that have signed purchase contracts for materials, construction, and services. The company also operates a growth fund worth 75 billion won and a direct financial support program of 30 billion won.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-18 10:28:10